Our Mission
To provide innovative, culturally competent holistic care that will empower men, women, and children to live safe, independent, and healthy lives.
Where Abuse Ends and Hope Begins
Founded in 1980, the Milwaukee Women’s Center provides comprehensive services and treatment for women, men, and children whose lives have been affected by domestic violence, addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, and poverty.
In June 2007, to ensure the continuation of critical domestic violence resources in Milwaukee County, the Milwaukee Women’s Center became a Division of Community Advocates.
In 2024, 2,165 individuals received services and support through the Milwaukee Women's Center Division.
- 860 callers to our 24/7 crisis line (414-671-6140) were provided telephone crisis intervention services to ensure immediate safety, short-term emotional support, assistance with shelter, legal information and advocacy, referrals for medical treatment, and ongoing counseling and group support.
- Our Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter provided comprehensive domestic violence services to 233 adults and children children.
- 70 families experiencing homelessness received safe shelter and assistance through the Family Support Center Emergency Shelter.
- Our Older Abused Women's Program helped 42 women ages 50 and older who were victimized by their intimate partners or adult children.
- The Nevermore Batterers Treatment Program educated 142 men to create more peaceful relationships.
- 200 men learned how to become better dads and role models through their participation in the MKE Fatherhood FIRE Program.
- Our intensive alcohol- or drug-abuse treatment program, the POWER Program, helped 86 women.
- 32 individuals experiencing homelessness and an opioid use disorder were provided with temporary housing and case management.
- The Bottomless Closet provided free clothing and job readiness assistance to 500 individuals who were seeking employment.
Contact the Milwaukee Women's Center at 414-671-6140 to learn more about our services or to speak to a domestic violence crisis counselor 24/7.
See for Yourself
Want to meet some of our clients and see how their lives have been saved by the Milwaukee Women’s Center? Watch this video to hear their stories and see how much better their lives have become.
Debby’s Story:
Empowered to Overcome Homelessness
A place where hope begins… a place of empowerment and encouragement… that’s what Debby, a 25-year-old, single mother of three, found when she came to Community Advocates at one of the lowest points in her life.
Debby was initially referred to the Community Advocates housing team from Community Advocates’ Milwaukee Women’s Center after being evicted from her home. Debby’s father had passed recently, and she fell into a deep depression. She missed work often and lost her job, ultimately leading to her family being evicted from their home. Her family was in crisis, and she needed help.
While she was experiencing homelessness, Debby and her children stayed at the Milwaukee Women’s Center for three months. It was during that stay and by working with the team that she started to envision a better future. Debby found the strength to move forward for herself and her children. She came out of her depression and was able to return to work. Debby was motivated and found two jobs. She worked at both of them as she began to rebuild her life. Her increased optimism for a better future also positively affected her children who are all doing well in school, and the oldest two are involved in sports.
Debby’s hard work paid off and she was able to secure housing for her family. Once again Community Advocates provided support through the Rapid Rehousing program, which paid her rent and security deposit, and found funding to purchase a refrigerator and stove for her new home. Debby continued to work both jobs until she found a new job working with autistic adults. It’s a job that allows her to provide for her children and that she loves. Additionally, Debby shared with her Housing Advocate that she had been approved to move into a new apartment by November 2023.
Community Advocates provides advocacy and services when individuals and families are in crisis to help them meet their basic needs so they may live in dignity. Through the support Community Advocates provided for Debby and her family, she found the strength and confidence to transform her life and the lives of her children, creating the path for a bright future.
Debby’s story is like so many other families who are experiencing crisis in our community and urgently need our help. Having a resource such as Community Advocates ready to respond with emergency shelter and comprehensive programming for the entire family is lifesaving and life changing.
