About Side by Side
Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Lake Geneva.
Caring about the people around you. When you do that, you do much more than foster kindness and goodwill; you help build a stronger, more connected community. That’s precisely what our mission is at Side by Side:
About Side by Side
Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Lake Geneva.
Caring about the people around you. When you do that, you do much more than foster kindness and goodwill; you help build a stronger, more connected community. That’s precisely what our mission is at Side by Side:
Volunteers responding to neighbors in need of compassion, hope, community resources, and financial assistance.
Support Since 2006
The inspiration behind Side by Side was Sal Dimiceli, a local philanthropist and businessman who started his own nonprofit organization to help poverty-stricken families in Greater Lake Geneva in 1989—The Time is Now to Help. Seeing that the need was greater than what his organization could provide, he generously provided start-up funds for Side by Side in 2006.
What started as a passionate, caring group of core volunteers that served 82 families in its first year with $23,000 in financial aid, has blossomed into an organization that’s helped more than 2,000 families with nearly $500,000 in assistance.
Facts and FAQs
Many people are struggling to make ends meet in your community. Whether it’s sickness, an accident, job loss, or another misfortune, your neighbors are faced with times when they can’t afford everyday living expenses. In fact,
- More than 1,000 of every 7,000 households in Greater Lake Geneva earn less than $20,000 annually.
- Nearly half (46 percent) of Lake Geneva grade school students qualify for reduced or free lunch.
Fortunately, caring neighbors are all around to help volunteer and donate to make our mission a reality at Side by Side. We’re able to help with the short-term assistance people need to help overcome life’s challenges.
What kind of assistance do you provide?
Side by Side provides financial help to pay for rent/mortgage, utilities bills, or prescription costs. We also provide referrals to other community resources where people can get help.
How often is support available?
We can give one grant of financial support per year to those clients in need, but we’re here to offer referrals to other resources any time and as often as a client needs.
Who receives help?
After completing an application and screening by our trained volunteers, we’re able to help qualified clients.
Who supports Side by Side?
Because local churches, service organizations, and community volunteers dedicate their time and talents to Side by Side, donations go to help those in need.
Where else can people go for help?
How can I get help?
Complete your application ahead of time then come for a brief in-person interview to see if you qualify on the third Tuesday of each month from 6:30–7:00 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ (715 Wisconsin Street, Lake Geneva). Call (262) 581-5927 for more information.