Fundraiser helps Milwaukee crisis center care for children while families cope with crises
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A Milwaukee crisis center hosted a fundraiser Wednesday night to make sure they can keep their doors open to help children.
La Causa houses and cares for children to allow their families time to deal with various challenges.
It was a fun night for a serious cause: making sure that children are cared for so that families can cope with crisis situations.
La Causa's Director Karl Schoendorf said, "The need continues all the time. It never does go away."
Schoendorf told us the phone calls come in 24 hours a day.
Challenges like homelessness, domestic violence, or mental or physical health issues can strain families. So La Causa offers help by caring for children for up to 72 hours.
He said, "When you see someone is in a tough situation and you bring them in, and the kids are warm and have baths and they're happy for the moment. That's an immediate success."
Some of the challenges that arise are unexpected, but others like the effects of violence happen regularly.
And families come to La Causa in a variety of ways. Schoendorf said, "A person can walk up to our door, ring the doorbell and say they need some help or call us on the phone or be referred by hospitals, teachers, police."
All the money raised at Wednesday night's fundraiser will help cover overhead costs, like food and heat.
Part of the long-term goal is to help families heal and return to a sense of normalcy.
Schoendorf said, "For families, that means they have a support system. We've become a support system for a family, and they can call us time and time again."
Donations are welcome year-round, including cash and items like toothbrushes and diapers.