Who Are We and What Do We Do
Side by Side is a not for profit organization started in 2006 by members of several area churches and service
organizations. We began helping families and individuals with financial assistance in 2007. We are an ecumenical
group. We offer assistance to Badger High School district residents who need help with rent/mortgage payments,
utilities and/ or prescriptions. The only “qualifier” for assistance is demonstrating need by presenting one or more of
those bills, and completing a brief application. No questions are asked about legal status, faith or marital status. We seek to serve “the least of these”.
Despite Lake Geneva’s reputation as a resort community, the majority of residents are blue and white collar
workers or retirees. 15.1% of residents are at or below poverty level. Greater than 50% of students in Badger HS district schools are on the school lunch program. In 2014, we helped 176 individuals or families with an average amount of $351.00. Over $30,000 went for help with rent, another $30,000 helped with utilities, and $142 helped with medication.
In some instances, families were kept from homelessness, and others did not have utilities shut off as a result of our
assistance.
We pay all monies directly to the landlords/mortgage companies, utility companies or pharmacies. Recipients are
given help no more often than once a calendar year. We also offer our resource tri-fold which lists agencies and
organizations in the Walworth County area that offer other types of help such as clothing, food, job search and resume writing assistance, health care, help for military and former military, and housing. Help yourself to one of our green trifolds on the way out of church!
Our funds come from fundraisers grants, and private donations. Many of you have supported us faithfully at our
“Simple Suppers”, Christmas ornament sales, and from generous donations throughout the year. All the monies raised/donated are used solely to help our recipients. We are an all-volunteer organization and even our postage and
advertising and tickets for our Simple Dinners are donated.
Our business meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the UCC Church at 715 Wisconsin
St., Lake Geneva. Those in need of assistance should bring their rent, utility, or medication bills on the third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. to the same location.
If you would like to know more about Side by Side or attend a meeting, feel free to contact Sue Bulla at
(262) 248-4130 or Maureen Redmer at (262) 206-5625.
Thank you for your support at our fundraisers, and thank you for your generous donation on Labor Day weekend at
the second collection!