Editor:

2011 is the year of the opening of Frederick Place. After an unbelievable open house, dedication and blessing of Frederick Place celebrated by over 900 guests and the media who toured the successful renovation, Frederick Place opened it’s doors on Jan. 31, 2011, to aid those experiencing homelessness.

More than 350 volunteers have contributed over 7,000 hours of work to fully renovate Frederick Place into a beautiful warm home. With professional case management, we believe that Frederick Place will transform lives, just as it has been transformed into a place of dignity, love, hope and respect.

In just 11 months, Frederick Place has been home to 101 residents, and provided 3,564 nights of shelter. As noted above, Frederick Place is not just about shelter; it is about professional case managers who support a resident-based plan of success and change, which support independent living and positive lifestyles. Frederick Place is living up to its vision of providing a place of dignity, respect, safety and hope. Just last week, the opening of Frederick Place was identified as one of the top news stories for 2011, noting that lives have been saved and changed by coming and staying with us. What a joy to know that others see the benefits of caring for the poor and homeless!

2011 has been a year filled with community fundraisers, including regional soup suppers, rummage sales and raffles. New activities included meat raffles, movies on a frozen lake, polar plunges, fun-runs and a golf scramble. Raffles included an art raffle and a sports raffle for a pair of kayaks and a road bike. With these fundraisers, corporate and faith based contributions, and individual contributions, NATH has an estimated income of $ 208,000 for 2011. Expenses are estimated to be well within budget through outstanding contributions of meals and supplies and other volunteer support. 2011 operating expenses are estimated at $165,000. My thanks to you, our staff, all our friends, and our community partners who are leading the way forward.

Improvements in telling our story are aided by the development of our DVD and a Power Point presentation of Frederick Place. We welcome all opportunities to share our vision and operations. In 2012 we will continue to strengthen our partnering with faith-based communities, and to enhance our efforts at forming corporate and business partnerships and at sharing our vision and successes with foundations.

I am excited about our future. Our future is one of providing essential services to the most vulnerable that only want a safe, clean place to lay their heads and to begin to believe in the future and hope. Together, let us give them a chance, now and for the future.

Bill Miller, Rhinelander
NATH President