Courage MKE empowers today’s LGBTQ+ youth to become tomorrow’s leaders Profanity
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Courage MKE is a collaborative movement to provide housing, resources, and services needed for displaced and homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Milwaukee to thrive. In addition the Courage House to serve displaced youth, our organization also provides scholarships, hygiene care packages and other services for the LGBTQ+ youth of Greater Milwaukee.
Courage MKE Social Media Commenting Policy
Courage MK
Courage MKE is a collaborative movement to provide housing, resources, and services needed for displaced and homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Milwaukee to thrive. In addition the Courage House to serve displaced youth, our organization also provides scholarships, hygiene care packages and other services for the LGBTQ+ youth of Greater Milwaukee.
Courage MKE Social Media Commenting Policy
Courage MK
Operating as usual
This show is a must watch for every parent. Inclusive, heartwarming and a glimpse into our kids lives every day.
This sweet and even slightly formulaic love story feels almost radical given the current political climate. (Spoilers ahead.)
BIG THANK YOU to our friends at for this Bounty-ful donation of paper towel!! ❤️🤣❤️
We are hiring!
Share via:The Courage House Resident Care Worker is responsible for implementing the daily schedule of activities while modeling healthy life skills. Resident Care Workers provide direct supervision to residents to ensure physical safety and program implementation. We are seeking resident care worke...
We are hiring!
Share via:The Courage House Crisis Stabilizer is an on-call position responsible for de-escalating, evaluating, and providing support during crises at Courage Group Home. Each Crisis Stabilizer is responsible for leading at least one therapeutic group or activity per week, and be on call for 1-5 o...
A very special THANK YOU to and the entire cast of The Laramie Project for inviting us to share our mission with your audiences last week! Bravo to all on such an incredible production!!!
Big thanks to for sending an amazing Chinese Food dinner to the house!
Our residents are loved it!
Thank you for helping us celebrate with our staff!!! ❤️
We love our city and all of you! Happy !!!
What are some of your favorite Milwaukee small businesses to visit? Let’s show them some love in the comments!!!
We are so proud of our hometown girl, Jaida Essence Hall for her upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars All Winners season!!! She has been traveling the world but still hasn’t forgot about home.
Last week we received a gift of $5000.00 from Duncan Hines from a contest Jaida won and chose us as the beneficiary of the gift!
Thank you Jaida! We love you and will be cheering you on every week!!
Please join us in welcoming the newest members of our Courage MKE board of directors. We are very excited to get to work with all of you as we continue to grow and provide the highest level of quality services and resources to the LGBTQ+ youth we serve!
Welcome to the family Robin, Andrea, Dan and Broderick!
Last spring, the Ali Forney Center, the nation's largest non-profit providing shelter and healthcare services to youth experiencing homelessness informed us that we had been accepted into their mentorship program for our plans to open a 15 - 20 unit facility for youth ages 17 - 24 that are experiencing homelessness or have aged out of the system. Every month since, along with about 20 grassroot organizations like ours, we met via zoom, to listen, ask questions, share ideas and learn.
Last week, The Center brought our Executive Director and Program Director to NYC to participate in their Model Replication Conference. Throughout the week, they opened their offices, facilities and internal practices for everyone who attended the conference. We came back ready to continue our planning here in Milwaukee.
Words cannot express our gratitude to the Ali Forney team and residents we had the opportunity to meet with. They inspired and motivated us to make it happen here for our older LGBTQ+ youth here in Milwaukee.
If you would like to help make this much needed resource a reality, please consider making a donation at www.couragemke.org/donate.
Pictured: Alex Rogue-AFC Executive Director, Jean Northway-Courage MKE Program Director, Carl Siciliano-Founder AFC, Brad Schlaikowski- Courage MKE Executive Director, Nadia Swanson-National Technical Assistance and Advocacy Program Consultant
Thank you to for inviting us to be here for the show!!
We'd like to send a special thank you to our friends Associated Bank for hosting a Courage Kit drive!
Let’s end our day with something so sweet.
