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Our Mission

Journey House empowers families on Milwaukee's near Southside to move out of poverty by offering Adult Education, Youth Development, THRIVE Workforce Development, and Family Engagement.

Our Vision

Every individual and family in Clarke Square will be given the tools and resources to succeed and contribute personally, professionally, and civically to the neighborhood and our greater Milwaukee community.
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Archived Reports Click images to view PDF

2018
               2017
              2016
2015
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2014
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2013
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2012
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2011
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In the News


Good news! That's the kind of news we like to see, and Journey House has been fortunate to have the positive attention of the media in a number of different ways over the years.  Here are some stories to help you better understand our mission of empowering families to move out of poverty.

In-Print & Online

Clarke Square Apartments Open
New Buildings Bookend South Side Park, Provide Affordable Housing
July 2020
Cafe-Cop House Coming to Clarke Square
​Urban Milwaukee - November 19, 2019​
Journey House, Cardinal Capital celebrate Clarke Square Apartments groundbreaking
BizTimes - May 3, 2019

Quality, affordable housing:’ Groundbreaking ceremony held for Clarke Square Apartments
Fox6Now - May 3, 2019
 
​Milwaukee's Journey House at 50: still changing the lives of our city's poor
​Journal Sentinel - February 1, 2019
Organizations that care -- 3 bright spots for Milwaukee's underserved youth
November 16, 2018
ZNI SPURS QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS IN CLARKE SQUARE OVER PAST DECADE
Neighborhood News Service - November, 2018
BankWork$ partners with Employ Milwaukee on vocational training program
Milwaukee Business Journal - October 25, 2018
Banking career training program will launch in Milwaukee
BizTimes - October 25th, 2018
Longfellow School, Journey House & Water St. Brewery host homework dinners
OnMilwaukee - October 11, 2018
Milwaukee’s south side now home to Major League-quality baseball field
WDJT58 - September 20, 2018
Cortarán el listón del renovado complejo deportivo donde jugará la Liga Pequeña
​Félix Mantilla
Pride and joy' in local youth field makeover
MLB - September 21, 2018
Youth Baseball Field Transformation
Today's TMJ4 - September 21, 2018
Journey House youth football program trains players to be successful on and off the field
​Fox6now.com - August 29, 2018

In high-trauma Milwaukee, Journey House sees mental health therapy as missing link
JSOnline July 17, 2018
Financial Education is a Key to Success--
for Our Youth, and Our Economy

LISC April 2018

Milwaukee apartments for homeless youth among projects receiving tax credit financing
Journal Sentinel - February 27, 2018

Units Milwaukee Proudly Supports Hurricane Relief Efforts on Behalf of Felix Mantilla Little League
February 2018
Journey House's offer of $2.8 million for Baran Park ball fields spurs Milwaukee County public access debate
Journal Sentinel - December 11, 2017
Public-private plan would build youth baseball
complex at Baran Park

OnMilwaukee, December 5, 2017

Journey House plans Baran Park renovation, job training program
BizTimes - November 30, 2017
“It’s exciting:” Bucks team up with BuyCostumes.com to deliver free Halloween costumes
Fox6 News - October 24, 2017
Alum helps recent foster children find homes
UWM Report - October 9, 2017
CAMP GAB OFFERS TEENS FUN WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE
Generations Against Bullying - August, 2017
Puerto Rican Little League team visits Milwaukee
in cultural exchange

Milwaukee Neighborhood News - August 19, 2017
Félix Mantilla: A World Series Champion Who Continues to Teach Kids On and Off the Field
Latino Sports - August 15, 2017
THE FELIX MANTILLA EXCHANGE WELCOMES 14 PUERTO RICAN LITTLE LEAGUERS TO MILWAUKEE
Milwaukee Magazine - August 14, 2017
Former Braves' Felix Mantilla and sons use baseball to build bridges between Milwaukee and Puerto Rico
​Journal Sentinel - August 11, 2017
Felix Mantilla Little League draws 35 Puerto Rican
visitors for exchange program

OnMilwaukee - August 8, 2017
Michele Bria: Leading a Journey to Change
UWM Alumni Article 2017
Gurda: The long-established, and growing,
Latino family in Milwaukee

Journal Sentinel - May 17, 2017
Journey House publishes book about
Little League trip to Puerto Rico

