IMAGINE WHAT WE COULD ACCOMPLISH IF THE ONLY GOAL WAS KINDNESS
THE CHANGE STARTS WITH YOU
About Us
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.
Day Center
Volunteer with us
We can't do what we do without your help
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
Our winter hours are starting November first and we could use your help.... are you looking to help out in your community? Click the button to sign up.
Learn More
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 50 - 60 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.
Learn MoreDonate
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
Because of you, Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward has been able to keep its doors open, 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. There is still a huge need in our community. Since opening our doors on March 8, 2023, Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward has done a total of 348 peer intakes 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 and are greatly appreciated. Imagine what we could accomplish if the only goal was kindness.
Learn More
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
Thank you!
Thank you to Aurora Medical Center Sheboygan County Medical Staff for their generous donation that made it possible to purchase new computers for our Day Center. We have two new desktop computers for us to use in the office, one new desktop computer for our peers to use while seeking employment and housing, two new laptop computers for Kathleen and myself, and a Canon color printer for the office.
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
SAPIF Happenings
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 PageApril'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 PageMarch'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 ❤️
Who We Are
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
In the news
Sheboygan Press 2023 People of the year
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.
Read More
Sheboygan Press
Sheboygan Day Center opens larger location as city's homeless resources brace for cold weather.
Read More
Sheboygan Press
Scott and Kathleen LaBonte coordinated an effort to leave bags of hats, scarves and mittens around Sheboygan for whoever needed them.
Read More
Fox 6 News
We’re all ready to leave the cold temperatures behind, but until it warms up, a Sheboygan couple is paying it forward.
Read More
CBS 58 Milwaukee
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.
Read MoreContact
- 1229 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, United States
- +1-920-287-7298 - Office
- +1-920-889-1549 - Cell
- kathleen@sheboyganareapayitforward.org
- Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 7am - 3pm Thursday: 7am - 3pm Friday: 7am - 3pm Saturday: 7am - 3pm Sunday: 7am - 3pm