Who We Are
1 home
Serving 5 FAMILIES
run by a team of staff and volunteers
supported by hundreds in our community.
Freeing single mothers from cycles of crisis through a Christ-centered community
Empowering single mothers → transforming generations
The Hagar House Inc. is a faith-based nonprofit entity founded in Wausau, WI in June of 2021. It was founded by Jessica Bretl, along with several community partners committed to providing support to single mothers in the greater Wausau area.
Mission
Freeing single mothers from cycles of crisis through a Christ-centered community
Vision
Empowering single mothers → transforming generation
The home provides a variety of services including temporary relief from living expenses, life-skill classes, debt assessment, and budgeting, as well as strong female mentorship. The length of stay will be approximately 6-18 months; an individualized plan will be based upon each family’s needs and goals. There will be a continual and intentional emphasis on residents working towards self-sufficiency and establishing their own healthy home. We know cycles of crisis can be broken and that real hope takes time and commitment.
What is our Why?
The Hagar House is crucial to the health of our community. The following are a disheartening reality of social determinates of homelessness and single mother homes.
- In the 2020-2021 school year, Wausau School District identified 134 students they deemed were from homeless families.
- The countyoffice.org lists children below the poverty line in female parent/guardian home at 29.1% in Marathon County. Totaling an estimated 4,300 single mothers.
- The Justice Policy Institute published an article in July of 2020 stating, “the average state cost for the secure confinement of a young person is now $588 per day, or $214,620 per year, a 44 percent increase from 2014. Where community-based programs provide individualized and wraparound services based on the unique needs of each youth and can cost as little as $75 per day. Such programs engage the family, connect the youth to supportive neighborhood resources, and consistently produce better outcomes than confinement.”
Children of Single Parent Homes Are...
5x more likely to commit suicide
10x more likely to drop out of high school
78% of the current prison population were raised by single moms
3 Phase Plan
Phase 1
Assess individual needs and establish clear goals with a case advocate.
Phase 2
Actively working toward measurable goals, with regular meetings with case advocate.
Phase 3
Complete goals and plan for moving into their own home. Celebrate their journey!
6 Sphere Focus on Human Health
Areas of Focus
Spiritual
We provide a Christian environment, with a loving staff, and help connect our clients to local churches. We offer Bible studies and materials to help them grow in faith and navigate difficult situations.
Emotional
We offer a safe and supportive environment to process heavy emotions, and connect our clients with local counselors, pastors, and support groups.
Physical
Safety is our top priority, and we encourage whole-body health through local resources such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and other similar organizations.
Financial
We offer relief from living expenses and provide financial accountability during their stay. We conduct a detailed assessment of their debt, credit score, and budgeting skills, and create a clear plan for financial freedom and wise money management.
Relational
We help our clients connect with our caring staff, other moms, mentors, and community groups.
Life Skills
We offer classes on a variety of topics, including parenting, resume and interview preparation, conflict resolution, communication, healthy relationships, personal hygiene, cleaning, and health and fitness.
How We Meet These Needs For A Central Wisconsin Single Mom
Establishing specific goals for self-sufficiency
Physical and Emotional Health Care Services Coordination
Legal Services Coordination
One on One Mentorship Program
Group Bible Studies, with a focus on personal purpose, identity, and freedom
Financial relief, assessment, and planning
Life Skills Classes on a variety of topics
- Parenting
- Healing from Childhood Trauma
- Resume and Interview Prep
- Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Healthy Relationships
- Budgeting
- Personal Hygiene
- Cleaning
- Health and Fitness
Who We Are
Leadership for The Hagar House | A Christ-centered Home for the Central Wisconsin Single Mom
Each one of these people has been called to be a light in their own way, to serve The Hagar House and free each Central Wisconsin single mom from cycles of crisis.. They come from all walks of life, with vastly different backgrounds, all with one common goal; to free single mothers from cycles of crisis through a Christ-centered community. In the words of the Executive Director – “God sent people who punched holes in the darkness…”
Story of Hagar
Hagar was a single mother who knew the pain of feeling hopeless. She was burdened with the task of raising her child alone and struggling to survive. When she found herself in the unforgiving desert with no hope in sight, that’s when God saw her and met her in her difficult situation. He refreshed her with water from a nearby well and gave her the strength to carry on.
Later, she and her young son were cast out of their home with little to no resources. Once again, God intervened and answered the child’s cries for help. In his compassion, God provided for them.
All around us today are modern-day widows and orphans who are struggling. They often feel alone and neglected, facing challenges we cannot imagine. They feel invisible and unheard, but God SEES and HEARS the single mom, and as His people, we should strive to help them.
