Wellness & Safety Resources
The wellbeing of the community is a top priority in the Near West Side. If you are dealing with housing insecurity, food insecurity, safety threats, mental health, or other challenges, there are a number of resources available to you.
Resources curated in collaboration with Patient Centered Outcomes Research for Employees (PCORE)
Emergency Resources
Safety & Law Enforcement Resources
Housing Resources
Food Resources
Check out this interactive map of emergency food distribution sites throughout Milwaukee.
Stockbox for Seniors matches eligible seniors with food distribution programs.
The Neighborhood House of Milwaukee food pantry is located in the heart of the Near West Side.
Dinners at St. Ben’s Community Meal are served six days a week.
Safety Resources
MPD Hot Spot Sheets provide details on criminal or nuisance activities to MPD..
The Healing Center of Aurora Health Care offers support for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors with emergency services, counseling, and emotional support.
The Sojourner Family Peace Center offers support for those dealing with domestic violence and helps create a path to safety for victims.
Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Resources
Emotional Wellbeing
Emotional Wellbeing relates to understanding personal feelings and coping effectively with stress. It is important to pay attention to self-care, relaxation, stress reduction, and the development of inner resources so one can learn and grow from individual experiences.
1661 N Water St #507, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 522-7512
This counseling service provides a safe space for in-depth psychotherapy that is inclusive and accessible. The center includes 6 licensed professionals and offers a wide variety of therapies from individual, couple, and walk and talk.
Children’s Wisconsin Gender Health Clinic
8915 W Connell Ct, Milwaukee, WI 53226
(414)-266-6750
- This clinic focuses on children and youth seeking assistance with gender identity development and transition concerns. The clinic provides culture, evidence, and faith-based resources.
- This website is a collaboration between the Family Acceptance Project (FAP) and the Institute for Innovation & Implementation to increase family and community support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified (LGBTQ) children and youth to decrease health and mental health risks and to promote wellbeing. LGBTQ youth are at high risk for health and mental health problems related to social stigma.
Mental health coverage is available to all Medicare beneficiaries. Learn how to use your Medicare benefits to access mental health care.
600 W Virginia St #502, Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 276-3122
Mental Health America works to help all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. Its website includes a simple search for resources in the Milwaukee area based on the type of service, primary clients, and accepted payments. Its work is driven by a commitment to promote mental health as a critical part of overall wellness by providing a number of services including prevention services, early identification/intervention, integrated care and treatment, and recovery.
913 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(800) 233-3596
The Milwaukee Behavioral Health center, through the City of Milwaukee Health and Human Services department, provides behavioral health to children and adults battling addiction. The Milwaukee Behavioral Health center also has a 24-hour crisis line at (414) 257-7222.
3940 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53208
(414) 430-3110
Milwaukee BPD Support Group works to support and encourage those with Borderline Personality Disorder, and their loved ones, by empowering them with knowledge and a better understanding of their illness. It also provides a safe and nonjudgmental place to belong.
1915 N Dr. M.L.K. Jr Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212
(414) 344-0447
NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. The organization provides a variety of support groups, helplines, reports, discussion groups, and educational resources.
3070 N 51 st. Suite 510 Milwaukee, WI 53210
(414) 228-0443
SWIM provides resources and capacity building training to local business owners as well as individuals on trauma-based healing to build resilience in the community.
1 West Wilson Street, Suite 627 P.O. Box 309 Madison, WI 53703-0309
OCMH@wisconsin.gov
The Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) supports Wisconsin’s children in achieving their optimal mental health and wellbeing. By encouraging collaboration across child and family service systems in Wisconsin, including state agencies, non government mental health programs, advocates, and people with lived experience, OCMH supports children’s mental health system improvements.
Additional Wellness Resources
Environmental Wellbeing
Environmental Wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is respectful of our surroundings. This realm encourages us to live in harmony with the Earth by taking action to protect it. Environmental well-being promotes interaction with nature and personal environment. Everyone can have a strong environmental consciousness simply by raising their awareness.
Outdoor Environment
Alice’s Garden provides models of regenerative farming, community cultural development, and economic agricultural enterprises for the global landscape. Its urban garden is a welcoming place for people to walk the Labyrinth, join a guided walk in the garden at 6pm on Wednesday nights, or volunteer in the garden.
The organization also has resources related to emotional, intellectual, physical, social and spiritual wellness.
Groundwork Milwaukee works as the administrative body of a cross-city network of community gardens and garden groups with the goal of removing barriers and coordinating resources that lead to improved access to sustainable and equitable community gardening for all Milwaukee residents. The largest garden in the network is Kilbourn Garden, where people can reserve a small plot to plant produce of their choice.
GroundWork Milwaukee also has resources related to social wellness.
KGMB uses a unique combination of community improvement programs, like the Great American Cleanup, and environmental education programs to accomplish its goals. The organization provides environmental education programming for children and community cleanups.
KGMB also has resources related to social wellness.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper is a science-based advocacy organization working for swimmable, fishable rivers throughout the Milwaukee River Basin. For adults 50 and older, the organization has regular events such as nature walks and film screenings as part of their Senior Water Advocacy Network. The website also has a form to report pollution so that the community can work together to identify problems in the waterways.
