This summer, the Milwaukee Women’s Center turns 45. Founded in 1980 by Constance St. John as the Milwaukee Women’s Refuge, the center has provided safe shelter; a 24/7 crisis line; trauma-informed programs for domestic violence survivors, older women, children, people living with a Substance Use Disorder, and men with a history of abuse in their relationships.

Since merging with Community Advocates in 2007, our Emergency Shelter has expanded to 75 beds to serve adults and kids fleeing domestic violence and families who have experienced homelessness. The merger has allowed our community members to participate in Milwaukee Women’s Center’s programming and have access to Community Advocates’ basic needs services, including housing assistance and additional case management.

The Milwaukee Women’s Center is such a vital part of our community that we celebrated twice.

In May, we hosted a Sneaker Ball to honor survivors, past and current staff, and our supporters. Notably, we honored two early and impactful leaders with our new Legacy Award—former President/CEO Carey Tradewell and former Senior Vice President Stormy Mercadel. These incredible women served thousands of people in crisis through thoughtful programming, inspired leadership, and continual advocacy and we are beyond grateful for their dedication to adults and kids in need. 

We also want to thank our incredible sponsors, as well as our fantastic Board of Directors. Our Event Co-Chairs were Board Secretary Kate Venne and Board Treasurer Sandy Samse.

Direct Supply served as Sponsoring Host, and Foley & Lardner LLP and the House Family Foundation supported our events as Presenting Co-Sponsors.

Additional sponsors are J.A.M.E.S., Bader Philanthropies, Inc., Feed Your Soul - Milwaukee, We Energies Foundation, AF Technical Resources LLC, Aurora Health Care, MOLLY MAID of East Metro Milwaukee and Racine, Alma Pura Wellness, Cross Management Services, Inc., Ellen Brostrom and Resolute Systems LLC, Greater Milwaukee Foundation, Jim Schleif and Bill Morley, Legal Aid of Milwaukee, Michael Deeken M.D., Old National Bank, Signature Services Group, LLC, Guest House of Milwaukee, and Town Bank.

We are grateful for all who have helped to create a safer community, healthier families, and more hopeful adults and kids through the Milwaukee Women’s Center.

We’re thrilled to announce that Community Advocates has been selected as the 2025 nonprofit partner of Feed Your Soul — a vibrant and creative annual event that unites artists, designers, and changemakers to make a positive impact in our community.

Now in its 22nd year, Feed Your Soul features live painting, entertainment, an art auction, interactive installations, and more, all designed to celebrate creativity and generosity. This year, we’re also celebrating a new chapter: Community Advocates is honored to join this powerful collective as its new nonprofit partner!

This year’s event will take place at the newly located House of RAD — now at 324 N. 12th Street — a dynamic, artist-driven space that perfectly aligns with the event’s creative energy and community-centered mission.



Mark your calendars for Friday, November 7, 2025, and check out additional ways you can get involved. Whether you attend, sponsor, or help spread the word, you’ll be part of a movement that fuels connection, compassion, and creativity in Milwaukee. View the flyer and scan the QR code for more information.

Responding to Addiction was developed by the Addiction Policy Forum to increase knowledge about addiction, improve helping behaviors toward individuals with substance use disorders (SUD), correct misconceptions about addiction, and reduce stigma in communities. The program is a multi-disciplinary training that teaches participants about the science of addiction and equips them with the knowledge and tools to understand and address substance use disorders.

Kat Becker, Community Advocates Public Policy Institute's Alliance for Wisconsin Youth Coordinator, will host this training on Wednesday, August 27 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Community Adovcates, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 728 N. James Lovell, St. Milwaukee.

What will you learn?

• Signs and Symptoms of Addiction
• Evidence-Based Treatment Options
• Medications available to Treat Addiction
• Recovery Support and Relapse Prevention
• How to Start the Conversation with Someone in Need of Support
• Engagement Strategies

This training event is hosted in partnership with RISE Drug Free MKE's International Overdose Awareness Day efforts.

Community Advocates provides a range of programs and services for tenants and landlords in Milwaukee County.

Our programs include:

• City of Milwaukee Rental Assistance: Emergency Rental Assistance: Emergency Rental Assistance is a resource for eligible City of Milwaukee residents at risk of housing instability due to a temporary financial hardship. Click here for more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply if the criteria are met.

• Landlord/Tenant Programs: For tenants and landlords dealing with housing instability or lack of resources that could lead to eviction. Learn more.

• Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center: The RHRC walk-in clinic, located in the Community Advocates building at 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, operates Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During these hours, tenants and landlords can consult with an intake specialist on a first-come, first-served basis. The intake team will assess needs and offer resources or referrals for rent and utilities assistance, landlord/tenant dispute resolution through neutral mediation, and relocation services. Visit the RHRC in person, go to RentHelpMKE.org, or call 414-895-RENT (7368) for more information.

Gracias a Telemundo Wisconsin por entrevistar a Laura Silva el programa de Asistencia de Alquiler de Emergencia de Community Advocates. El programa está disponible para:

• Personas mayores de 18 años,
• Residentes de la ciudad de Milwaukee,
• Personas que hayan experimentado una pérdida verificable de ingresos o dificultades económicas y estén en riesgo de desalojo como resultado.

Thank you to Telemundo Wisconsin for interviewing Laura Silva about Community Advocates' Emergency Rental Assistance program. The program is available to:

• People 18 years or older,
• Live in the City of Milwaukee,
• Experienced a verifiable loss of income or financial hardship and at risk of eviction as a result 

Take control of your finances starting now! Join the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center for a Community Day Event workshop designed to help renters manage money, build credit, and plan for a more secure future. Learn practical tips on budgeting, banking and credit in a supportive, judgment-free space.

