Nguyen leads SAM25 Shelter in Shawano with compassion and drive to end homelessness
Unlike a business that can profit from the goods or services sold, a nonprofit business usually has to rely on the generosity of its donors. And that is something that keeps Hung Nguyen, executive director of SAM25 Shelter in Shawano, up at night.
He asks himself, “Where can we find new resources to grow the operation? How do we build capacity, system and processes to meet the needs of our community year in and year out? When fundraising is much harder with lots more nonprofits competing for the same dollar and compassion fatigue is real, what can a small nonprofit in little Shawano do to keep up?”
When listening to Nguyen, his heart for the homeless comes through loud and clear. And, a review of his career shows a pattern of a man who cares deeply about making a difference. Those roles led him to assume the most recent position, one held since August.
Previously, he served as executive director for Habitat for Humanity and for the Mauthe Center for Faith, Spirituality, and Social Justice in Green Bay.
“These experiences have honed my skills in leadership, organizational management, and community engagement, driving meaningful change and fostering sustainable solutions,” he said.
He chose to take the position at SAM25 because he says it deeply resonated with his core values and mission.
“As a faith-based organization, SAM25 embodies the principles of compassion, service, and inclusivity that are central to my own beliefs,” Nguyen said. “We share a common commitment to recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, seeking to find God and beauty in the eyes of those we serve.”
That perspective guides the approach that SAM25 takes to poverty and homelessness. Formed in 2013, a group of concerned citizens motivated by a documentary on homelessness met in a church basement to form a plan to address poverty in the Shawano area and provide resources for housing, food, and health care.
The group worked diligently, and in 2014, SAM25 (Shawano Area Matthew 25) received nonprofit status. The name was chosen to resonate with the mission.
“While I didn’t have a hand in choosing the organization’s name, it played a significant role in drawing me to it. As a fourth-generation Vietnamese Catholic, my faith holds profound personal importance. The lesson of Matthew 25 has deeply resonated with me since childhood, becoming a guiding principle in my life’s mission,” he said.
That passage in Matthew Chapter 25 emphasizes the words of Jesus, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
“We even had the passage read at our wedding and kept it prominently displayed on our refrigerator,” Nguyen added. “As Father Tim Shillcox aptly noted, ‘The truth is often lived out in the margin.’”
Those in the margins are the focus of SAM25. In the last fiscal year, center stats show that there were 1,725 bed nights and 103 overnight guests. Meals were served to 917 guests for a total of 5,175 meals. Additional services included 2,730 resource sessions, 519 guests receiving free clothing, and 560 volunteer hours in the free medical clinic.
It is truly a community effort and one that inspires Nguyen.
He said, “The involvement of the community in supporting our homeless shelter, resource center, and free health clinic is truly remarkable. Despite being a small community, the collective effort to provide these essential services is awe-inspiring. From Girl Scout troops to local businesses and church leaders, everyone contributes to every aspect of the operation.”
As executive director, Nguyen's duties are diverse. He is not only involved in the strategic operation to ensure the smooth operations of the facility and availability of funds, he says he may also be found doing something as small as cleaning a toilet. It is a multifaceted role that he says means a willingness to jump into any task necessary to advance the mission of the organization.
The board of directors helps in recruiting volunteers and spreading the message. There are also some key players; most of them are volunteers. Dr. Kevin Culhane is in charge of the Health Clinic, Chris Cuicci manages the Resource Center, Deb Knope is in charge of the Community Closet/Thrift Store, and Nguyen manages the Emergency Shelter.
Nguyen leans not only on those who support and volunteer, he says that he also relies on a number of mentors who have had a direct impact. One of those is Ryan Kauth, a mentor with the Green Bay SCORE Chapter.
“For over two decades, Ryan and I have maintained a close friendship," Nguyen said. "He serves as a valuable connection, consistently linking me with individuals possessing expertise and resources to aid our endeavors.”
The other mentors he credits are Karina O’Malley and her late husband, Lou, who played pivotal roles in shaping his formative years. He says that they were true mentors; seen both in their lives and by equipping him to pose more incisive questions and navigate challenges with greater clarity and purpose.
Those lessons have helped Hguyen navigate the challenges that come with homelessness.
“One of the significant hurdles we face involves dispelling misconceptions about the homeless population,” Nguyen said. “Understanding that ‘we are them and they are us’ underscores the shared humanity and potential vulnerability many of us face. It’s crucial to recognize that most individuals, including ourselves and our neighbors, are just one paycheck away from experiencing similar hardships.”
Mental health challenges and addiction add complications to the issue. He tackles this head on and works to help others make decisions based on love and compassion rather than fear. Fear, he says, often leads to a mindset that resists change and clings to outdated paradigms.
As Nguyen works to dispel these attitudes, he has the practical task of meeting the demands of continuing the mission. To meet the challenges, there is an annual budget of $300,000 that must be raised. SAM25 also needs a core of 25 dedicated volunteers; what he calls the heart and soul of the operation. Also, there is the need for strategic alliances with other human services agencies in Shawano and Menominee counties.
Yet, despite the obstacles, he finds it all worthwhile when he witnesses the joy of an individual who succeeds in moving from “point A to point B.” As SAM25 serves the community, he understands that there will continue to be a population that needs help. Demographic trends point to an aging population with more disabilities.
While he is realistic and sees a growing need for assistance, Nguyen responds quickly when asked what he would wish for if granted one wish for SAM25.
“That we would work ourselves out of existence,” he replied.
Tina Dettman-Bielefeldt is co-owner of DB Commercial Real Estate in Green Bay and past district director for SCORE, Wisconsin.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Nguyen leans on volunteers, mentors to make SAM25 a success
