Meet Sue — a St. John’s Ministries volunteer who’s bringing a little extra joy (and some musical flair) to Wellspring with her harmonica class!
Sue first picked up the harmonica about 8 years ago through a class at the Aging & Disability Resource Center of Brown County, which focused on helping seniors engage their minds by learning a new musical skill. Now, she’s sharing that gift with the women at Wellspring, our daytime resource center dedicated to women.
This is what makes our volunteer community so special: you don’t need a specific title or background — just a passion to serve and share. Whether it’s music, art, storytelling, working the front desk, or something else entirely, there’s room here for you. Visit stjohnsgreenbay.org/volunteer to learn more about how you can make an impact.
By investing in the growth of our team — through strategic planning and the support of community donors — we are building the foundation for stronger, more sustainable services. Elevating existing staff into new roles not only fosters professional development but also ensures St. John’s Ministries can continue to expand and meet the growing needs of our community.
Tollef Wienke, Program Coordinator: Transitioning from a Case Manager role, Tollef continues to play a key role in bringing the mission to life by overseeing programs that support our guests and visitors during and after their shelter stay. As Program Coordinator, he will conduct home visits and street outreach, and manage guest programs like Storing Dignity and Lasting Change.
Ali Fortney, Case Manager: Ali is transitioning into a full-time case management position where she’ll continue to walk alongside guests as they work toward stability and long-term success. Ali will help guests and visitors identify barriers, set goals, and access vital resources like employment, healthcare, and other community services.
Berta Gaither, Peer Support Guest Advocate: Berta, a former seasonal employee and Shelter Coordinator, will walk alongside guests as a certified Peer Support Specialist. She will provide encouragement, advocacy, and practical support to help guests set goals, build life skills, and connect with recovery and community resources.
These staff transitions reflect more than just new titles — they represent the deep commitment of St. John’s Ministries to walking alongside our guests with dignity and compassion.
St. John’s Ministries is taking steps to expand our services, beginning with those offered to women. The Green Bay City Council unanimously approved an updated Conditional Use Permit including a 20% increase in our Women’s Shelter capacity — from 58 to 70 women — and the removal of the November 1 to April 30 dates of operation, marking a tremendous opportunity and season of growth.
The new permit allows St. John’s Ministries the flexibility to plan for and respond to the community’s homelessness crisis, including a possible expansion to offer six months of program-based shelter from May 1 to October 31, as a distinctive, separate offering from our six months of emergency shelter (Nov. 1 – Apr. 30).
Beyond shelter, women are finding hope and healing at Wellspring, our year-round daytime resource center. Visits rose by more than 50% last year, with hundreds of women receiving case management, stability planning, safety, and motivation as they take their next steps.
We would like to extend our thanks to our neighbors and advocates for speaking in support of St. John’s Ministries at various city meetings, and to the Green Bay City Council for supporting our efforts. We are proud of our 19 years of providing emergency shelter and look forward to expanding the type of shelter we provide.
If you would like to invest in our growth and support women experiencing homelessness, please contact our Director of Development, Amy McNeely at amcneely@stjohnsgreenbay.org or (920) 617-8716.
A personal reflection by Lydia Davison, Mission Integration Coordinator
Sometimes the most powerful reminders of why I’ve dedicated my life to this work come in the smallest interactions.
One summer morning, I was walking into the Micah Center when a man waiting outside asked me a simple question: “Are we open today?”
From May through October, our daytime resource centers — Micah Center and Wellspring — close on Tuesday and Friday mornings for “Drop-In Days,” during which we provide essential services like showers, laundry, and meals at our separate shelter facilities.
I smiled at the man and let him know that yes, we will be open. It was a Tuesday so the Micah Center wouldn’t open for another 20 minutes. He nodded and waited patiently. I went about my day but have not been able to shake the way that he phrased his question.
Not, “Are you open today?” But, “Are we open today?”
That small word — we — stopped me in my tracks. For this guest, St. John’s Ministries is more than a hot meal or a shower. It is his place. His community. A space where he belongs. St. John’s Ministries isn’t “us” and “them.” It’s always we.
Our Director of Case Management Services, Clayton, always reminds us that we should treat everyone who comes seeking our services like it’s the worst day of their life — because for many, it is. We can provide hope and support, as we would hope to receive on each of our worst days.
This sense of we is at the very heart of St. John’s Ministries. Each year, hundreds of individuals in Brown County experience homelessness, often carrying with them layers of trauma, health challenges, and barriers to housing. St. John’s Ministries steps in as the shelter of last resort, offering a safe place and walking alongside each person toward a better tomorrow.
In May 2024, Renard’s Catering reached out to St. John’s Ministries with a simple question: Would you like to receive leftover food from our events? Since St. John’s Ministries was providing breakfast every day and lunch twice a week, the answer was an easy yes.
Ron and Meg, a longtime volunteer duo and husband-and-wife team, began picking up food from Renard’s Catering every Monday. What started as a small task quickly grew. Five more volunteers have since joined in, forming a team that calls themselves “Five Loaves and Two Chickens.” The team now includes Linda and Tim, Helen W., Faye N., Cheryl G., and Cindy. Together they dedicate four to five hours each week collecting, transporting, organizing, and preparing donated food.
The effort expanded in April 2025 when Stonewood, an event venue just minutes away, began donating as well. Now the team often fills three vehicles with food donations.
“This was the perfect opportunity. People are hungry, and we can do something about it.” — Ron and Meg
Each year, St. John’s Ministries volunteers provide more than 900 meals, including 360 dinners. Thanks to these donations and the dedication of the Five Loaves and Two Chickens, only three dinners last season required purchasing food. Extra meals are also shared with Crisis Café, CRE8 Church, All Seasons Transformation House, and StreetLights Outreach.
“We take pride in what we are not throwing away.” — Ron