Neighborhood News Service - MAY 4, 2017
A TIME TO HEAL - Lessons from history
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - March 30, 2017
Baran Park To Get $2.3 Million Upgrade
Urban Milwaukee - March 23, 2017
Journey House proposes $2.3 million renovation of Baran Park baseball fields
Neighborhood News Service - March 22, 2017
Journey House Community Garden
​a source of pride for Clarke Square

On Milwaukee - February 5, 2017
Drug House Becomes Community Garden
Urban Milwaukee - February 3, 2017
Journey House Community Garden,
Source of Pride for Clarke Square

Neighborhood News Service - February 2, 2017
Mentee goes extra mile to Be The Difference
for mentor's organization

Marquette University Alumni Association Mentor
Newsletter January 2017
Zoning committee approves foster care apartments
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - January 31, 2017
EYES ON MILWAUKEE - Clarke Square Apartments Advance
Urban Milwaukee - January 31, 2017
Revitalize Milwaukee selects Clarke Square as
2017 ‘Block Build’ neighborhood

BizTimes - January 13, 2017
Donovan Favors Journey House Plan
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service -January 12, 2017
Proposed Clarke Square apartments to house
youth aging out of foster care

Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service - January 11, 2017
Milwaukee Bucks hold town hall for city workers on arena project: Slideshow
Milwaukee Business Journal - December 21, 2016
Project would include apartments for former foster care youth
​Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - December 13, 2016
Land and Space: Housing for homeless young people
​Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - December 12, 2016
Bucks, SkillSmart partner on workforce development platform for arena district
​OnMilwaukee.com - Dec. 8, 2016
Finalists announced for prestigious MANDI awards
​Neighborhood News Bulletin - Dec. 8, 2016
The Gala that gives Milwaukee families in need
a Christmas to remember

​OnMilwaukee.com - Dec. 7, 2016 ​
 Unique Apartments for Clarke Square
OnMilwaukee.com - Dec 7th, 2016
Clarke Square apartment plans endorsed in Milwaukee
Bizjournals.com - Dec 5, 2016​
Clarke Square Apartments Win Preliminary OK
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - December 5, 2016
Saturday is 10th Annual Milwaukee 'Shop with a Cop' for Area Children
Milwaukee Patch - December 2, 2016
Affordable Apartments Proposed in Milwaukee's Clarke Square Neighborhood
Milwaukee Business Journal - November 28, 2016
Apartments Planned for Clarke Square Area
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (November 28, 2016)
Little Leaguers Welcomed On, Off Field in Puerto Rico
Catholic Herald - November 3, 2016
15 Minutes with Dr. Michele Bria
M – Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine - November 1, 2016
Journey House opens second property to house youth aging out of foster care
OnMilwaukee.com - October 29, 2016
The Growth of Journey House
UrbanMilwaukee.com - October 27, 2016
The Growth of Journey House
Neighborhood News Service - October 27, 2016
Journey House Opens Second Property to House Youth Aging Out of Foster Care (October 26, 2016)
Neighborhood News Service - October 26, 2016
Bucks Refurbish Indoor Community Courts
NBA.com - October 26, 2016
Bucks refurbish public courts, renovate community centers as part of Tipoff Week
OnMilwaukee.com - October 25, 2016
Mitchell Park Courts Refurbished
NBA.com - October 25, 2016
Delly Hosts Youth Basketball Clinic at Journey House
NBA.com - October 17, 2016
Bucks Guard Matthew Dellavedova Leads Youth Basketball Clinic
NBA.com - October 17, 2016
Doors Open showcases Sherman Park and Clarke Square
jsonline.com - September 14, 2016
Community Health Mural
YouTube - September 12, 2016
Doors Open Milwaukee Event
jsonline.com - September 9, 2016
Bucks Host 5th Annual Jam Master Jay Back to School Bash for Milwaukee Students
NBA.com - August 31, 2016
Legendary DMC holds annual Back-to-School Bash for 300 students
CBS 58 - August 29, 2016
A baseball pioneer takes a road trip, with Little Leaguers, to his native Puerto Rico 
Fox News Latino - August 17, 2016
Bucks host "Own Your Future" career day 
​NBA.com - July 19, 2016
Milwaukee employs new methods to combat food deserts
Milwaukee Neighborhood News Source - July 13, 2016
For Little Leaguers, trip to Puerto Rico is about more than baseball
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - July 5, 2016
Northwestern Mutual Foundation awards nearly $1 million in grants to Milwaukee neighborhoods 
jsonline - June 9, 2016
Kick-off party and classes planned for Clark Square Community Garden 
OnMilwaukee.com - June 6, 2016
Felix Mantilla Has MKE Little Leaguers Ready to Play in Puerto Rico
Milwaukee Magazine - June 3, 2016
Mayor's Design Awards honor modest projects, 
refashioned factories

