On any given night in Milwaukee, dozens of the county’s nearly 900 homeless people sleep unsheltered on the streets. Because people stay in shelters only temporarily, and others move in as some move out, the point-in-time count of 900 means nearly 10,000 local people have experienced homelessness for at least some time during the past year.
As the crisis remains a concern in the city, places like St. Benedict the Moor Chapel at 930 W. State St. help people survive and get back on their feet.
Since opening in 1970, St. Ben’s Community Meal Program has provided hot meals, showers, haircuts, clothing and an address to receive mail for city residents living at or below the poverty line. In addition to everything else, St. Ben’s also helps people obtain birth certificates, which are often essential for people to get a state ID, driver’s license or other documents they need for employment, housing and social services…