The Financial Foundations Workshop, presented by UW-Madison Extension Milwaukee County, is scheduled for Thursday, July 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community Advocates, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. 

In 2024, the state Department of Justice and Berrada Properties Management and its owner, Joseph Berrada, negotiated a settlement for alleged legal violations. The settlement included programs and services specifically for Berrada tenants and the public to be delivered by Community Advocates.

In March, we began helping current Berrada tenants with payment plans, short-term rental assistance, and move-out agreements. Berrada tenants can visit the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center located within our downtown Milwaukee offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. 

In addition, we’re offering monthly rental housing events for people who want to move into a Berrada property and pay rent based on their income. Follow our Facebook page to learn when the next events will be scheduled this summer.

When COVID hit in 2020, all levels of government stepped in with help for tenants and landlords who were struggling to pay their bills and stay safe at home. Now that robust rental assistance is fading out, many Milwaukee tenants are searching for resources to help them in a competitive housing market.

Join this panel discussion of the evolution of policies and programs for tenants and landlords, including the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, celebrating its fifth anniversary this summer. This panel is organized by Community Advocates Public Policy Institute and is sponsored by the PPI Member Network. We’ll send registration information as we get closer to the date.

We are congratulating PPI's Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator, Cecilia Tenorio, and other Escucha tus Emociones facilitators for passing their exams to become bilingual Certified Peer Support Specialists. This milestone marks the success of the first Spanish-language, state certified peer support cohort in the City of Milwaukee. We're celebrating this major step forward in creating more accessible, culturally grounded mental health support in our communities. 

In July, Community Advocates nominated Dontae to receive a vehicle donated by American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation and refurbished by Gerber Collision & Glass as part of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program. The car was presented to Dontae during a pre-game presentation at the July 8 Milwaukee Brewers game, where Bernie Brewer handed over the keys to a 2022 Toyota 4Runner. Dontae has shown remarkable resilience as he struggled with homelessness during the pandemic. In addition to the gifted car, the foundation awarded a three-year, $30,000 grant award to Community Advocates to help us serve adults and families seeking a better life.

We are excited to be selected as a participant in Light the Hoan’s 2025 Shine a Lite program, helping to spotlight the amazing work we’re doing in the community. The program also gifted Community Advocates a $10,000 grant from Miller Lite. Thank you to Light the Hoan and Miller Lite for this incredible opportunity.

Although the heating benefit season ended, eligible Milwaukee County residents can still apply for a one-time payment to help cover a portion of their energy bills. The amount of the benefit varies depending on a number of factors, including household income and size, as well as their heating bills. Residents may also qualify for other benefits as well to reduce their utility costs.

Please schedule your appointment by calling 414-270-4653 or by going to keepwarmmke.org.

Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee has partnered with the Rental Housing Resource Center (located inside of the Community Advocates building, 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee) to help individuals currently looking to remove past evictions from their CCAP Search.

This free clinic will be held on the second Wednesday of each month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is currently open to individuals with dismissed evictions and completed payment plans only. Only open to Milwaukee County. Walk-ins welcome. Appointments preferred. The next clinic will be held on Wednesday, August 13.

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community? We invite you to prepare and serve a meal to the 75 guests staying at the Milwaukee Women’s Center’s Emergency Shelter on the Near South Side of Milwaukee.

Details:

• Meals should be prepared, purchased, and served by volunteers at 6 p.m. daily.
• We provide a fully equipped commercial kitchen with all the utensils, pots, pans, and dishes, along with a commercial stove/oven. If you prefer, you can bring in fully cooked meals that are ready to serve.
• Volunteers will be required to wear hair nets, gloves, and masks when necessary to ensure the safety of all guests.
• Volunteers must complete an application and pass a background check.

This is a great opportunity for individuals, families, or groups to make a tangible difference in the lives of adults and kids who have survived domestic violence or homelessness.

Interested? Contact Jeri Kavanaugh at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net to discuss the details and schedule your date to serve.

Together, we can provide comfort, nourishment, and hope to those who need it most. Thank you for your support!

Community Advocates recognizes that people who live with Opioid Use Disorder and are in recovery need to live in a safe and stable home. To make that happen, we are providing Recovery Vouchers for up to six months of supportive housing for individuals and their families. To be eligible, the individual must be age 18 or older and have documentation of Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) or receiving treatment to address OUD within the previous 12 months. In addition, the individual must have documentation of homelessness (Category 1, 2, 3, or 4).

To obtain a referral form, email Maudwella Kirkendoll.

The program is funded by the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration Division of Energy (DEHCR), Housing and Community Resources.

Milwaukee tenants and landlords can get help in person without an appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome at the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, located in Community Advocates' downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. The Triage Team will assess your situation and make referrals so you can get the help you need.

The RHRC is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To request special accommodations, call 414-895-7368 or email info@renthelpmke.org.

You can also find available rentals and property management companies in Milwaukee and surrounding areas on our website. We update the rental listings every week on our website and Facebook page.

You can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Call: 414-270-2992
• Email: Contact Us
• Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee
• Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 414-671-6140
• Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program: 414-270-4653 or KeepWarmMKE.org
• FSET at Community Advocates: 414-290-7700
• Rent HelpLine: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
• Bottomless Closet: 414-270-2984
• Emergency services after hours or on weekends: 2-1-1