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jsonline - May 23, 2016
Feasting on Philanthropy
BizTimes - April 4, 2016
Félix Mantilla Implementa El Programa De Intercambio Cultural Para Jugadores Puertorriqueños Y Norteamericanos (English Version)
Beisbol Mundial - April 1, 2016
Fundraiser To Honor Former Brave, Felix Mantilla
Catholic Herald - March 24, 2016
Felix Mantilla Little League sending Milwaukee kids to play in Puerto Rico
OnMilwaukee.com - March 22, 2016
‘Blackish’ Star Anthony Anderson and J.J. Watt Lead Star Power at Driven to Achieve Awards
Business Journal – March 21, 2016
Journey House little league players to compete in Puerto Rico
BizTimes - March 18, 2016
​Major Leaguers for a day: Mantilla Little Leaguers get tour of Miller Park, donated equipment
Fox6 News - March 16, 2016
Anuncian Fecha de la Instalación de la Estatua Cesar Chávez
Telemundo WI - March 9, 2016
Former Journey House Packers quarterback recruited to play college football 
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OnMilwaukee.com - March 7, 2016
New Felix Mantilla Little League baseball exchange program will help educate and raise cultural awareness among urban youth.
Neighborhood News Service - March 4, 2015
State Farm grant supports LISC career and financial consulting program
Milwaukee Business Journal - February 25, 2016
Packers Foundation donates $200,000 to Green Bay East H.S. football program
Fox6 News - February 15, 2016
Arrowhead's Broadway Company brightens Christmas for Milwaukee family
Lake Country Reporter - January 18, 2016
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Journey House Hosts Annual Winter Wonderland Celebration
Neighborhood News Service - December 21, 2015
Meals for the holidays delivered to those in need
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - December 11, 2015
Guide to Giving Back
Shepherd Express - November, 2015
Community involvement, more dialogue with
police key to public safety

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milwaukeenns.org, November 17, 2015 By Wyatt Massey
Bader Philanthropies issues more than $1.6 million in workforce development grants
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bizjournals.com - November 13, 2015
UNCOM sponsors 8th annual Walk for Wellness
milwaukeenns.org - September 2015
Mayor invites thousands of kids to Brewers game
wisn.com - July 2015
New housing program provides optimism and hope
milwaukeenns.org - June 2015
Foundation making a difference with Journey House
aosmith.com - May 2015
'Full-service' schools meet community needs
madison.com - April 2015
Neighborhood Leaders Applaud Mayor Barrett's SOTC Speech
milwaukeenns.org - March 2015
Pilot Program to offer housing, support for homeless young adults
milwaukeenns.org - February 2015
Milwaukee BID 38 to unveil César E. Chávez Bronze Statue
hispanicnewsnetwork.blogspot.com - February 2015
Carnegie Foundation recognizes UWM for community engagement
www5.uwm.edu - January 2015
80 children to shop for holiday gifts with law enforcement
fox6now.com - December 2014
UWM Coach Rob Jeter and Panthers Staff Educate Youth
mkepanthers.com - October 2014
Journey House CEO receives women of influence award
milwaukeenns.org - May 2014
Packers help open Journey House's new 'Packers Field'
packers.com - June 2013
Grand Opening for Journey House Packers Field
OnMilwaukee.com - May 2013
Business Journal Women of Influence Award Winners
Milwaukee Business Journal – May 2014
Packers’ Old Turf Helps Revitalize South Side Milwaukee Neighborhood
WUWM – April 9, 2014
Social Innovation Initiative at Marquette University
Photo Gallery: New Journey House Football Field
urbanmilwaukee.com - October 2012
Journey House board member receives prestigious award
milwaukeenns.org - August 2012
Journey House Celebrates New Building
JSOnline - July 2012
Journey House holds grand opening for new center
milwaukeenns.org - June 2012

