The Oshkosh Kids Foundation (OKF) is a Oshkosh, WI based nonprofit that has teamed up with 17 local community partners to introduce the Tiny House Village – Jake’s Network of Hope is thrilled to be one of these community partners, providing furnishings for the residents of each tiny home upon move in.

As of December 2022, there were 100 families on a waitlist for programs that could ultimately refer to the Tiny Homes, showcasing just how desperate the need is in the area. At this time, the  goal was to offer 16 homes available by the end of January, and 32 by the end of June – we are excited to share an update on the project! 

As of mid-March, four families officially moved into their tiny home! Families are referred by school social workers, Winnebago County social workers and the Christine Anne Center, among other similar organizations. 

Julie Dumke, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of OKF, explained the next milestones for the project, and she told us:

• All 16 homes in the first phase ready by mid-March, with an anticipated move in rate of about 1 family/week. 
• Phase 2 begins in April, with the next 16 houses. Completion date of the entire project is the end of June.
• The full time Case Manager is in full swing and programming for the families has begun.

Families who are ultimately selected for the program are those who are homeless or on the verge of homelessness and are also working hard to overcome their situation. The Tiny Homes village goal is to give these families time to get back on their feet and re-establish financial security while offering a fresh start.

“OKF seriously could not have done this without the partnership of Jakes!! We so appreciate the beautiful affordable items that are furnishing the homes and giving our families a place to start over and call home.”

– Julie Dumke, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of OKF