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The 12th anniversary of Bill and Carol Miller’s vision that turned into a reality, boasted the largest audience and most successful event ever. I was blown away by the number of people sitting at tables, happily chatting and laughing. We have had to increase the size of the venue size not once, not twice, but three times, and it would seem next year we will again need larger accommodations. You, our donors, did that, and I can’t thank you enough. Also playing a role in our most successful event in the last 12 years were Tammy, our Board of Directors, our committees, and our volunteers. Thank you to all who donated services and products for the raffles. Thank you to those who created those delectable baked goods for our annual dessert dash and for all who donated in hopes of grabbing the desired yummy treat. Thank you to all who donated time pulling everything together, transporting items, setting the room up. Thank you to all of you I may have missed. Last, but of course not least, thank you to Katie Specht for all her hard work and dedication that made this year’s shindig the biggest event we ever had!! LYM, young lady!
In the aftermath of the anniversary celebration, I found myself regretting that I did not quell my fear of public speaking so I could say a few words about Tammy. I also missed an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the staff, volunteers, and, more important, the people who truly benefit from your generosity, our residents. What follows is what I imagine I would have said - minus the stumbles, mumbles and pauses.
We celebrate the anniversary today, but our true anniversary date is January 31. On that day in 2011 we flung the door open and welcomed our first resident. Since that day we have never been empty. During the last twelve years we have evolved into a successful non-profit business offering a service. Our customers are the people in whose home we work, and without whom there would be no need for any of us.
Many of our residents come from a diverse and often stigmatized population. We offer our services to those dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism, and significant mental health issues. Some arrive on the day they are released from jail. A significant number are on probation or have a criminal history that makes finding a job and housing difficult. Some have lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and some were fired. Others arrive after being evicted because their wages were not sufficient to support themselves and/or their family. Many have suffered mental, emotional, and sexual abuse and have no idea what a “normal” family is. When their birthdays arrive, it is often the first time they’ve had a cake and people who care about making their birthday special. They arrive on our doorstep beaten down, trusting no one, and feeling like they do not matter. We are tasked with the job of building them back up, while giving them a hand up not a handout.
If I had a dollar for each time I have been asked what I do at Frederick Place, I’d have front row seats for Springsteen’s Milwaukee concert instead of seats in the nosebleed section. Our very name states the service we provide. What is rarely shared with the community is what the staff of Frederick Place does besides answering phones and doors. It is without a doubt a unique place of employment. Our days are unpredictable and can go from calm to crazy in seconds. We share in our residents’ triumphs, but we are also their verbal punching bags. We get screamed at, subjected to expletives, verbally threatened, and have had disparaging things said about us in public. We have had to call “our friends across the street” (our code words for the Rhinelander Police Department) a multitude of times to assist with the removal of very angry past residents who refuse to leave. On any given night we suddenly are in the role of parent, peacekeeper, law enforcement officer, or mediator. Occasionally we are cooks, housekeepers, furniture movers, bankers, and health care providers. Residents come to us for advice and guidance. We help set up email accounts and assist when filling out applications for jobs, housing, and programs available to them. If we don’t know the answer to a question, we know where to send them for the answer. We are here to provide a service that results in the best possible outcomes for our residents. We don’t always succeed, but it isn’t for a lack of trying on our part. We are here to guide them but not do the work for them. We are fair and do not use hearsay to accuse someone of breaking a rule. We are confidants, we do not judge nor criticize unless it is constructive. We respect them and their confidentiality. We celebrate successes and offer comfort when things don’t turn out as they hoped. We can be heard telling them, “Things happen for a reason. You may not see it now, but eventually you will.”
You’ve now reached the “Oscar” moment of the speech I wish I’d presented in person -minus the musical hint to speak faster and get off the stage.
Thank you to my current co-workers Jackie, Katie, Jeff, Linda, Deanna, Kim, and Anna. I know Tammy’s being gone has changed things, yet how we all work together to help our residents and each other will remain the same. Thank you to Jacki, John, Rhonda, and Rich who volunteer their time to cover staff hours when needed. Thank you to all our past volunteers and our current support staff volunteers MJ, Carmen and Becky who work with us in the house to make our jobs easier. Thank you to all the interns who chose Frederick Place to complete an internship and ended up working in a staff role. Thank you to our volunteer maintenance and grounds crew Jim B, Rich, Drew, Gerry and Jim H. Your quick response to anything and everything having to do with the physicality of the house is much appreciated! Thank you to our meal providers, all who have donated Wish List and other items, and our precious Facebook Angels. Thank you to “our friends across the street” who always have our backs. Thank you to my 34 past coworkers. Whether you were here for a couple weeks, months, or years, you played a part in keeping the doors of Frederick Place open and thereby allowed so may to be helped. Thank you to my editor. Without your advice, thoughts, “fixin’” and friendship, I would have given up writing long ago. Lastly, thank you to Rebecca Roeske Mahoney for her 11+ years as our house manager. You are and will always be part of Frederick Place. Finally, my dear donors, thank you for your donations and support that make it possible for us to continue doing the work that sends us home knowing we made a difference.
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