A Short History of the Shelter

The Emergency Shelter was established in 1981 as a non-profit organization to provide homeless men, women, and children safe shelter. Originally, the Shelter operated on a voucher system and all clients were provided shelter at local motels. In 1983, a house was leased from Outagamie County enabling us to provide shelter to male residents only. In 1987, the Emergency Shelter purchased the house at 226 Morrison, Appleton, with a 14 bed and 2 crib capacity. In early 1995, Morrison house was expanded to create a 23 Bed / 2 Crib capacity. The need for still more shelter space existed in the Fox Valley, and in 1997, the Emergency Shelter built its current facility located at 400 N. Division Street in Appleton. At the time, the name was changed to Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley. Our new facility currently can house adult men, adult women and families, not to exceed 75 total residents.