'What do we do now?' Sheboygan peer support center to close due to county funding cuts
SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (CBS 58) — A resource and recovery center in Sheboygan is set to close next month due to proposed funding cuts by the county.
For more than 20 years, the Open Door drop-in center located at 817 N. 8th St. has offered peer support in a safe environment for those experiencing mental illness, homelessness, and other challenges.
"Sometimes I come down here when I'm struggling and talk with the peer specialists to kind of process through some of the more messy things that I deal with," said regular visitor Destinie Thede. "If it does get closed, it's going to be one of those things like, well, what do we do now?"
The center, operated by Vista Care, serves an average of 26 people per day.
"If you got no place to go in the day, you can come hang out, they feed you," said Mark Eggers, who first visited the center a couple weeks ago. "This is a really awesome place. It's not a 12-step program, but it's about sobriety and doing the right thing."
The recent news that the center could shut down soon was distressing to the frequent visitors who have found solace there.
"People care about one another here," said Jackie Scheidt. "They are willing to encourage you and provide that emotional support. You're not going to find that just anywhere."
Sheboygan County's Department of Health and Human Services announced they will be eliminating funding for Open Door in their 2027 budget proposal due to financial constraints leaving the department in a nearly $2 million deficit.
According to the HHS website, reductions are necessary due to rapidly rising costs, despite the county increasing a property tax levy for the department, citing inadequate financial assistance from the state and federal government.
"Over the past few state and federal budget cycles, funding for health and human services related programs has remained stagnant or decreased across multiple programs," the statement reads.
Sheboygan County HHS Director Matthew Strittmater did not respond to CBS 58's request for comment by news time Tuesday.
According to Vista Care, the Open Door drop-in center is set to cease operations on Nov. 30, 2026.
Visitors are concerned about how that will impact the community, especially in the winter.
"I'm just afraid for the homeless people, where are they going to go?" said daily visitor Sheila Oldenburg.
"A lot of people who do not isolate due to having this resource would isolate, and people would feel like they're alone in being able to reach out to somebody," said Scheidt, calling the facility a bridge to care for those in crisis.
In a statement provided to CBS 58, Vista Care's CEO Liz Olive said the county is working with them to suggest alternative resources.
“We know this is a meaningful change for people who rely on Open Door for connection and peer support. Sheboygan County has been a tremendous partner, and our focus between now and Nov. 30 is working together to help individuals connect with other resources and supports in the community.”
Open Door faced similar funding cuts years ago, with plans to close in 2023. A closure was avoided when a second source of funding was obtained by the county.
Its visitors want to save the space and aren't giving up yet.
"If people are willing to reach out to their city and county officials, that's going to weigh heavily on them maybe thinking twice about what they're doing here," said Scheidt.
The Sheboygan County Board has a budget review meeting scheduled for Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.