New center for Longfellow, Journey House
milwaukeenns.org - March 2011
All University Alumni Award: Spirit of Marquette
Marquette: The Magazine of Marquette University - Summer 2006

Radio & Television

It’s better than we hoped:” Kids from 2 countries bring language, cultural gaps with ease
Fox6 News - August 22, 2017
At the Threshold: Enter the System (Episode 1)
88Nine Radio Milwaukee
State of WI 37th MLK Celebration
Wisconsin Public Television - January 16, 2017
Gift of access: Kooky Cooky House is back at Discover World!
Fox6 News - December 1, 2016
Bucks players help renovate basketball courts at several Milwaukee County Parks
WTMJ-TV - October 24, 2016
Propiedad Hipotecada Transformada en Vivienda para Jóvenes
Telemundo Wisconsin - October 21, 2016
See how Journey House is empowering families on Milwaukee’s near south side
Real Milwaukee - September 28, 2016
Urban Gardening in Milwaukee Comes With Risks – Possible Lead in the Soil
WUWM 89.7FM - September 7, 2016
Little Leaguers Get Trip of a Lifetime​
Time Warner Cable Sports - September 1, 2016
Former MLB star Felix Mantilla gives Little Leaguers gift of his native Puerto Rico
Fox News Latino - August 30, 2016
Former MLB Star helps Little League team make unforgettable trip to Puerto Rico
Fox6 News - August 29, 2016
Young Milwaukeeans Train For Careers in Construction, While Earning a GED
WUWM 89.7 FM - August 17, 2016
Earn and learn teaches students behind the scenes jobs 
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WISN-12 - July 15, 2016 
Driven to Achieve TV Special (teaser link)
WISN-12 - April 9, 2016
Felix Mantilla Little League on Orgullo Latino Radio (in Spanish)
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WMSE 91.7 FM - April 3, 2016
Felix Mantilla's Milwaukee Little League Team to Travel to Puerto Rico
WUWM Radio - March 30, 2016
Black Nouveau - #2425 on MPTV Video
March 23, 2016
Felix Mantilla Little League on Zona ESPN
ESPN - March 18, 2016
Donald Driver Surprises 2016 Driven to Achieve Award Winners
YouTube - March 18, 2016
Milwaukee Commercial Featuring Dr. Bria
Milwaukee Radio Group - March 18, 2016
Moving forward: Milwaukee Co. committee approves $500K for repairs to “Show Dome”
Fox6 News - March 8, 2016
Immigrant Learns English For New Life In Milwaukee
Wisconsin Public Radio - February 15, 2016
​Diamonds in the Rough – Teaser
MPTV - June 2, 2015
Click Here to View

Diamonds in the Rough – Full Episode
MPTV - November 24, 2015
Click Here to View
Journey House CLC by Melissa Ramirez
YouTube - 2015
Journey House opens Reading Oasis Room
fox6now.com - July 2015
New apartments to house those aging out of foster care
Today's TMJ4 - June 2015
MKE Mayor Kicks Off Men's Health Month
cbs58.com - June 2015
WISN 12 News rides around Milwaukee with Mayor Barrett
wisn.com - May 2015
New initiative will provide homeless teens with housing
cbs58.com - February 2015
Sommer's Automotive and Young Milwaukee Donate Van
jrn.com - December 2014
Transforming a foreclosed building into a house of hope
fox6now.com - October 2014
Rundown home to get new life
jrn.com - October 2014
Journey House serves residents of Clarke Square
88Nine RadioMilwaukee - July 2014
Journey House and Legends of the Field
TMJ4's The Morning Blend on YouTube - January 2014
Aaron Rodgers visits three sisters from Journey House
itsaaron.com - January 2014
Ambassadors working to clean up south side neighborhoods
jrn.com - September 2013
New Packers Field opens in Mitchell Park
fox6now.com - June 2013
Journey House works to improve quality of life
jrn.com - April 2013
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Our Journey


Since 1969, Journey House has been transforming lives in and around Milwaukee's near south side.  Over time, the organization has grown from a small start-up founded by VISTA volunteers to a highly-visible community asset located physically and figuratively in the center of Clarke Square.  Journey House continues to serve as a premier catalytic agent of change for the individuals and families that utilize its resources.

