URGENT UPDATE: WAVE Project, a vital nonprofit in Macomb County, is urgently seeking $68,000 in donations to continue providing shelter for hundreds experiencing homelessness this winter. With temperatures dropping, the organization, based at the Trinity Christian Community Center in Warren, Michigan, faces a critical funding shortfall that could jeopardize its overnight shelter operations.
Since its inception in 2018, WAVE Project has been a lifeline for those in need across metro Detroit. Last winter alone, the organization facilitated over 6,300 stays, offering warm beds and hot meals to community members who often have nowhere else to turn. “There are literally hundreds of people in our communities, not just Wayne County but Macomb County and Oakland County, experiencing some form of homelessness,” stated Todd Gordon, co-founder and executive director of WAVE Project.
As winter approaches, WAVE Project aims to keep its shelter open seven days a week for 12 weeks, starting at the end of December. The need is urgent. “We will have a line at our door at like 6 p.m. some nights,” Gordon added. Unfortunately, some of their partners can no longer contribute as they have in previous years, intensifying the need for immediate financial support.
In a heartfelt plea, Sheila Chauvin, project manager for the Macomb County Winter Shelter, expressed the emotional toll of potentially closing their doors: “We’re going to be very heartbroken if we can’t be open, along with all the people that need us.” Every contribution, whether it’s $10 or thousands, plays a crucial role in ensuring the shelter remains operational.
WAVE Project’s budget covers essential services, including on-site security to protect volunteers and guests, as well as utility costs to keep the aging building warm. “People wouldn’t believe what it actually costs to keep this place warm,” Gordon explained. If they can secure $41,000, the shelter can operate for at least a month, but without the full funding, its future remains uncertain.
In addition to providing shelter, WAVE Project also offers mobile showers and clothing distribution, helping individuals regain dignity and hope. “It is very important to us and all the people in our community that are unhoused that they have somewhere to go,” Chauvin emphasized.
This is a critical moment for WAVE Project and the many individuals relying on its services. The organization is calling on the community to come together and assist in raising the necessary funds within the next 23 days.
What’s Next: Community members and supporters are encouraged to donate through WAVE Project’s official channels. Every dollar counts in this fight against homelessness, as the organization races against time to ensure its doors remain open and vulnerable individuals are kept out of the cold.
Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds. The clock is ticking, and every moment matters for those who depend on WAVE Project this winter.
