IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD ACCOMPLISH IF THE ONLY GOAL WAS KINDNESS

THE CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU

Sheboygan Area Pay it Forward is a local 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to helping those in need. We provide assistance to individuals and families in our community that are in need of essential items. Our focus is on providing basic items, such as household items, toiletries, hygiene items, as well as support and education to help people in our community achieve a better quality of life. Join us in our mission to make Sheboygan a better place!

Our mission is to provide charitable and humanitarian services for the residents of Sheboygan County including but not limited to providing a safe space for those experiencing homelessness. 
About Us image
The Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward, Inc provides a non-faith based warm, safe space for our peers experiencing homelessness to have access to resources and a bathroom. We work consistently with our clients/peers on habit change, budgeting, goal setting, and the steps involved to reach those goals. Employment goals including interview help, resumes and finding prospective employers who are willing to work with our clientele is also  provided. We work closely with other local entities to ensure that all our clients' needs are being met to ensure positive life changes for them. The space is a calm, sober, family friendly environment for everyone to feel safe and welcome.

We can't do what we do without your help

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION

Looking to help out in your community? We could always use some help.

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SUNDAY LUNCHES

SUNDAY LUNCHES

Sunday is the only day that no lunches are served in the community. We will have lunch for our peers from 12-2 every week and we need your help to make that happen. Please fill out your name and what you're bringing for lunch. Lunches usually feed around 40 people. Click the button below to be taken to the sign up calendar. If the date is highlighted blue, it does not have anyone signed up for that day and is available to sign up on.

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Your gift today will ensure we can continue to fight homelessness and relentlessly support our peers facing homelessness. We’re committed to helping people get back on their feet and onto their next chapters.

Zeffy

Zeffy

Because of you, Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward has been able to keep its doors open for the past 14 months, assisting people who are experiencing homelessness. While we aggressively apply for grants that we feel support our mission, the process is long and with no guarantees of approval. Recently, we learned we would not be funded through our Community Development Block Grant Public Service program. It was determined by the Department of Planning and Development that our public service did not meet their following criteria: *Did not meet one or more of the defined priorities *Requested amount exceeded available program funding *Value per beneficiary *Lack of other funding sources to support the project Regardless of this decision, there is still a huge need in our community. Since opening our doors on March 8, 2023, Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward has had 11,502 visits from 276 peers and community members at our center. If you share in our passion for providing a safe space where people who are experiencing homelessness can seek shelter, resources and get their basic human needs met please consider giving a monetary donation. With your support, we'll continue to do the work. The Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward, Inc is a 501c3 nonprofit and your donations are tax deductible. Imagine what we could accomplish if the only goal was kindness.

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Mailing Address

Mailing Address

If you opt to not use Zeffy, that's ok. Checks can be made out to Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward and mailed to: Scott or Kathleen LaBonte 2210 Sunflower Ave. Sheboygan, WI 53081

In-Kind Donations keep our programs running. Help offset our program costs by donating an item from our Wish List, either by shopping directly for delivery from our Amazon list or purchasing new items from the store of your choice and dropping them off any day at 1229 Erie Ave 7am to 7pm. For more information contact: Scott or Kathleen LaBonte at 920-287-7298

Early Career Leadership Development Program at Kohler

Thank you to the group from Early career leadership development program at Kohler for their help today at our center! We really appreciate all the hard work! They came in and sorted, organized, and labeled donations. Literally saved us weeks of work. More pictures in the gallery on this page.

Thanksgiving 2023

Our first Thanksgiving at the Day Center was a success! A huge thank you to everyone who donated to make this possible! We served 28 of our peers.

A huge thank you to our local law enforcement for the donation of the the honey buns! It is greatly apreciated!

American Legion Post 83

It is generous donors and awesome supporters like this that make it possible for us to keep our doors open. Thank you American Legion Post 83!

Post 83 Facebook Page

April's Numbers

We continue to grow! We have completed 26 new intakes in April for a total of 74. We have had 621 peers in the 29 days that we were open in April, averaging 21 peers per day. We have filled 19 homeless peer requests beyond the daily necessities we provide. We have filled 5 emergency household requests and 2 move-ins. We have had 2 interactions with police: 1 peer arrested on a warrant from a different county (not prompted by us) 1 incident of drug/paraphernalia pick up that was left behind.

Koke MC was in the house!!!

Koke MC and the Positivity Booth was in the house at SAPIF! He brought us some much needed cleaning supplies and deodorant. Don't forget to Like and follow him on Facebook to see all of the amazing things he does!

Koke MC's Facebook Page

March's Numbers

MARCH NUMBERS: Since opening on March 8th we have completed intakes for 48 peers. We have had 428 peers in 24 days averaging 18 peers per day. We have filled 8 homeless peer requests beyond the daily necessities we provide. We have filled 7 emergency household requests for peers who have secured housing. We have had 3 interactions with police prompted by us: 1 for a medical emergency 1 for a mental health well check 1 for drug paraphernalia left with personal belongings in a locker after hours. We have asked 2 peers who are on the sex offender registry not to return so we can insure the safety of the children that visit the Center regularly. 2 intoxicated peers were asked to leave without incident one day. We've also had overwhelming community support and I wish I kept track of the number of donors that dropped off daily. Starting today I will ❤️ We have so much gratitude for everyone who has made this possible for us. We couldn't do what we do without you ❤️

Scott LaBonte

Founder/Executive Director

Kathleen LaBonte

Director of Operations/Treasurer

Julie DePagter

President

Cindy Busch

Vice President

Shyanne Perreault

Secretary

Kathy Schmidt

Kathy has been involved with our program for 1.5 years. She retired in 2016 from her years of service as Head Seamstress for The American Club in Kohler, WI. Since her retirement she has found her calling in being a respite worker for a medically complex little girl as well and an honorary member of their family. When she is not volunteering her time to those in need. She enjoys sewing, gardening, various crafting activities and spending time with her family and friends. She has opened her heart and home to many, making her Mom, Nana and Great Nana to those in her life both biological and “adopted”. Kathy says “I am humbled and grateful that Scott and Kathleen have invited me on their journey and to be part of an organization that is making a positive impact in our community.”

Rachel Richardson

Sheboygan Press 2023 People of the year

Sheboygan Press 2023 People of the year

12/27/2023

The process to find our annual People of the Year began in November, when we started accepting reader nominations for people they thought made a difference in the community in 2023. We added some of our own nominations, too. Our staff then narrowed the list down to these people, who are our 2023 Sheboygan County People of the Year.

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Sheboygan Press

Sheboygan Press

10/31/2023

Sheboygan Day Center opens larger location as city's homeless resources brace for cold weather.

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Sheboygan Press

Sheboygan Press

2/15/2021

Scott and Kathleen LaBonte coordinated an effort to leave bags of hats, scarves and mittens around Sheboygan for whoever needed them.

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Fox 6 News

Fox 6 News

2/15/2021

We’re all ready to leave the cold temperatures behind, but until it warms up, a Sheboygan couple is paying it forward.

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CBS 58 Milwaukee

CBS 58 Milwaukee

12/25/2022

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Yukare Nakayama meets a Sheboygan couple with a kind heart and an ability to organize. Kathleen and Scott LaBonte's young group Sheboygan Pay It Forward is now in its third year delivering gifts and kindness to area children in need.

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  • 1229 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States