By Rita Lord
Northside News

The Paul Rusk Resource Center officially opened May 9 in the lobby of the Public Safety Building, 115 W. Doty St. Rusk, a long-time Northsider who made enormous contributions to the community, passed away in October 2020.

The following information is taken from the Dane County Sheriff’s Facebook page:

The Paul Rusk Resource Desk is officially open for business in the lobby of the Public Safety Building. Named for the former county board supervisor who passed away in October of 2020, the reentry resource desk is aimed at connecting clients who need resources after being released from the Dane County Jail.

Volunteers will staff the desk from 1–5 pm, Monday–Friday, or as volunteer hours allow. A variety of resources will be offered, such as hygiene products and clothing, along with information about local food pantries, homeless services, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT), BadgerCare/FoodShare, substance use treatment providers, transportation, medical and mental health resources, education and employment opportunities.

“By ensuring people have access to some of the basic services they need, we will reduce the cycle of incarceration,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett.

The resource desk is also available to community members who stop by the desk in the lobby of the Public Safety Building.

Volunteers staffing the desk come from organizations like the University of Wisconsin, Edgewood College, JustDane, Operation Fresh Start and AmeriCorps. Anyone interested in donating clothing for the resource desk can reach out to the Madison Area Jail Ministry (madisonjailministry.org or 608-261-9755).

Interested  in volunteering? Contact Sheriff’s Office Reentry Coordinator Sarah Wampole-Maciejeski at email
wampole-maciejeski@danesheriff.com.