Hartford, Wi – A day of celebration as Interfaith Caregivers was joined by the United Way of Washington County at a ribbon cutting for the expansion of the h.e.l.p. Corner in Hartford, WI.
The expansion of the Hartford Resource Center, 38 Sell Drive, will help fill a need as a one-stop-shop, especially for people with limitations who need assistance such as wheelchairs, crutches, commodes and walkers on a short-term basis. The loans are limited to three months, but an extension may be requested.
Previously, the Hartford h.e.l.p. Corner was housed in the basement of Redeemer Lutheran Church. The new facility allows Interfaith to expand the h.e.l.p. Corner and improve Hartford residents’ access to medical equipment.
“We are ecstatic to be expanding the h.e.l.p. Corner in Hartford through our partnership with the United Way,” said Melanie Gonring, Executive Director of Interfaith Caregivers.
“Together, we will be able to provide even more Hartford-area residents with the medical equipment necessary to recover from an illness or injury at no cost to them.”
United Way of Washington County and Interfaith Caregivers have a long-term partnership that includes the h.e.l.p. corner and Healthy Aging in Place programs. Expanding the Hartford Resource Center to accommodate Interfaith was an obvious way to bring more services to Hartford while also being an efficient and affordable solution for both organizations.
“The h.e.l.p. Corner is a grassroots program that’s growing in leaps and bounds and is truly helping people, especially those who experience unexpected injury or illness,” said “said Kristin Brandner, CEO of United Way of Washington County.
Expanding the Hartford Resource Center is evidence of the United Way’s long-term commitment to the Hartford area. In 2013, a group of Hartford leaders identified an overall lack of government and nonprofit programming in the community.
“Hartford is the second-largest community in Washington County, yet many of the county’s resources are West Bend-centric,” said Brandner. “Our goal with the Hartford Resource Center has and always will be about uniting in partnership with other organizations to better serve the Hartford community in a cost-effective way.”
In addition to Interfaith, Washington County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) occupies an office in the Hartford Resource Center. ADRC offers the general public a single source for information and assistance on issues affecting older adults and people with disabilities regardless of income.
“Our county population is aging and there’s more need for programs servicing our seniors,” said Brandner. “ADRC and Interfaith both recognized the need to provide localized services and engage with Hartford-area residents. We are thrilled to be able to help them do that through the Hartford Resource Center.”
The Threshold, Inc., and the ADRC also are community collaborators of the h.e.l.p. Corner.
For more information about the h.e.l.p. Corner, visit www.helpcorner.org/. For more information about Interfaith Caregivers, visit interfaithwashco.org/.
