We’re proud to share that our programs and services reached more than 60,000 community members last year. Through 40+ programs, dedicated staff, and the trust of our community, we walked alongside individuals and families as they turned crises into stronger foundations for a future rooted in hope and dignity. Whether facing unstable housing, domestic violence, family conflict, substance use, or limited resources, Community Advocates is here to help.

Beyond direct services, 2025 was a year of meaningful milestones. We celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Milwaukee Women’s Center and the fifth anniversary of the Rental Housing Resource Center, hosted panel discussions and office tours, connected with neighbors at community events, and were uplifted by the incredible support of the 22nd annual Feed Your Soul arts-centered fundraiser.

Most importantly, we continued to bring our mission to life every day.

Community Advocates marked the beginning of our 50th anniversary year with a "Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future for Housing Stability" gathering at America's Black Holocaust Museum.

Attendees were honored to hear from Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who explained why he declared 2026 the Year of Housing; Brad Pruitt, Executive Director of America's Black Holocaust Museum, Community Advocates Board President Sharon R. Jordan; and David Muhammad, Deputy Director of the Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services, on the county's investments in housing.

Keynote speaker Dr. Kirk E. Harris, a nationally recognized urban planner, provided a local perspective on federal housing policies, the affordable housing crisis, and a potential path out of the crisis through community wealth building.

The event affirmed Community Advocates' commitment to serving Milwaukee community members struggling to meet their basic needs—including housing, safety, behavioral health, and economic self-sufficiency—while also working to improve systems to foster success and wellbeing.

Please join our anniversary events throughout this year—including our Baird Center celebration on September 18!

Our Chief Operating Officer Maudwella Kirkendoll was recently interviewed by Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service on his road to nonprofit leadership. We are inspired by the incredible story of Maudwella, a leader who truly beat the odds and continues to uplift our community every day. Thank you, Maudwella, for your dedication to our neighbors, for leading with heart, and for always lifting up others!

Congratulations go out to Ericka Crowley, Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center Director, and Shawanna Lindenberg, Housing Department Manager, for their recognition by the 2026 Truth Community Awards. Ericka received the Unsung Hero Award and Shawanna received the Advocacy Award, and both truly deserve them. Community Advocates celebrates and honors Ericka and Shawanna as changemakers in our community, and we appreciate their willingness to go above and beyond to serve others.

We are so grateful for the Shine a Lite program, presented by Molson Coors and Light the Hoan, which is lighting up the iconic Hoan Bridge in Community Advocates' signature green throughout March.

On March 8, we gathered to watch the Hoan shine in honor of our resilient and amazing Milwaukee community, alongside those who make Community Advocates’ mission possible.

As part of our reception at the Milwaukee Sail Loft, attendees had the opportunity to change the Hoan Bridge to any color of their choosing. Thank you to all who participated in this special event! 

In addition, on March 20, the Hoan glowed red in honor of Light and Unite Red Week, organized by RISE Drug Free MKE, to highlight the importance of making decisions about substance use based on facts, not myths. 

Once again, our supporters throughout the community have shown their generosity and care for those we serve. Some creative contributions include:

• Milwaukee Repertory Theater provided Community Advocates complimentary dinner and tickets to see August Wilson’s play "The Piano Lesson."
• Aurora Health Care's Mobile Health Clinic visits the Milwaukee Women's Center and Autumn West Safe Haven to provide on-site services, including consultations, blood pressure screenings, referrals, and education to shelter guests.
• Denizen MKE and Interwovxn celebrated International Women’s Day during an evening honoring women, women's health, and collective care in Wisconsin and beyond while recognizing Community Advocates and the Milwaukee Women's Center.
• The Earlybirds Club danced (early!) and raised money at the Vivarium to support the Milwaukee Women’s Center.
• Ian's Pizza Milwaukee donated pizzas to Autumn West Safe Haven in honor of National Pizza Day on February 29.
• Goodkind donated a delicious dinner for Milwaukee Women’s Center guests.
• Johnson Controls staff volunteers tidied up the clothing bank at our Milwaukee Women’s Center shelter.

Thanks so much for your kindness!

We’re excited to announce a new initiative designed to help survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking transition into safe, stable housing with dignity. The Zonta Club of Milwaukee and Community Advocates are partnering on Project Wellspring in honor of Zonta’s centennial anniversary this year.

In collaboration with Asha Family Services and Fresh Start Learning, Project Wellspring will support at least 12 households entering transitional or rapid rehousing by providing essential furnishings. The program will also offer case management to connect families with employment, health, legal, and wellness resources.

In addition, Zonta is establishing a flexible emergency fund to assist households when urgent, unexpected needs arise.

We are grateful for Zonta’s vision and partnership and look forward to working together to strengthen housing stability, promote long-term self-sufficiency, and foster a lifetime of dignity and hope.

The 2025-2026 Energy Assistance Benefit Season runs through May 15. But don't wait--the utility moratorium ends April 15.

During the benefit season, eligible Milwaukee County residents can 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. Check out this season’s eligibility requirements on our website.

If you are eligible, you may apply via phone, mail, or online. Please schedule your appointment by calling 414-270-4653 or by going to keepwarmmke.org. At the time of your scheduled appointment, you will receive a call to start your application. If you prefer to apply online, you can access the link to apply online at keepwarmmke.org. 

Community Advocates In-Person Energy Assistance Hours: Community Advocates has limited availability for walk-in clients at our downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. Stop by between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to apply in person. Our offices at 4906 W. Fond du Lac Ave., Milwaukee, are open to receive applications and provide assistance.

The Empowerment Coalition of Milwaukee (ECOM) is a monthly networking, educational, and professional development opportunity for social services professionals that features presentations from experts in the field.

The next ECOM session will be held on April 15, where participants will learn about job services, financial literacy, W2, FSET, and how financial coaching can help and find support for employment planning. 

As of January 7, Community Advocates has paused accepting new applications for direct rental assistance due to limited funding.

Exceptions apply for tenants facing:

• A placard
• Fire or domestic violence situations
• Residency in a Zilber Family Foundation Initiative Neighborhood (Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, Layton Boulevard West)

The Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center will continue offering eviction prevention resources, mediation referrals, and case management.

The RHRC walk-in clinic is located inside the Community Advocates building at 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233, and is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tenants and landlords are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. Intake specialists are available to assess your needs and provide connections to resources such as rent and utilities assistance, mediation services, and relocation support.

Additional assistance includes:

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

• Rental Property Listings: Milwaukee-area rental opportunities and property management companies are updated each week on our website. Get details.

• Additional Eviction Prevention Resources: Find resources in the community to help stabilize households. Download resources now.

• Berrada Tenants Program: Community Advocates provides support to Berrada tenants and people who seek income-based rental housing in a Berrada Management apartment. Get details.

• Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center: The RHRC walk-in clinic, located in the Community Advocates building at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, operates Monday through Friday, from 8 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.

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!

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, April 8.

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.

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