Social Services
Below is a list of agencies and nonprofits who serve the downtown community with food, shelter, health care, legal aid and employment assistance. For emergency shelter placement, please call IMPACT 2-1-1 for a referral. You can also download our handy Downtown Homeless Resource Guide.
SHELTERS
American Red Cross
2600 W. Wisconsin Avenue
414-342-8680
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/shelter
For assistance with homelessness due to fire, natural disaster or domestic violence.
Casa Maria Catholic Worker
1131 N. 21st Street 414-344-5745
http://casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com
Women with children, call any day 9am to 10pm.
The Cathedral Center
845 N. Van Buren Street
414-831-0394
http://www.cathedral-center.org
Adult women and families
Emergency Lodge – Salvation Army
1730 N. 7th Street
414-265-6360
http://www.samilwaukee.org
Single men, women and families
Gingerbread House
2640 N. 1st Street
414-372-7875
Women and children
Guest House of Milwaukee
1216 N. 13th Street
414-345-3240
http://www.guesthouseofmilwaukee.org
Single men
Hope House
209 W. Orchard Street
414-645-2122
http://www.hopehousemke.org
Families only – no singles
Hope Street Ministry
2522 W. Capitol Drive
414-445-5404
http://www.hopestreetministry.org
Men, women and children. Application and agreement required.
Joy House – Milwaukee Rescue Mission
830 N. 19th Street
414-344-2211
http://www.milmission.org/programs/joy-house/
Women with children. Women must have current photo ID, children must have two forms of ID.
La Causa Crisis Nursery
522 W. Walker Street
414-902-1620
http://www.lacausa.org/programs/crisis-nursery-and-respite-center
Children birth to 12 years old. Free services – 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year.
Open Gate
1131 N. 12th Street
414-344-7582
Men and women
Pathfinders Emergency Youth Shelter
1614 E. Kane Place
414-271-1560
Ages 11-17, must call IMPACT 2-1-1 or the shelter directly.
St. Catherine Residence (Mercy Housing)
1032 E. Knapp Street
414-272-8470
https://www.mercyhousing.org/wi-st-catherine-residence
Housing for single women and first-time pregnant women.
Safe Harbor – Milwaukee Rescue Mission
1820 W. Wells Street
414-344-2211
https://www.milmission.org/programs/safe-harbor
Single men – entry by 6:15pm, limited access for wheelchairs.
Sojourner Truth House
619 W. Walnut Street
414-933-2722
https://familypeacecenter.org
Domestic violence shelter – battered women, single or with children.
VA Homeless Programs
Community Resource and Referral Center (CRRC)
1818 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
414-263-7673
http://va.gov/homeless
DAYTIME WARMING/COOLING CENTERS
Salvation Army Daytime Warming Rooms
Milwaukee West – 1645 N. 25th St.
414-342-9191
http://www.samilwaukee.org
All Milwaukee Public Library locations (hours vary by location):
Central – 814 W. Wisconsin Avenue
414-286-3000
www.mpl.org
Repairers of the Breach
1335 N. Vliet Street
414-342-9323
http://www.repairers.org
Homeless adults, day sanctuary, drop-in resource center, Mon – Sat, 7am to 4pm, including holidays.
NIGHTTIME WARMING/COOLING CENTERS
Repairers of the Breach
1335 N. Vliet Street
414-342-9323
http://www.repairers.org
The overnight warming room open from 8pm to 4am if the outside temperature or wind chill is below 10 degrees.
St. Benedict the Moor
1015 N. 9th Street
414-271-0135
http://www.stbensparishmilwaukee.org
Open when temperatures are 10 degrees or below from 8pm to 7am. Singles only. Walk in from 8pm to 10pm (unless accompanied by police after hours).
HEALTH CARE
Angel of Hope Clinic
209 W. Orchard Street
414-385-5394
Sliding scale fee walk-in clinic.
Brady East STD Clinic
1240 E. Brady Street
414-272-2144
http://www.bestd.org
STD, HIV testing, and Hepatitis A & B vaccinations.
Bread of Healing Clinics: Cross Lutheran Church
1821 N. 16th Street
414-977-0001
Clinic times (appointments only): Monday 1:30pm to 5pm, Tuesday 1:30pm to 5pm, Wednesday 8am to 11am and 1:30pm to 5pm.
City of Milwaukee – Keenan Health Clinic
3200 N. 36th Street
414-286-8813
STD/HIV testing, Community Health Care Access Program.
