New tradition arises from old

A Superior tradition returns this weekend with a campfire, cardboard shelters and chilly people determined to make a difference.

"A night without a home" kicks off at noon Saturday. For 24 hours, volunteers will brave the elements at Center City Park on Tower Avenue and Belknap Street. During that time, they will collect donations of winter clothing, sleeping bags, money and food for organizations that serve the homeless -- Harbor House Crisis Shelters, Solid Rock Mission and the Center Against Sexual And Domestic Abuse. The event is reminiscent of the annual sleepouts hosted by chiropractor, Dr. John Lange, since 1985.

"It's kind of been reborn," said organizer Tom Wondolkowski, "a second generation."

A newspaper article hooked him into the project. It told of Lange's intention to retire and stop holding the sleepout.

"I might be crazy but, yes," Wondolkowski said. "I saw the article in the newspaper last year and said, 'This can't die.'"

After a year hiatus, the event is back with a new name, new location and new time. Lange's event took place in December. Now, it kicks off Homeless Awareness Week.

Wondolkowski has done his share of ice fishing and tenting, but doesn't expect to be that comfortable during the sleepout.

"Quite frankly, I don't know how much sleeping I'll be doing," he said. "I can't imagine a cardboard box would be too comfortable."

And that, Wondolkowski said, is the point.

"This isn't about me," he said. "This is about a mission in this coalition to help the homeless and raise awareness in the community."

The event fills the needs of a hidden population.

"In Superior, we do not see most of the homeless," wrote the Rev. Barb Certa-Werner, who runs Harbor House Crisis Shelters, in an e-mail.

Yet every day there are an average of 600 people in Douglas County without homes. Some couch-surf, moving from one place to another until they have no options. Some bunk down in the cold near railroad tracks or under viaducts with no barrier but a sleeping bag. Others stay with friends or relatives.

"Lord knows how many people are sleeping in their cars," said Wondolkowski.

Being homeless deeply affects families, Certa-Werner said.

"There are many times when a mom comes into the office and breaks down crying -- not sure what to do, where to go and how to support her children," she wrote. "It is heartbreaking to know that this mom is trying as hard as she can and just can't get anywhere."

Harbor House Crisis Shelters provide transitional housing for women and children and a link to community resources. The organization helps an average of 300 people a year, but has to turn away another 100.

Certa-Werner listed some of the reasons for the high number of homeless residents. They include:

• Lack of affordable housing.

• Poor rental or credit history.

• Inability to work due to mental illness or addiction.

• Lack of community resources to assist the homeless.

• Lack of living wage jobs.

Another big reason is domestic violence.
"Most people don't know that most of hopelessness in the area is due to domestic abuse," Wondolkowski said.

"The statistics are very, very high because people have to flee their homes with nothing when they get out of a domestic violence situation," said Julia Jenson, CASDA program director.

Yet about 40 percent of these women who flee violence at home are not able to find room at domestic shelters, she said.

A high percentage of veterans are also homeless, Wondolkowski said, which makes the event timing appropriate.

Local businesses embraced the project. Although he didn't ask for anything from them, Wondolkowski said, Arrowhead Printing and Thompson Rental both stepped forward to volunteer services. The noon chapter of the Superior Rotary provided $500 in seed money for the event and Barker's Island Inn has pledged to help.

A core group of five plan to spend all 24 hours at Center City Park. Youth from Darrow Road Wesleyan Church also plan to spend the night in cardboard boxes at the park.

"I'm just hoping a lot of people show up and show support," Wondolkowski said.

Maria Lockwood covers public safety. E-mail mlockwood@superiortelegram.com or call (715) 395-5025.