“…. And let them be they.”
We have some pretty incredible women in our little Courage family that inspire us every day. Haley, Jinx, Hannah, Fayomi, Brenna, Amber, Amanda, Mims, Tywanda, Jean Thank you for showing our residents what strength, leadership, compassion and ambition looks like day in and day out. We wouldn't be who we are without EVERYTHING you do.
Hello Courage Family!
We are looking for a few pieces of hand me down/gently used furniture and thought we'd put it out here incase anyone has anything that you may need taken off your hands.
1) Couch
2) Wood/sturdy coffee table
3) 2 upright dressers
4) 4 ceiling fans
If you have something that you'd like to donate, please email [email protected]
Wishing you all a very happy Monday!
We are so honored and proud to stand side by side with some fantastic Milwaukeeans!! Thank you Milwaukee Magazine!
They're creating a home for LGBTQ+ youth.
Three years ago today we cut the ribbon to the Courage House. We have learned so much over these past few years and proud knowing that every year we have been open our program has only gotten better than we have ever imagined.
To ALL of our Courage MKE family, thank you for everything you do for us and our residents. Because of you we are able to go above and beyond every day! Because of you we can focus on continued growth to provide services to youth aging out of the system. We are so honored by your trust and continued support!!
Thinking about all youth in Florida and Texas.
THANK YOU VALENTINE!!!
The excitement that springs up every time the mailperson comes everyday has been so heart warming. Thank you to everyone that has been sending hearts and treats throughout the month! Our walls are literally covered with messages that make us laugh, fill our hearts and remind us that it always gets better!
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for showing our residents how much love is in our community!! They love receiving your letters.
We would like to send a special Thank You to the Mars Family Foundation for inviting us to be part of their first Fish Tank. What an amazing evening with the other organizations, families and VIPs. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Please join us in congratulating our team at the Courage House for becoming the first group home in the Milwaukee area to receive the Qualified Residential Treatment Program Certification from the State of Wisconsin.
What is QRTP?
Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) are designed for youth with serious mental health or behavioral needs.
"Our trauma informed philosophy is built into our program, and incorporated into all of our day to day activities. Our mission is to help residents be themselves in order to heal. We are committed to supporting all aspects of a resident’s identity, including gender and sexuality exploration and racial identity. We have a family-like environment, working to solve problems as a part of a community, using restorative justice principles whenever possible. Our staff reflects the myriad identities of our residents, with most staff identifying as part of the LGBTQ community." - Jean Northway, Program Director
Congratulations to you all for all of your hard work!!
Hey Family!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤎
Gosh this time of year is hard. Counting down the days we can be outside again and holidays bringing so many feeling and emotions.
We are looking for volunteers that might be willing to help shower our residents with love!
All you’d have to do is cut out a heart (or multiple), write an inspirational message, glue a funny picture to create a smile, share a story or anything you’d like and mail them to The Courage House. We plan on covering our walls with love/hearts from our staff, board and all of you this month.
Hearts can be mailed to;
Courage House Residents
1544 S. 6th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53204
We thank you in advance for helping show our kids how much love there is in our community!!!
We are hiring! Come join the family!
Share via:The Courage House Resident Care Worker is responsible for implementing the daily schedule of activities while modeling healthy life… Learn More Youth Group Home Resident Care Worker
Thank you Milwaukee Magazine for this award. This award belongs to every staff member, volunteer, social worker, donor and supporter within our Courage Family. To have been nominated among so many outstanding people and organizations means the world to us.
This is what happens when !
These six people and organizations are making Milwaukee a better place for all of us.
Are you interested in making a difference in our community and be part of our growing organization? Our Board of Directors is currently looking to add new members!
Share via:Position Title: Member of the Board of Directors Length of Term: Three years (two term limit) Reports To: Board… Learn More Courage MKE Board Member
From the bottom of all of our hearts, we’d like to say thank you to all of our Courage family for your support, generosity and love.
