PLATINUM2021

Walkin in My Shoes Inc

There's Still Life In This SOUL

aka Walkin in My Shoes Inc   |   Kenosha, WI   |  www.walkininmyshoes.org

Mission

Walkin' In My Shoes, Inc.'s mission is to decrease the homeless population in the nation by networking with public, private, religious and other organizations to form strong alliances supporting the efforts of those who want to have and who deserve a better life.

Notes from the nonprofit

For 13 years, Walkin' In My Shoes has created opportunities to lift people out of poverty, off the streets, and into permanent housing. In an effort to help disadvantage youth, veterans, older adults, women and children make a better life for themselves and future generations to come for the betterment of our youth. Our organization's greatest strength is transparency, accountability, and self-sustainability donors would want to see continue for years to come. We invite every donor to come visit our organization to see firsthand how their contribution is making a difference to others in need. We thank you for your consideration. Jo Wynn CEO and Founder of Walkin' In My Shoes

Ruling year info

2006

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Ms. Jo Anna Wynn

Main address

2211 50th Street

Kenosha, WI 53140 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

56-2542534

NTEE code info

Alliance/Advocacy Organizations (P01)

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.

Sign in or create an account to view Form(s) 990 for 2020, 2019 and 2018.
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Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

One, is our stabilization plan, to continue to provide immediate housing for our youth living on the streets of Kenosha, Wisconsin. This secures a future for homeless high school students trying to stay in school and graduate high school, so they can move on to college. We hope to eliminate any worries young teens may have of where they would live while remaining in school. 2.) Provide permanent housing for chronically street homeless [youth, veterans, and older adults] who have been living a life on the streets of Kenosha for more than 10 years.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

IDA'S HOUSE Youth Program

The purpose of IDA'S HOUSE Youth program is to provide immediate temporary housing for street homeless youth and homeless high school students until they graduate high school, and move on to college. We hope to eliminate any worries young teens may have of where they would live while going to school.

Population(s) Served
At-risk youth
Homeless people

Where we work

Awards

Humanitarian Award 2013

Gateway Technical College

Our results

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.

Number of homeless participants engaged in housing services

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adolescents

Related Program

IDA'S HOUSE Youth Program

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Decreasing

Context Notes

The numbers were based on the homeless we came in contact with, who were living a life on the streets of Kenosha, WI.

Number of youth receiving services (e.g., groups, skills and job training, etc.) with youths living in their community

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adolescents

Related Program

IDA'S HOUSE Youth Program

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Decreasing

Context Notes

All 32 youth obtained part time and full time employment in Kenosha, in part of our soft skill training program.

Number of youth who demonstrate that they have developed/maintained healthy eating habits

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Adolescents

Related Program

IDA'S HOUSE Youth Program

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Decreasing

Context Notes

Youth developed good eating habits by participating in our Health Livin' Preventive Program. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, less sugars and budgeting to keep food on the table.

Average hourly wage of clients who became employed after job skills training

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Young adults

Related Program

IDA'S HOUSE Youth Program

Type of Metric

Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues

Direction of Success

Decreasing

Context Notes

Teens and young adults 18-24 years old obtained wages above minimum wages up to $12.00 an hour, in part of our soft skill training program.

Number of youth who plan to attend post-secondary education

This metric is no longer tracked.
Totals By Year
Population(s) Served

Social and economic status

Related Program

IDA'S HOUSE Youth Program

Type of Metric

Context - describing the issue we work on

Direction of Success

Decreasing

Goals & Strategy

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.

Charting impact

Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.

Our aim is to expand program services with a combine programs like “Caden' Kitchen Cooking Class” and “Aftercare Outreach Re-Entry Program.” We aim to provide job skill training for juvenile ex-offenders and teach individuals how to cook.
Caden’ Kitchen Cooking Class will teach both the parent and child; how to cook homemade nutritional meals grown locally from our Seed to Harvest Community Garden. With the focus of keeping a hot meal on the dinner table 7 days a week. We want to end childhood hunger, childhood obesity, food allergy, food waste, juvenile diabetes, food allergy, food budgeting and so much more. This effort would benefit homeless and low to modern low-income individuals and families in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Aftercare Outreach Re-Entry Program would expand to provide more space, life skills and employment training through cooking. Which would help incarcerated young adult and women transition back into mainstream society.

