WayForward Resources was Middleton Outreach Ministry during the time period covered by this report. On May 15, we changed our name to remove barriers for clients and better represent our work and mission.
The feedback from our supporters was overwhelmingly positive, with one calling the new name, “inclusive for the larger community, clear, empowering.”
but the most striking is the number of people we served across all of our programs — 6,665. It’s more than at any time in our 40-year history.
WayForward Resources Executive Director Ellen Carlson shares her thoughts on a year of big challenges and transitions.
READ MOREBy the end of the fiscal year, we offered in-person shopping four days a week and drive-thru once a week, while providing deliveries to people unable to come to the pantry. Visitors could select from a wide variety of nutritious, fresh food and personal essentials.
Our housing stabilization programs focus on keeping people in their homes so they can avoid eviction and the trauma of homelessness. Case managers work with individuals and families to provide financial assistance, connections to resources, and other support.
Our Connections Program serves doubled-up households to help them find housing of their own. A young family struggling to find a job says the support they received from Connections and WayForward’s food pantry during those months was key to their stability. “They were very relieved that WayForward became part of their support system and allowed them to have one less worry so that they could focus on their job search,” says Connections Case Manager Nicole Verhagen.
Photo by Ruthie Hauge/Cap Times
We envision a strong community where race-based barriers to opportunity do not exit, and race no longer predicts someone’s stability. Everyone’s dignity is recognized and all have the necessary resources to reach their self-defined goals.
Our partners include businesses, community centers, faith communities, foundations, grocery stores, government, individual donors and volunteers, school districts, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Way, and other nonprofits. One Community Bank supports WayForward and its mission by volunteering to pack groceries for delivery and collecting food donations through a regular drive.
