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Upcoming Events
Community education: Telling your story for effective advocacy
Saturday, October 10 from 10:00-12:00
Watertown Public Library, Community Room
100 S. Water Street, Watertown, WI
Our voices matter. Join Building a Welcoming Watertown for a public education session on using personal stories to advocate for positive change. Learn practical tips for writing effective letters to legislators and letters to the editor that inform, inspire, and encourage thoughtful dialogue.
Our Initiatives
Emergency Warming Shelter
We believe no one should be die for lack of shelter during harsh Wisconsin winters. We began offering emergency shelter services on November 28, 2025. We open when extreme cold or severe winter weather is expected. By January 1st, 2026, we had already been open 13 nights and served 50 unique individuals. In January 2026, we were open 16 nights and served 46 guests. This work is entirely funded by generous donations from our community members. For more details, contact us at welcomingwatertown@gmail.com.
Community Education
At Building a Welcoming Watertown, we believe a well-informed public is important for promoting the common good. We hold community education events on topics important to our mission. Watch for announcements about upcoming educational opportunities.
At our 2024 housing summit, we brought together landlords, tenants, and numerous community partners. In addition to providing education, we connected vulnerable neighbors to available resources for housing assistance.
In 2025, we hosted MILK: How your milk gets to your table, with author Ruth Conniff. This session provided important insights into the vital contributions of Mexican workers to Wisconsin's dairy industry.
Advocacy
In August 2026, in partnership with the Watertown Daily Times and the Wisconsin Coalition for Religious Freedom, we hosted a nonpartisan forum featuring candidates for Wisconsin governor. The forum offered community members an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates, learn about their priorities, and engage thoughtfully with the issues facing our state and communities.
WUSD Community Updates
Our Education Task Force is working to help our community stay informed about the work of the Watertown Unified School District. We provide accessible summaries of school board meetings and important education-related discussions so that community members can better understand the decisions affecting our students, teachers, and schools. Our goal is to encourage informed, respectful civic participation and support a welcoming, well-informed community.
Support Our Mission with Your Donation
Your generous contributions help provide shelter for the vulnerable, educate the community, and empower change. Join us in making a difference by supporting our initiatives to build a welcoming Watertown for all.