Before the festivities begin, I want to put it out in the universe that there are thousands of kids, one more time, thousands of KIDS that are in the system being shuffled around from place to place and home to home that just need a chance. They are in their situation by no fault of their own and just need someone to say yes. Someone to show them what family is. Someone to show them that they matter. As you make your New Year resolutions, please consider becoming a foster parent. You can change a life just by opening your heart and home.
Happy New Year everyone!!!
-Brad
Happy Kwanzaa!
From all of us, to all of you, Merry Christmas!🎄❤️🎄
We would like to send a very special thank you to everyone that helped us grant wishes for 134 children in our immediate neighborhood through our Holiday Helpers Campaign.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Wishing everyone a joyous Holiday Season!!!
Courage MKE, which serves as a resource center and home for Milwaukee's displaced LGBTQ+ youth, collected enough gifts for more than 130 kids in their neighborhood. Then they delivered the presents door-to-door.
Such a special night we had last night with our Residents, Staff and Board enjoying time together making memories including a special visit from Santa himself! Wishing you all a very, very safe and Happy Holidays!!!
A very special thank you to The Pasta Tree Restaurant & Wine Bar for the amazing food!!
Check out this stunning calendar!!! Makes a great holiday present too!!
MILWAUKEE mural artists,
MILWAUKEE photographers,
MILWAUKEE models,
MILWAUKEE designers,
MILWAUKEE stylists,
MILWAUKEE educators.
OTHER PEOPLES’ PROJECT!
Other Peoples’ Project asks you to buy a 13 month calendar today! 100% of the proceeds support Courage MKE, helping them to house LBGTQ+ young people. Just use the PayPal link below to pay $25.00 + $3.00 postage, and a calendar will be sent to you. $20.00 goes directly to Courage MKE. Use messenger to send us your mailing address.
You will love this calendar all year long!
https://www.paypal.me/oppcalendarproject?locale.x=en_US
https://www.couragemke.org
Model: Leidy Castillo
Photographer: Anthony Anderson
Designer: Stephanie Schultz
Family,
Our hearts are filled by your continued generosity. Our Holiday Helpers program is off and running. If you and/or your organization are looking to help make this holiday season special for some deserving kids, please take a look at the link below. We sincerely appreciate any help in granting these wishes!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1D86sWEJhSiItxroNGsxktbpun0waChbdv1hnPTb9iPs/edit?usp=sharing
It’s beginning to look a lot like …. 🎄☃️❄️
1544 S 6th Street
Milwaukee, WI
53204
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
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We are so honored to have such an incredible partnership with the Matthew Shepard Foundation. A few months ago, their team came out to film with our executive director, Brad, about Courage MKE, and how we change hearts and minds. Here is a live video from the Bear to Make a Difference Gala supporting the Matthew Shepard Foundation. ❤️🧡💛💚💙
We have a place!!!! ❤️
We are Courage MKE
We are Courage MKE. Thank you for everyone who came out last night to our annual gala. We are beyond thrilled and grateful for every single one of you. Together we are changing Milwaukee for the better. Last night we premiered our latest video, and want to extend a huge thank you to Lex Allen for lending his powerful voice to our campaign; love opens doors!
We were so excited to receive this last night from the Season One winner of the YouTube hit show Camp Wannakiki Alexis Bevels! So honored to have her join us for a night of community, awareness and celebration!!! Hope to see everyone at our Gala next Friday!! You can still get tickets at www.shepherdtickets.com!!!