City of Milwaukee – Southside Health Clinic
1639 S. 23rd Street
414-286-8620
Community Healthcare Access Program, immunizations, family planning and well woman programs.
City on a Hill
2224 W. Kilbourn Avenue
414-931-6670
www.cityonahillmilwaukee.org
Uninsured only, ID required. Clinic, health screening, lunch and free bag of groceries 2nd Saturday of every month from 12pm to 3:30pm.
Columbia St. Mary's Family Health Center
1121 E. North Avenue
414-588-2865
columbia-stmarys.org
Open 8am to noon every Saturday for the uninsured. First-come, first-served – many registered by 6:30am. Pharmacy, mammograms, X-Rays, free lab services, well-women visits and referrals to specialists. Pediatric appointments available.
Healing Center
611 W. National Avenue, 4th Floor
414-671-4325
Adult sexual abuse survivors. Call for appointment. Monday 9am to 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 2pm.
Marquette Clinic for Women and Children
Cross Lutheran
1821 N. 16th Street
414-755-6970
Uninsured women and children by appointment only. Call Monday through Tuesday, 10am to 1pm and Thursday 8am to 12pm.
Outreach Community Health Center Clinic
(Formerly Healthcare for the Homeless)
210 W. Capitol Drive
414-727-6320
http://www.ochc-milw.org
Primary and mental health services Mon – Fri, 8am to 4:30pm.
Repairers of the Breach Clinic
1335 W. Vliet Street
414-342-1065
http://www.repairers.org
Free walk-in clinic. Hours vary per week – call for information.
St. Ben's Clinic
1027 N. 9th Street
414-765-0606
Homeless adults, must see social worker first. Open Mon, Wed and Thur 9am to 4pm; Tues and Fri, appointments only.
Salvation Army Clinic
1730 N. 7th Street
414-265-6360
www.samilwaukee.org
Uninsured homeless, appointments seen before walk-ins. Open Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 8am to 3pm. Walk-ins welcome Mon, Tue, Thurs and Fri 8am to noon and Wed 6pm to 8pm.
Social Development Commission
1730 W. North Avenue
414-906-2700
http://www.cr-sdc.org/SDC/htm
Programs include: Absolute Advantage Training (accredited certification in the construction industry), Competency Based Diploma (HSED 5.09), PARS Program (Prescriptions and your health – low-cost prescription medications for income eligible clients), Senior Companion Program for homebound and disabled seniors.
ADVOCACY
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin – Child Protection Center
1020 N. 12th Street
414-277-8980
Community Advocates
728 N. James Lovell Street
414-449-4777
Info and referrals: T-19, Badger Care, tenant landlord issues, housing, food share, utilities, disability appeals, health care, homelessness prevention, case management. Walk-ins welcome, but best to call for appointment. Mon 11am to 5pm, Tues – Thurs 9am to 5pm and Fri 9am to 4pm.
Independence First
540 S. 1st Street
414-291-7520
http://www.independencefirst.org
Legal Aid
521 N. 8th Street
414-727-5300
Civil issues only. Milwaukee County low income. Call for appointment Mon – Fri 8am to 4:30pm. Walk-in Mon and Wed 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Legal Action
230 W. Wells Street, #800
414-278-7722
Civil issues only: W2/Food stamps/T-19, walk-ins Tues and Thursday only, 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Others call Mon – Fri 8am to 5pm.
Marquette Legal Clinics (No Criminal Cases):
House of Peace
1702 W. Walnut Street
414-933-1302
Appointments available Tues 3pm to 7pm.
Mental Health America of Wisconsin
600 W. Virginia Street, #502
414-276-3122
http://www.mhawisconsin.org
Milwaukee Center for Independence
2020 W. Wells Street
414-937-2020
http://www.mcfi.net/MCFI.htm
Milwaukee County Department on Aging
Chapter 55 Emergency Protective Placements
1220 W. Vliet Street, #302
414-289-5950
http://county.milwaukee.gov/Aging
Milwaukee County Housing Division Programs
(Including Safehaven, Permanent Supportive Housing, Housing First, etc.)
600 W. Walnut Street, Suite 100
414-278-2944
http://housingfirstmilwaukee.com
Outreach Community Health Centers
711 W. Capitol Drive
414-374-2400
http://www.ochc-milw.org
Project Return (ex-offenders/prison discharge)
2821 N. 4th Street, #202
414-374-8029
Support groups, job assistance, resumes, AODA education, relapse prevention, anger management, stress management, social skills training, medical food share, housing resources, parenting skills, mentoring.
