“We lost our first homeless person out there and, sad to say, there’s going to be more unless we get a wet shelter going,” Krisor said.
Krisor felt bad because since First Step Services shut down, there were needy people that needed to be cared for.
Krisor said she also believes the city could have done more to save the shelter.
Krisor said Pedicard had his ups and downs but was a "sweet gentleman and very kind-hearted."
First Step Services really enjoyed caring for not only Pedicard but everyone that had respected their helpfulness.
The frozen body of a homeless man was found in a downtown Kenosha used car lot just a day after local clergy warned that homeless people are at risk of dying this winter due to a lack of adequate shelter.
Since Darryl Pedicard had nowhere to go, he found shelter in a used car lot and slept in there overnight. Unfortunately, he did not make it and this sparked everything for the Grace Welcome Center.
"We really hope his life isn't in vain but it causes some urgency in that we need some emergency shelter for those who are homeless," Krisor said.
At that time, Krisor was very worried about how other homeless people would stay alive during the winter. They had no shelters to go to.
First Step Services: The original shelter that provided safe spots for the homeless individuals or families.
Darryl Pedicard: The homeless man that was a usual at First Step Services. After they shut down, he was the man who stayed in the car for shelter but unfortunately didn’t make it through the night.
Grace Welcome Center: The shelter that provides hope and food and shelter for the homeless. After Pedicard’s death, that sparked them to fill the shoes of First Step Services and help those in need.
Brenna Adamczyk an 8th Grade at Harborside Academy (May 2022)