MANITOWOC – Michael Etheridge, executive director of The Haven men’s homeless shelter for more than a decade, will leave soon to take a new position in Madison.
“This is bittersweet for me,” Etheridge said. “I love being here and the work I do. But this opportunity presented itself, and it’s a fantastic opportunity.”
He declined to name the organization he will be joining, noting a news release would come soon, but he said it is a larger affordable housing nonprofit where he will oversee many programs and 25 staff.
Working with the homeless for a decade prepared Etheridge for the jump into an organization that focuses on housing. Finding affordable housing is increasingly difficult in today’s world of low housing pools and skyrocketing rental costs.
“Everybody deserves to get housing,” he said.
Etheridge’s passion comes from personal experience. He was homeless, addicted to drugs and unable to find any kind of shelter — making him a poster child for what The Haven does, Etheridge said.
The Haven opened in 2014 and provides homeless men with case management, resource referrals and skills groups. The Haven's website says its mission is to "advocate for homeless men while providing community resources and a holistic approach towards self-sufficiency."
The shelter has helped 489 men since the doors opened, Etheridge said. About 72 men a year use the shelter. The Haven’s capacity is 20.
The organization serves men who might need shelter after they are released from jail, but many come from broken family situations, Etheridge said. Some had to leave their home after a divorce, some were kicked out by their girlfriends, others were told by friends just to go and live with them, that they would help them out, but it didn’t turn out to be a good situation.
Most have deep-rooted trauma and some might have taken their own lives if they hadn’t found The Haven.
He noted society loves to help homeless women, children and animals, adding, “We have to help the men, too.”
Men stay in the shelter for 60 to 90 days. They must have a job and save money for housing. Those stays grew longer during the pandemic and continue today, in large part because rent prices have spiked.
The Haven now encourages men to consider shared housing or moving into a space together as roommates, Etheridge said. That can cut the costs of monthly rent from $1,200 for a one-bedroom space to $500 or $600 in a shared space.
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry recently offered a three-bedroom home The Haven can use to house three men.
“These would be three of our guests who have hit a roadblock with housing,” Etheridge said. “Maybe they’ve had evictions or a bad rental record. This is a chance for them to get back on their feet.”
Etheridge’s last day at The Haven is July 15. A search for his replacement is under way.
The Haven men's homeless shelter is at 1003 Marshall St. For information, call 920-652-9110, send an email to info@thehavenofmanitowoc.org or visit thehavenofmanitowoc.org. Volunteers are always needed.
Contact reporter Patti Zarling @pzarling@gannett.com or call 920-606-2575. Follow her on X @PGPattiZarling and on Instagram @PGPatti.
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