St. Ben's
1015 N. 9th Street
414-271-0135
2nd Tuesday 3pm to 5pm at St. Ben's, provided by Marquette Legal Mobil; 4th Tuesday 5pm to 6:30pm at St. Ben's site through Legal Aid.
SeniorLAW
230 W. Wells Street, Room 800
414-278-1212
www.legalaction.org
SeniorLAW provides free legal assistance to Milwaukee County Residents who are 60 years and older. Most often, SeniorLAW handles these types of legal problems: Medical Assistance, Medicare, Long Term Care, Social Security, SSI, subsidized housing, Homestead credits, elder (financial, physical, emotional, or neglect) abuse and consumer law problems. There are several outreach centers throughout the city.
Wisconsin FACETS
600 W. Virginia Street, #501
414-374-4645
www.wifacets.org
MEAL SITES
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist – Open Door Cafe
831 N. Van Buren Street
414-276-9814
Sun – Fri: 11:15am to 12:30pm Bag Lunch: Mon – Fri: 12:30pm to 1pm.
Central Seventh-Day Adventist
Bus Stop @ 9th & Wisconsin
414-273-7933
4th & 5th Saturday at 4pm: soup, sandwiches and clothing.
Gesu Parish Midnight Run
1210 W. Michigan Street
414-288-7101
Dinner 1st, 2nd & 3rd Sat: 5:40pm to 6:30pm.
Mr. Bob's Under the Bridge
414-207-6615 | mrbobsunderthebridge.org
Milwaukee Rescue Mission
1820 W. Wells Street
414-344-2211
Men only – breakfast at 6:45am (Sun – Sat), lunch 11:30am to 12:15pm (Mon – Sat), and dinner at 4:30pm (Sun – Sat).
St. Benedict Community Meal Site
924 W. State Street
414-271-0135
Sun – Fri: 5:15pm – 6:30pm
St. Benedict Community Parish
1015 N. 9th Street
414-271-0135
Mon – Fri: 1pm – 4:30pm: showers, assistance with birth certificate and social security card.
St. James Episcopal Church, "The Gathering"
833 W. Wisconsin Avenue
414-272-4122
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 9:30am, Sat: 11:30am – 12:30pm
St. Vincent DePaul – North
2628 N. Martin Luther King Drive
414-462-7837
Mon – Fri 5:30pm to 6:15pm
St. Vincent DePaul – South
931 W. Madison Street
414-462-7837
Mon – Sat 5:30pm to 6:15pm: meals, showers, clothing and bike repair.
Vets Place Central
3330 W. Wells Street
414-342-5000
Veterans only – breakfast at 7am, lunch at noon and dinner at 6pm.
FOOD PANTRIES
Interchange Food Pantry – Village Church
130 E. Juneau Avenue
414-551-2184
interchangefoodpantry.org
Open Tuesdays 2pm – 5pm, and Wednesdays 9am – 11am and 4pm – 6:30pm.
Hope House Food Pantry
209 W. Orchard Street
414-389-3822
www.hopehousemke.org
Open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:30pm – 2:30pm, as well as Saturday from 10am – 12pm. Please bring an official piece of mail (energy bill, bank statement, etc.) displaying your name and the 53204/53215 zip code, and a photo ID for each adult in your family to receive services.
Friedens Community Ministries
Coggs Center – 1220 W. Vliet Street
414-289-6030
friedenspantry.org/coggs-center
One-time pantry
open Mondays – Fridays, 8:30am – 4pm.
Helping Place Food Pantry – Solomon Community Temple
3295 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
414-372-2101
www.sctumc.org
Open Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 12pm.
EMPLOYMENT
Department of Workforce Development – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
1915 N. Martin Luther King Drive, Suite 149
414-267-3175
dwd.wisconsin.gov
DVR serves individuals with disabilities who face a substantial barrier to employment. Rehabilitation Milwaukee Northeast
Clean Slate
2212 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
414-627-0067
www.cleanslatemke.org
Clean Slate Milwaukee, Inc. a “2nd Chance” Re-entry Works with local and state judges in the expungement of nonviolent criminal records in an effort to remove the barriers to opportunities for individuals.
Milwaukee Careers Co-op
3503 W. Wisconsin Avenue, #6
414-937-8260
www.mccjobs.org
Adults only. Apply for orientation Mondays – Thursdays, 8:30am – 8:45am. Be in line by 7:50am. First five people only. Need photo ID, pen, Social Security card, resume, education certifications, and be dressed for interview.
Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/Big Step
3841 W. Wisconsin Avenue
414-342-9787
www.wrtp.org
Job training, apprenticeship readiness, tutoring
18 years or older, valid Wisconsin driver’s license, high school diploma/GED/HSED, and resume.
YWCA Southeast Wisconsin
1915 N. Martin Luther King Drive
414-267-3291
www.ywcasew.org
Offering economic empowerment programs such as Wisconsin Works and Dress for Success.
Project Return
2821 N. 4th Street, #202
414-374-8029
www.projectreturnmilwaukee.org
Assists men and women leaving prison to make a positive and permanent return to the community. Walk-in only, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am – 12pm.
VETS Place Central
3330 W. Wells Street
414-342-5000
http://www.cvivet.org/
Vets only. Available services include job search, training and educational services, Mondays – Fridays, 8am – 5pm.
Transform Milwaukee Jobs Program (TMJ)
435 W. North Avenue
414-374-5850
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/w2/tmj
Accepting walk-ins Mondays – Fridays, 9am – 3:30pm. Must be the biological, adoptive or primary relative caregiver of a child under 18. Must reside within Sherman Blvd., Silver Spring Dr., Hwy 43 and Mitchell St. boundaries. Have one of the following: have a child support order, child welfare reunification plan, or be an ex offender. Must be unemployed the last four consecutive calendar weeks. Cannot be receiving W2 benefits and not eligible to receive unemployment compensation. Must have a household income of less than 150% of federal poverty guidelines for the household size.
Salvation Army Employment Assistance Program
1730 N. 7th Street
414-265-6360
www.salvationarmywi.org
Goodwill Workforce – Richards Street location
3903 N. Richards Street
414-962-4148
www.goodwillsew.com
Grand Avenue Club
210 E. Michigan Street
414-276-6474
www.grandavenueclub.org
Grand Avenue Club provides adult members in Milwaukee County who have experienced mental illness pre-vocational, employment, educational, housing, recreational, and cultural opportunities so that their lives will be more productive and satisfying.
Interfaith Older Adult Programs
600 W. Virginia Street, Suite 300
414-291-7500
www.interfaithmilw.org
Milwaukee Urban League
435 W. North Avenue
414-374-5840
www.tmul.org
TRANSPORTATION
Milwaukee County Transit System Free “GO PASS”
1942 N. 17th Street
414-343-1700
www.ridemcts.com
Free MCTS pass for elderly and disabled adults. Application required.
Transit Plus
1942 N. 17th Street
414-343-1700
For persons with a disabling condition or illness that prevents them from accessing Milwaukee County Transit System buses. Cost $3.50 each way, purchased in book of 10 for $35.00
Must be scheduled not less than one day and not more than two weeks prior. Application required.
Transit Express
414-289-6874
www.transitexpress.com
Transportation options for individuals 60+ and/or disabled.
CLOTHING BANKS
Casa Maria
1131 N. 21st Street
414-344-5745
casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com
Adults: walk-in Mondays & Wednesdays, 10am – 1pm; Infants: call for appointment, 9am – 10am.
Eastside Church of Christ
325 E. North Avenue
414-427-7162
www.ecocmilwaukee.com
Clothing distributed the third Saturday of each month from 11am – 1pm.
House of Peace
1702 W. Walnut Avenue
414-933-1300 x22
www.capuchincommunityservices.org
Milwaukee County residents only, ID required.
Kim’s Closet – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
2812 W. Wisconsin Avenue
414-933-7825
www.saintpaulsmilwaukee.com
Open the first and third Wednesday of the month from 6pm – 7:30pm.
Mr. Bob's Under the Bridge
414-207-6615 | mrbobsunderthebridge.org
Red Door Clothing – St. James Episcopal & Trinity Episcopal
833 W. Wisconsin Avenue
414-933-4444
http://www.thegatheringwis.org/
Clothing is distributed the first and third Saturday of each month at St. James from 8:30am – 10:30am. Free will offerings welcome.
TELEPHONES
Repairers of the Breach
1335 N. Vliet Street
414-934-9305
www.repairers.org
On-site telephone use for individuals who are homeless.
Grand Avenue Club
210 E. Michigan Street
414-276-6474
www.grandavenueclub.org
On-site telephone use for members only.
St. Ben’s – Front Door Ministry
1015 N. 9th Street
414-271-0135
www.stbensclinicmilwaukee.org
On-site telephone use for individuals who are homeless, 1pm - 4:15pm.