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What We Do

Guest House of Milwaukee has a proven track record of assisting even those with the most severe challenges to overcoming homelessness regain and maintain their independence, including: mental illness, addiction, physical and cognitive disabilities, and history with the criminal justice system.

Core Programs

Our programs and services are designed to address the full spectrum of homelessness, including prevention, shelter, clinical services, housing, and long-term case management.

HOUSING & PREVENTION

Our Prevention, Rapid Re-housing, and Permanent Supported Housing programs help more than 450 Milwaukee County men, women, and families secure a permanent, affordable place to live, and ensure that participants are able to maintain that housing once placed. We provide outreach and financial assistance to help bridge any income gaps, and employ case managers to connect our clients to community resources that support their independence.

CLINICAL SERVICES

The Guest House Counseling Clinic is certified by the state of Wisconsin and is dedicated to providing quality outpatient mental health and substance abuse counseling services to clients at Guest House and the community in general. We focus on serving adult men and women with mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring diagnoses. Our staff delivers client-centered, trauma-informed, and gender-responsive counseling. Through one-on-one and group work, our clinic uses an individualized, goal-oriented approach to help individuals work on their issues of drug and alcohol addiction, stabilize their mental health, and connect with community resources to maintain sobriety and mental health for long-term success.

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CASE MANAGEMENT

We provide long-term case management for men and women who are working their way through addiction, mental health issues, or both. The key staff members in this program are known as Care Coordinators, and they work to empower clients by tailoring services and resources to meet the individualized needs of those served by this program. Together, the client and the Care Coordinator choose from an array of supportive services ranging from protective payee services, to physical therapy, spiritual care services, to mental health resources and so much more.

SHELTER

We provide shelter to 86 men experiencing homelessness each night of the year. This includes 12 veterans, 52 emergency shelter guests, and 22 men in an intensive recovery program.  Those in intensive recovery are working on their issues with substance abuse and/or mental health. We begin with addressing the guests’ basic needs of hot meals, a warm bed, fresh bedding, showers, clothing and laundry facilities. Then, we match each individual to a qualified case manager to develop an individualized plan for independence, and remove barriers to achieving one's goals.

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Approach

Guest House continues to be a model of innovation in addressing the root causes of chronic homelessness, and providing the comprehensive services necessary to overcome it.

HOLISTIC CARE

We focus on the entire individual, which goes far beyond providing a warm bed and access to regular meals.

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PERSONALIZATION

We work closely with each individual to identify the challenges that led to seeking services, and then create a personalized plan to ensure access to the right supports.

EDUCATION

Critical learning opportunities are available to all guests and clients, including courses on financial literacy, health & wellness, goal setting, and responsible parenting.

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LONG-TERM SUCCESS

Our Care Coordinators stay connected to guests and clients over the long-term to ensure they are equipped for success regardless of life changes or housing transitions.

COMMUNITY HEALTH

We're invested in the overall well-being of our entire community, providing fresh produce, clinical care, and other support services to individuals and organizations beyond those whom we serve directly.

JOB TRAINING

We work collaboratively with organizations such as Easterseals and Goodwill to connect our guests with critical job training and access to employment opportunities.

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Results

In 2019, 96% of our supported permanent housing participants maintained their  placement, or successfully transitioned to unsupported permanent housing.

We remain a leader in the city of Milwaukee where an estimated 77% decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness over the past decade has been reported (source: City of Milwaukee Point in Time Program, January 2020).

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"Guest House saved my life."

Roberto, Guest House Client

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