The past few years have been full of a lot of change and transition for everyone. Sometimes change signifies a time of loss, challenges or anxiety, and other times change brings opportunity, an exciting new beginning and new chapter full of possibilities. Often changes have a bit of both. For us at Social Justice Center, witnessing the loss, struggles and hardships experienced by individuals and families in our own backyard and around the world because of the COVID-19 pandemic — as well as the challenges and uncertainty we and our members faced as organizations — led us to reflect on our priorities, vision and our role as an organization and as part of the community. Over the last year at the SJC, we launched our resource advocacy program and Community Resource Hub; expanded our Willy Street Pantry program with weekly open hours and new partnerships including Second Harvest, Safer Communities’ O.A.K. Box program, and the Hygiene Bank Association; and explored building renovation options to replace out-of-date building systems and remodel our building’s façade. And yet, there are still more major changes happening at the Social Justice Center.
Saying Goodbye and Best Wishes to Tenant Resource Center
After 23 years at the SJC, one of our four founding organizations, Tenant Resource Center, is relocating to a larger office to facilitate an increased capacity to serve the renting community and work for housing justice – an ever-growing need that’s more vital than ever. Their new office will be open on January 8th, 2024 and is located at 2510 Winnebago St., in the Union Corners area. Their new office will offer more privacy for walk-ins, a larger waiting area, and additional public parking. TRC says, “While we are sad to say goodbye to our office in the Social Justice Center, we are excited for the opportunities that will come with a larger space.” We’re sad too, but we are also very happy for TRC and know that the amazing staff will thrive in their new office and be able to do even more for their clients. From all of us at the Social Justice Center, we wish the TRC team nothing but the very best in this next chapter.
A Very Warm Welcome to Madison Street Medicine
But SJC is very happy for another reason too! In the new year, we will be welcoming the newest member of the SJC family: Madison Street Medicine! We are so thrilled that Madison Street Medicine (MSM), formerly called MACH OneHealth, will be moving to SJC and that we are able to provide a new home base for the essential services they provide to individuals experiencing housing insecurity in the Madison area. Nicole Fay, Executive Co-Director of Madison Street Medicine, says “MSM is absolutely thrilled to have a new home after over a year of looking.” We have developed a great relationship with MSM over the years, while collaborating to support our unhoused neighbors and connect folks to healthcare and housing services, and we look forward to strengthening that partnership further.
Upcoming Changes to SJC’s Open Hours
With all of these big transitions and the holidays coming up, there will be some changes to SJC’s hours. The calendar below shows when SJC will be open to the public over the next month or so. In case you require a different format or the images are loading improperly, here are the details:
SJC Hours for the 2023-2024 Holiday Season
- Monday 12/11 – Thursday 12/14: 9am – 6pm
- Friday 12/15: 11am – 5pm
- Saturday 12/16 & Sunday 12/17: closed
- Monday 12/18 – Thursday 12/21: 9am – 6pm
- Friday 12/22: 11am – 5pm
- Saturday 12/23 – Monday 1/1/24: CLOSED
- Tuesday 1/2: 9am – 5pm.
Beginning Tuesday, January 2nd, SJC’s regular hours will be 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday (excluding occasional holidays, including Martin Luther King Day on Jan. 15).
The last day members of the public can access Tenant Resource Center in their current location (at SJC) will be Thursday December 21. For details and updates, check TRC’s website.
Madison Street Medicine begin working out of the SJC in the new year. The date their new location will open is tentatively set to some time during the second week of January, specifics will be shared as soon as they are available.
