Kenosha WI, (March 21, 2023) Shalom Center announced Jolynn (JoJo) Franklin has been named Diversion Specialist for the nonprofit devoted to providing emergency food, shelter, and guidance to the Kenosha community. As a diversion specialist, she will work with those who are at imminent risk of homelessness or those who have lost their housing by assisting them with finding alternate solutions to entering shelter or unsheltered homelessness.

Franklin, a mental and behavioral health professional with 27 years of experience with AODA and those in crisis, has a long history of advocating for clients to obtain resources and enhance support networks.

“All of us at the Shalom Center see diversion as one of our top priorities. In 2022 we diverted 551 individuals from homelessness,” said Tamarra Coleman, executive director of Shalom Center. “With JoJo’s experience as a dedicated and reliable mental health and crisis technician, I am confident in our ability to continue to serve our community.”

In the role of Diversion Specialist, Jojo will work closely with community partners to quickly divert and prevent individuals and families experiencing a housing crisis from becoming homeless by providing intervention services, connect them to the needed resources and work to develop creative, alternate housing solutions.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to work with the Shalom Center. I have a long history of advocating for clients to obtain resources and enhance their support networks. I am looking forward to serving and leveraging my training and experience in diverting individuals and families from homelessness,” stated Franklin.

Shalom Center is a 501(C)3 in Kenosha County serving as the only homeless shelter, largest food pantry, and longest running nightly meal program. Shalom Center is a community resource that provides housing, food, guidance, and support to individuals and families in need across our community. Our mission is simple: serve the community through food, shelter and supportive ways. We believe that this mission will help realize a greater vision: self-sufficiency by maximizing the potential of people we serve