APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Organizations in the Fox Cities remind the public that there are resources in our community that can help people in desperate situations.
This reminder comes after a sentencing hearing for a man who admitted to robbing a bank after losing his job because he felt that going to jail was a better outcome than homelessness.
“I would just like to apologize for what I did, I’m sorry that I had to involve other people and that I didn’t seek help or advice to do something more proper,” Martin Schiedermayer said in court Thursday afternoon before a judge sentenced him to five years in prison followed by seven years of extended supervision.
The judge and the prosecutor both expressed sympathy for Schiedermayer’s situation, but didn’t excuse his decision to rob the bank and put others in danger.
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Over at the Salvation Army of the Fox Cities, development director Kristal Knudtson said it’s heartbreaking to see situations like this happen when there are so many resources in the Fox Cities.
Schiedermayer had told police that he had lost his job and was having trouble applying for unemployment aid. Job placement and getting clients unemployment aid are things that the Salvation Army case managers frequently help their clients with.
They also do educational programs for incarcerated individuals to help them get jobs once they are out of jail.
“What you can feel good about is that there are neighbors in your community that want to put hope in your hopelessness,” said Knudtson. “We’re here to help. Asking for help isn’t weakness, it’s courage.”
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She said the Salvation Army of the Fox Cities also helps people with food insecurity and can connect people with resources to help them find housing options.
“We want people to know that going to jail, it’s a quick fix, not a solution,” Knudtson said. “If we can get with individuals who are looking for help, this early help can avoid desperate situations like this story.”
