Keeping Families Together in Campbell County

“Local charities change lives.”

For more than fifty years, the Council of Community Services has been walking alongside Campbell County families in times of need. One of the most pressing challenges our community faces is homelessness. And while the causes are complex, our response is rooted in one simple belief: everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Phase II: Building Stability for Families

In 1999, CCS opened a six-unit apartment building designed specifically for families transitioning out of homelessness. Known as our Phase II supportive housing program, these apartments are more than just four walls. Families living here are supported through case management, skill-building classes, and wraparound resources that help them move toward long-term stability.

Parents learn how to manage household budgets, strengthen parenting skills, and set goals for employment or education. Children gain the stability of a home environment while their parents build the tools to thrive. It’s a model that has quietly, but powerfully, changed lives for decades right here in Gillette.

Family Units at the Shelter

In addition to Phase II, CCS also offers family units at the shelter. Renovated in 2023, these spaces allow families to remain together in one of four private dorm-style units. Each includes its own bedroom to fit the whole family, and a shared kitchenette and living area so families can maintain routines, cook meals, and find comfort even during difficult times.

On average, three families stay in these units each month, which represents two to ten children who otherwise might face nights separated from their parents. At CCS, we know that preserving the family unit is essential to creating lasting stability.

Because Family Means Everyone, Pets Included

One of the unique aspects of CCS’s approach is that we welcome the entire family, pets included. We are proud to be one of the only shelters in Wyoming that allows people to stay with their pets. Too often, individuals or families are forced to make an impossible choice between safety and keeping their beloved animals. At CCS, no one has to face that decision.

“When families come to CCS, they don’t have to choose between safety and their pets.”

A Community Approach

Homelessness doesn’t exist in isolation, and neither does our response. CCS works closely with other local organizations to ensure that families have access to the right resources at the right time. Whether it’s connecting survivors of domestic violence with specialized support, or collaborating with crisis shelters for children and teens, our focus is always on building a network of care that meets real needs here in Campbell County.

The Impact Stays Here

Every family that moves into Phase II housing finds a place to start fresh. Children sleep safely under one roof, and pets stay right where they belong, with their families. These are the moments your support makes possible. Each one is a story of stability, comfort, and hope, happening right here in Campbell County.

“Every dollar stays local. Every impact is right here in Gillette.”

We’ve already built the programs our community needs. Now we need you to help us sustain them.

When you give to the Council of Community Services, you’re not funding an idea or a plan. You’re investing in programs that are already changing lives every single day, right here at home.

Founded in Gillette. Serving Gillette.