Milwaukee Riverkeeper also has resources for intellectual, physical and social wellness.
The Urban Ecology Center supports residents’ engagement in nature through equipment rental (bikes,canoes, etc.), Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) promotion, community environmental research, educational programs for children, and birding programs.
It also has resources for intellectual, physical and social wellness.
The Victory Garden Initiative builds communities that grow their own food to create a community-led, socially just, environmentally sustainable, nutritious food system for all. This grassroots movement has various volunteering opportunities to help engage the community in growing their own food.
The Victory Garden Initiative has resources for social wellness.
Worksite Environment
This article from Boston College offers tips for staying safe, comfortable, and productive in temporary workspaces.
This article from the Mayo Clinic explains how having proper posture in personal work environments is crucial for health in at-home offices.
Financial Wellbeing
Financial Wellbeing involves the process of learning how to successfully manage financial expenses. Money plays a critical role in our lives, and not having enough of it impacts health as well as workplace and academic performance. Financial stress is repeatedly found to be a common source of stress, anxiety and fear for college students.
Locations vary by service
211 OR (877) 947-2211
211 connects people with nonprofit and government services in their area, including rent assistance, job access loans, pregnant and new parent assistance.
(414) 449-4777
The Community Advocates organization provides advocacy and services to Milwaukee County residents and families. These resources include rent assistance and other financial resources.
1020 N. 12th St, 2nd Floor Milwaukee, WI 53233
(414) 482-8801
The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Milwaukee is certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and accredited by the Council of Accreditation (COA). The organization’s counselors can assist and coach participants to achieve financial goals such as eliminating debt or consolidating payments..
(414) 882-7440
The City of Milwaukee, in partnership with Riverworks Development Corporation, has created the Financial Navigator program. Through this free service, Milwaukee residents can connect remotely with a trained Financial Navigator to receive one-on-one guidance on managing their financial issues. Residents can call to receive help on a variety of financial topics including budgeting, mortgage assistance, and credit scores..
(414) 906-2700
The Social Development Commission (SDC) offers financial programs to help Milwaukee residents move beyond poverty. Whether assistance is needed to save for a car or home, SDC’s financial literacy coaches can help Milwaukee residents create a budget, reduce debt, improve individual credit scores, and even create a plan to save for retirement. In addition to financial literacy, SDC has helped Milwaukee County residents keep more of their money during the tax season with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. By helping taxpayers take advantage of credits like the child tax credit, SDC helps families increase their annual income through our free tax preparation service..
(414) 263-5450
The Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) provides individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening or expanding businesses with access to critical resources such as responsible financial products and quality business and financial education. WWBIC focuses on individuals (particularly women, people of color, veterans and low income individuals) who face barriers in accessing traditional financing or resources in pursuit of their dreams and economic well-being..
(414) 374-1800
TThe YWCA of Southeastern WI has a multi-faceted Personal Financial Management program that provides individuals with foundational financial know-how, from budgeting to credit building. Services include: Group instruction offered virtually throughout Milwaukee and Racine covering a host of financial topics, including budgeting, credit, predatory lending, savings techniques, and education financing; One-on-one budget and credit coaching; Financial case management.
Intellectual Wellbeing
Intellectual Wellbeing involves having an open mind when new ideas are encountered and continuing to expand one’s knowledge. It encourages active participation in scholastic, cultural, and community activities.
Milwaukee Recreation (the Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation & Community Services) serves to strengthen and extend the bond between public education and the community. Milwaukee Recreation’s mission is to enrich and strengthen the community by promoting healthy lifestyles, personal development, and fun through memorable recreational and educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities.
Milwaukee Recreation also has resources related to environmental (outdoor), emotional and physical wellbeing.
WCS works with youth who are involved or at risk of becoming involved in the juvenile justice system.
Resources related to emotional and social wellbeing are also provided by WCS.
Occupational Wellbeing
Occupational Wellbeing is about enjoying personal occupational endeavors and appreciating individual contributions. This dimension of wellness encourages personal satisfaction and enrichment in one’s life through work.
The Center for Disease Control, in addition to its regulation of workplace safety, has a website that informs employees and employers on how to order a Worksite Wellness Resource Kit. This is unique to each state and has unique tools to assist worksites with implementing procedures and rules that improve the workplace.
Also see Workplace Health Promotion page.
(414) 383-7792
The Community Warehouse is a non-profit, faith-based organization that provides deeply discounted home improvement materials to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations; models biblical principals; demonstrates authentic relationships; job skills training and provides employment for background challenged people.
(414) 763-5815
HIR Wellness offers intergenerational, communal, and culturally rooted mental health services, wellness programming and training, facilitated with the mindset that healing occurs in relationships, alongside culture, and within community.
325 Swanton Way Decatur GA 30030
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors is an association for like-minded health officials who are committed to the advancement of chronic disease prevention and control. The organization provides professional development, capacity building, and program work to improve prevention, treatment and workplace management of chronic illnesses.
