Cornerstones

A draft billowed through the old wooden door of the coffee shop and the wind howled in late March of 2021. We sipped hot coffees while Sister Karen guided us through her winding journey of working with those experiencing homelessness in La Crosse.  “In 2011, I was looking for something and I started to be more present at the Warming Center. What really touched me was knowing people who were experiencing homelessness. I had never really thought about homelessness until I saw people lining up in order to get a place to sleep. I respect and am in awe of someone who can live in a situation of such uncertainty, lack of safety, and basic human needs.”

Sister Karen collaborated with a group of individuals to support the homeless community and their ideas turned to action.. “We [people working alongside Sister Karen] either stayed the night or brought food [to the Warming Center]. In that moment of sharing we realized you can’t just show up one night or bring food for 15 people. That wasn’t enough. It had to be bigger. It had to be systemic. So we made a commitment that we were going to start with ourselves and that led to some marvelous opportunities. We collaborated in setting up the new Warming Center. After that, we continued to meet. We kept asking questions. What do they do after they leave? Where do they shower? Where do they get their needs met and socialize? So we began talking about this daytime respite site which developed into the Fransican Hospitality House. It was a resource for many. COVID, of course, shut it down.”

As Sister Karen continued working with the homeless community she noticed a need for furniture for those moving off the housing list and into housing. She and others worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality. “The need for furniture came up and so we started working to provide household furnishings at no cost. We couldn’t find space to store furniture in the amounts we needed. Then the police started working with the Collaborative To End Homelessness and we were able to create The Exchange. It has been a wonderful experience to be part of that shaping.”

One of Sister Karen’s fondest memories came from delivering furniture through The Exchange. “It was a family with three children, one baby, one five year old, and maybe one that was six or seven. It was a second floor apartment. We brought the things they said they needed. One of them was beds. We walked into their apartment and they had no furniture. There was nothing in their apartment. They were sleeping on the floor. We brought in beds. The first ones we brought in were the twin beds for the little ones. The little guy was so excited. They put the frame together and the mattress on. This kid jumped up on the bed and jumped up and down. Then it fell and it broke and he started to cry. Everyone jumped in and told the little boy that the bed wasn’t put together well and then we fixed it! The best part was the joy they got from having a bed. No kid should ever have to think about that. Now there’s an organization, Sleep In Heavenly Peace, where no child should have to go without a bed.”

​Sister Karen’s feverish heart for service work runs deep through her message to others. “Drawing people’s attention to other activities or opportunities where they can meet people is valuable … I would say to everyone, be a prophet. If that’s your calling. If you can name something that should change and you have an idea because of your values on what it should be, then get going and get involved. We all make a difference, sometimes by what we do and sometimes by what we don't do. We each have a chance to make that choice.”

​Artists' Note: We think of Sister Karen as a pillar and a cornerstone in our community. She helped to establish a solid foundation for those who experience homelessness in a multitude of ways. She mapped out the cornerstones, needs for clothing, food, shelter, furniture, love, belonging, and joy, to help end homelessness in our community.