We would fundraise by using our social media platform, host local community events, and foundation grants. Walkin’ In My Shoes understand that funding is our main source for financial assistance from our donors.

In 2013, the city of Kenosha donated 1.3-acre land to Walkin' In My Shoes. With the purpose of developing a community shared garden for the homeless, low income families, older adults, people with disabilities, and community residents, at no cost to them. We have had team volunteers from the Kenosha County UW Extension Horticulture Center and Gateway Technical College Horticulture.
In 2014, After receiving an overwhelming response, our organization added more garden beds for families to grow their own vegetables.
In 2015, we added service learning programs for community youth groups, Girls Scouts of Southeastern Wisconsin, Boys Scouts of America and the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha. They have participated in the garden and distributed locally grown vegetables to local shelters and food pantries.In 2016, we provided cooking lessons to teach after school children and their families how to cook.
In 2018, in our 5th garden season, we collaborated with the Veterans Administration Medica

Walkin In My Shoes Accomplishments and Recognition:
In January 2018, Walkin' In My shoes signed its third contract with the Kenosha County Sheriff's Department to provide aftercare and outreach services to both the women and men inmates at the Kenosha County Detention Center and Kenosha County Jail. Individuals who were identified homeless, prior to their incarceration receive service.

In January 2016, Speaker of The House Paul Ryan invited Jo Wynn to be his guest at Ryan’s swearing-in ceremony at former President Barack Obama last State of The Union Address in Washington, DC. Wynn was recognized by him, and his office as a "Poverty Fighter" representing Kenosha, Wisconsin.

In October 2016, Walkin' In My Shoes was awarded its second accreditation for two consistent years with the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau Charity of Accreditation and Seal.

In December 2016, Walkin' In My Shoes signed its third contract with the Kenosha County Sheriff's Dept, to provide aftercare to inmates.

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

done We demonstrated a willingness to learn more by reviewing resources about feedback practice.
done We shared information about our current feedback practices.
  • How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

    To identify and remedy poor client service experiences

  • What significant change resulted from feedback?

    Being able to submit client signature authorization onsite outdoors via laptop computer with internet to easily identify veterans and scan signature authorization form from client to refer them to the VA for immediate housing assistance.

  • Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

  • What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

    It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection

Financials

Walkin in My Shoes Inc
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Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

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Connect with nonprofit leaders

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Build relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.

  • Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
  • Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
  • Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations

Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.

Walkin in My Shoes Inc

Board of directors
as of 10/20/2021
SOURCE: Self-reported by organization
Board co-chair

Ms. Vermetrias Warner

DO YOU, Inc.

Term: 2006 - 2025


Board co-chair

Mr. Ronald Smith

Retired Auto Worker

Term: 2014 - 2025

Davenia S. Nelson

Outreach Community Church of God

Martha R. Vasquez

St. Margaret Mercy Hospital

Stanley Washington

Washington's Accounting & Tax Service, LLC

Tracy Ngewaki

Gordon Food Services

Deloris Walton

Aurora Medical Center

Cynthia Reed

Arvato Digital Services

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

  • Board orientation and education
    Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes
  • CEO oversight
    Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes
  • Ethics and transparency
    Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes
  • Board composition
    Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes
  • Board performance
    Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes

Organizational demographics

SOURCE: Self-reported; last updated 9/20/2021

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity
Black/African American
Gender identity
Female, Not transgender (cisgender)
Sexual orientation
Heterosexual or straight

Race & ethnicity

No data

Gender identity

No data

 

No data

Sexual orientation

No data

Disability

No data