(262) 254-7888
The Wellness Council of Wisconsin is an organization that hosts a network of members who are working towards healthier workplaces. The Wellness Council has various resources and tools such as a data center and job board. This is a nonprofit organization primarily aimed at employers.
(414) 342-9787
The Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership (WRTP) is an industry-led worker-centered and community focused nonprofit workforce intermediary dedicated to linking people with family sustaining jobs. They help match employees with potential employers and continuously work with job applicants to develop their job skills.
Burnout Risk
Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.
This blog shared stories and advice to help leaders and teams banish burnout in their organizations, so their employees can come to work healthy, happy, and ready to work. Each article covers a different topic and has unique tips to prevent burnout.
(507) 284-2511
This article titled “Job Burnout: How to spot it and take action” from the Mayo Clinic shares ideas on how to assess your current work-stress levels and evaluate how to mitigate any burnout. It lays out the symptoms, potential causes, and treatments for burnout.
(262) 780-3120
This article from WTW titled “How employers can help prevent employee burnout” shares the steps that employers can take to prevent burnout in their employees.
Physical Wellbeing
Physical Health relates to maintaining a healthy body and seeking care when needed. Physical health is attained through exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and paying attention to the signs of illness and getting help when needed.
The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center serves Milwaukee’s Near West Side, offering a wide variety of fitness, recreation and programming opportunities to area residents. An annual membership or a day pass is required for entry to the facility. The center has a gymnasium that is available for gym basketball or indoor walking and a weight room.
Milwaukee Recreation (the Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Recreation & Community Services) serves to strengthen and extend the bond between public education and the community. Milwaukee Recreation’s mission is to enrich and strengthen the community by promoting healthy lifestyles, personal development, and fun through memorable recreational and educational experiences for people of all ages and abilities.
Milwaukee Recreation also offers resources related to environmental (outdoor), emotional and physical wellbeing.
The Organization for Active Seniors in Society (OASIS) is an adult community center offering a variety of programs and activities for individuals over the age of 50. Members enjoy free use of the senior-friendly fitness center which offers more than 15 weight resistance machines, three treadmills, two ellipticals, and four exercise bicycles. Some classes require a nominal fee.
Social Wellbeing
Social Wellbeing helps individuals perform social roles effectively and comfortably and create a support network. This dimension allows individuals to not only develop encouraging relationships with peers, but also intimate relationships with romantic partners.
The Zeidler Center for Public Discussion facilitates groups to foster dialogue and foster trust in the midst of differences. Events, workshops, and training that bring people together are also provided.
Spiritual Wellbeing
Spiritual Wellbeing allows the development of a set of values that help one seek meaning and purpose. Spirituality can be represented in many ways, for example, through relaxation or religion. But being spiritually well means knowing which resources to use to cope with issues that come up in everyday life.
Ascent for Life is a Milwaukee-based non-profit agency focusing on health promotion and disease prevention and on the delivery of accessible Wellness Services. They are a minimalist, trauma-sensitive, multicultural community-based organization.
Also has resources related to emotional wellbeing.
B.A.S.I.C.S. (Brothers and Sisters in Christ Serving) is a Christian nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization created in 1996 to strengthen churches and Christian outreach ministries throughout the metropolitan area. The group supports dozens of city ministries such as prison and re-entry ministries, community outreach events, recovery programs, youth activities and many others.
Spiritual Formation programming at Casa Romero invites people to heal, to be grateful for life, and to deepen their faith. Enriched with Ignatian Spirituality, these programs guide participants to see God in everything, and have a strong component of community built through spiritual mentorship, equipping people to be faithful in their spiritual walk, and becoming true companions to others as they journey through life.
Capuchin Community Services offers guests, staff, and volunteers the opportunity for prayer and reflection, but never requires anyone to participate. Based on Gospel values, the Capuchin ministry sites serve the community by assisting families and individuals in meeting their spiritual, material, and emotional needs.
Resources related to emotional wellbeing are also provided by the organization.
Chinmaya Mission Milwaukee works to provide individuals from any background the wisdom of Vedanta and the practical means for spiritual growth and happiness, enabling them to become positive contributors to society. The Chinmaya Mission hosts regular movie nights, study groups, and prayer reflection sessions.
It also has resources related to social wellbeing.
Magis Milwaukee is a place for connection, exploration and learning where anyone with a spiritual desire can come to find direction, companionship and support. While its tradition is Catholic and Ignatian, Magis Milwaukee wants to assist anyone who comes with honesty to discern his or her spiritual path and follow it with greater conviction. They provide spiritual direction, workshops, study groups, and more.
Resources related to social wellbeing are also available.
The Our Lady of Grace Catholic Spirituality Center celebrates the Universal Call to Holiness by helping young people discern their state in life vocation and career paths by using the finest tools available in the treasury of the Roman Catholic tradition: the Ignatian discernment methods developed by the founder of the Jesuit Order, St. Ignatius of Loyola.
Printable Safety Resource Materials
RESIDENTIAL RESOURCES
Residents are the heart of Milwaukee’s Near West Side. To ensure everyone who lives and stays here can thrive, community resources provide added support.