Marshfield Clinic recently contributed $750 to the Northwoods Alliance for Temporary Housing (NATH) to help continue to operate the Frederick Place homeless shelter.

NATH is a nonprofit service organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness. Frederick Place opened its doors in January 2011.

Shelter Executive Director Tammy Modic said that since Frederick Place opened, it has served 166 residents, with the majority coming from Oneida and Vilas counties. Residents from Forest, Langlade and Lincoln counties have also been served.

The people NATH is able to help are families with children and individuals who lack fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, said NATH President Bill Miller.

“Too many people find themselves in places not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks and abandoned buildings,” he said. “Many people discharged from health care institutions lack the resources and support networks needed to obtain housing. People discharged from domestic abuse facilities often have no place to go other than back to their abusive situations.”

Based on the annual increase in utility disconnects in the area from 2007 to the present, many individuals/families each year are put at risk of losing their homes, Miller said.

“Poverty rates continue to climb in our area due to the poor economic climate and, each year, more children are on our schools’ free or reduced lunch rolls,” he said. “In addition, area food pantries continue to report record numbers of people needing assistance.”

NATH exists to provide safe, temporary and emergency housing, and basic needs for families and individuals who are homeless, while nurturing and promoting self-sufficiency and independent living.

“Our organization is currently working diligently to raise funds needed to staff, operate and maintain Frederick Place in Rhinelander into the future,” Miller said. “Contributions like this one from Marshfield Clinic are so appreciated and will go a long way toward helping us achieve our goal of raising the approximately $200,000 that is needed annually to continue operations.”

Homelessness has a tremendous impact on the health of individuals, especially children, said Rick Clark, administrator, Marshfield Clinic.

“The Clinic recognizes that this organization makes a positive difference in the health and lives of our neighbors in the Northwoods, so we’re happy to assist,” Clark said.

For more information or to contribute, contact NATH, P.O. Box 913, Rhinelander, WI 54501; call Frederick Place at (715) 369-9777; or visit nathnorthwoods.com.