WE FOUND IT!!!!!! Courage MKE - The Courage House Please consider donating for a great cause. ❤️💛💚💙💜 Help us exceed our goal to purchase the property by joining us at the 2017 Gala; Homecoming on Friday, November 3rd!!!! Tickets can be purchased at www.shepherdtickets.com Can’t join the Gala? Donate today at couragemke.org/donate To learn more about Courage MKE visit our website at www.couragemke.org
IT’S HAPPENING...... Real Estate with a purpose! Courage MKE - Courage House Please consider donating for a great cause. ❤️💛💚💙💜 Help us exceed our goal to purchase the property by joining us at the 2017 Gala; Homecoming on Friday, November 3rd!!!! Tickets can be purchased at www.shepherdtickets.com To learn more about Courage MKE visit our website at www.couragemke.org
Courage MKE became an idea of Co-Founders, Brad and Nick Schlaikowski while they were foster parents. Together they welcomed multiple homeless LGBTQ+ youth into their home after learning about their stories of rejection, fear and survival. Their first foster daughter told stories of being kicked out of her home because she came out as Le***an and then rejected further from women’s shelters because of who he is. Another one of their foster daughters fought to survive and was manipulated into s*x trafficking.
In late summer of 2015, Brad and Nick knew it was time to take action and bring homelessness amongst our LGBTQ+ youth to the front of the conversation. That year they, along with a group of amazing friends put together a community event called “Courage; an event for homeless lgbtq+ youth” to help raise awareness to the cause as well as over $15,000.00 for another local nonprofit. The event came and gone and though proud, Brad and Nick still wanted to do more. They brought their friends together and proposed the idea of continuing to raise awareness and eventually open a facility that any child that identified as LGBTQ+ would be accepted for who they are, taught what it means to be part of a family and most importantly a place they would be proud to call him, it was that moment that Courage MKE began.
Brad and Nick quickly created a Board of Directors and by January 2016, because of the high needs of this community and the generous support the event received and continues to receive, Courage MKE was established as a nonprofit organization!
The Courage Board of Directors quickly decided to focus on four main areas:
HOUSING:
By working with our community donors, public and private funding we will open and sustain “The Courage House”, a safe haven, a home where LGBTQ+ young people can feel treasured and respected for who they are. Courage House will provide counselling programs, mental and physical healthcare, identity appreciation programs, and assistance with job hunting and resume building. But, Courage House will be more than that, it will be home cooked meals prepared with love. It will be a big turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, gifts at holiday time, comfort through difficult times, and the stability these young people so desperately deserve.
SUPPORT & AWARENESS:
Community outreach through local high school Gay Straight Alliances (GSA). Funding within our schools across the state of Wisconsin has been slashed for years. GSAs are one of the first to lose their funding from their school districts. We believe that GSAs in schools are one of the most important organizations as in many situations, the only resource a child has to talk with peers and be themselves without fear. On a monthly basis Courage MKE provides up to two grants to a high school GSA to ensure they are able to continue to make a difference in their school communities.
EDUCATION:
Courage MKE believes that everyone should have access to any post high school education whether its as trade school, certificate program of four year university, Courage MKE is encouraging and supporting post high school education through our established Jackie Roberts Memorial Scholarship Fund. Each year through a written essay application, we will award high school Seniors that are active members in their school’s GSA with scholarships to help with their post high school education.
HEART:
Sometimes, it’s the things that we all take for granted that remind us we are cared about. Courage MKE’s Courage Kit program provides basic day to day necessities such as soaps, toothbrushes, tooth paste, deodorant, tampons, hand warmers, new socks, hats mittens and more. Through the generosity of our communities, organizations across Wisconsin such as Veolia North America, Northwestern Mutual, Harley Davidson and others have hold countless drives to ensure we are able to continuously deliver Courage Kits to organizations like Milwaukee Public Schools, and countless other shelters that support youth in our communities to allow them the simplest of things that make them feel human.
Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES)
1027 S 5th StMilwaukee Metropolitan Community Church
1239 W Mineral StMilwaukee Police Department - District Two
245 W. Lincoln Ave.National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum
170 South First StreetWomen's Fund of Greater Milwaukee
316 N Milwaukee St, Ste 215
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee
788 N Jefferson St, Ste 600
Volunteer Milwaukee - A Service of the Nonpro
2819 W Highland Blvd
Running Rebels Community Organization
225 West Capitol Drive
Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
315 W COURT ST
Pulaski High School (Class of 2002)
2500 W Oklahoma Ave
Women's Fund of Greater Milwaukee
316 N Milwaukee St, Ste 215