An LGBTQ advocacy group in Milwaukee is one step closer to opening the city’s first and only shelter serving homeless LGBTQ youth. The group recently completed the purchase of a property that will include an eight-bed home.
Courage MKE leaders say all they need now is clearance from the city and state for what they’re naming, The Courage House. According to co-founder Brad Schlaikowski, the home will be the first of its kind in Wisconsin.
The home Courage MKE purchased to open a group home for LGTBQ homeless teens. Photo courtesy of Courage MKE
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The group home would serve as a center for therapy sessions, have space for a computer lab, and provide job training.
Schlaikowski says whether teens have been on the street for a day or for months, they’ve undergone trauma.
“And I think that if they feel that they’re in a safe environment where everyone accepts them and it’s all about inclusion, it’s only going to help their healing process faster,” he said.
Nicholas Heck, an assistant psychology professor at Marquette University whose focus is on the health disparities among LGBTQ populations, says homelessness can negatively affect any teen.
“Add that to other kinds of stressors that LGBTQ adolescents are likely to experience in terms of like bullying or harassment, family rejection — it’s really challenging for this population,” said Heck.
Heck says homelessness is one of many problems LGBTQ youth disproportionately face. He said bullying and abuse are common and resources are limited.
“Generally speaking, there aren’t great services when it comes to wraparound care for this particular population,” he said.
The property was purchased for $50,000 cash, said Schlaikowski, with money coming from community donations. The organization’s goal is to partner with more businesses to fund additional services in the future.
Schlaikowski said the home will take any teen who comes to the home’s door seeking help or referrals from city services. The Milwaukee home will always have at least one paid staff member present — two during the day and one in the evening and overnight.
The Courage House is undergoing renovations and is slated to open November 2018.
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