Stevens Point raises money to house a community member [Video]

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) – A social media post transformed into a temporary home and increased funding for a section of the Stevens Point Police Department this weekend.

Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza has spoken with a community member experiencing homelessness and learned about their time as a volunteer firefighter and car detailer. He learned that the ex-firefighter received $1,000 in benefits and nothing from his volunteering.

“He was put in a situation where he just didn’t have a place to live and he was literally living outside,” Mayor Wiza said. “I worked with a management company locally and we found a property owner that is willing to take him in, but it doesn’t have an opening until Feb. 6. So he’s got a gap to cover with housing between Dec. 15 and Feb. 6, arguably the coldest time in central Wisconsin.”

On Friday, Stevens Point Mayor Mike Wiza posted on Facebook where he asked the community for their support.

“Our community …