Where We Were

The Happy Moon Journey House derived its name from the United States' successful lunar landing in 1969.  VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) workers established Journey House as a community service operation staffed 100% by volunteers.  The goal was to help youth and families living in poverty to overcome obstacles and attain a higher quality of life.  The primary focus of the agency was on local youth and young adults.  With ping-pong and pool tables, a soda machine, and plenty of open space for volunteers to engage youth in activities such as arts and crafts, leather work, and photography, the facility offered a safe place for youth to get away from urban and peer pressures.  Supplies and materials were provided thanks to the generosity of Zion United Church of Christ (S. 14th St. and Greenfield Ave.).
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Happy Moon Journey House, 1100 S. 16th St.
Journey House received its first grant in 1970 from the Social Development Commission (SDC) Youth Development Institute.  The Center's first Director (Frank Miller) and Assistant Director (John Gurda) were hired, and volunteers continued to drive Journey House's programming.  Additional funding was acquired throughout the 1970s as Journey House demonstrated a capacity to engage with the community in meaningful ways.  In addition to administrative staff, Journey House was able to hire adult educators and youth workers who could offer more consistent programs to residents of Clarke Square and the surrounding community.  As is the case today, volunteers continued to play an integral role in the everyday happenings of Journey House, as four different directors oversaw the agency during this decade. 

History of JH Directors:  Frank Miller (1971-1972) | Bill Arndt (1972-1973) | Sandy Lardinois (1973-1978) | Tom Williams (1978-1986) | Steve Peterson (1987) | Todd Loe (1987-1991) | Nicolette Pump (1991-1998)

Youth programming became more formalized in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  The Journey House youth center took on the name of Kids Korner and included Youth Employment and Training Programs (YETP).  The mid-1980s were challenging times at Journey House, as several grants ended.  The remaining staff and center were forced to relocate to 1538 W. National Ave in 1986.  Things began trending back upward in 1987, however, as Journey House purchased a church at 1900 W. Washington Street in order to better position itself to serve the needs of the community.  The church was retrofitted to serve the agency's programs, and the primary activities at this location revolved around adult education programs.
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Adult Learning Center | 1900 W. Washington St.
Dr. Michele Bria joined the Journey House staff in 1996 as Education Director. Just over two years later, she assumed the role of Executive Director.  She continues to lead Journey House today, now under the title of CEO.  Dr. Bria envisioned great things for Journey House, and one of those visions included world-class facilities. While Journey House was fortunate to have multiple spaces to house its diverse activities, that space did not always serve the needs of the neighborhood to its fullest. Ceiling tiles falling on GED students' heads, water-logged carpets from leaky roofs in the youth center, windows that would not open. It was space, yes, but it was not the kind of space that made participants believe they were valued and appreciated as part of the community. While the staff always made tremendous use of very limited resources and cramped, dim gathering spaces, there was the sense that Journey House could be something more, that it could offer even more to the community than it could in this space.
The new millennium brought with it a new era for the Journey House. Beginning in the early 2000s, the agency embarked on an ambitious capital campaign with the goal of building a single facility to house all of Journey House's programs and improve staff efficiency. Through a unique public-private partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools, the agency secured a relationship with Longfellow Elementary School to build a new facility on part of the school's large playground. Construction of Journey House's current facility began in 2010.
In the midst of Journey House's capital campaign, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity arose to receive the turf from the Green Bay Packers' Ray Nitschke practice field. Wisconsin's beloved football team had acquired new turf and removed, rolled up and stored the old practice field. When the team learned of Journey House's youth football program, they graciously offered to donate their former practice field. Journey House again secured a new public-private partnership, this time with Milwaukee County Parks, and the field would be installed in Mitchell Park behind the Mitchell Domes in 2012. The entrance to the Journey House Packers Stadium stands on Pierce Street at South 22nd Street in Milwaukee County Mitchell Park.  
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Where We Are

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Located on Milwaukee's near south side, Journey House serves a population comprised primarily of Latino and African-American youth and adults.  Participants in Journey House's programs come principally from the neighborhoods directly surrounding the agency, but individuals and families from 14 different zip codes around the city regularly take advantage of the services and resources Journey House offers.  Here are the principal programs and activities the agency provides:
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Adult Education
GED Preparation
English Language Learners
Citizenship
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Youth Development
Youth Athletics
Personal Development Programs
College Careers
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Workforce Development
THRIVE
Neighborhood Ambassadors
Campus Housing Initiative
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Family Engagement
Holiday Events
Community Resource Fairs
Journey House has experienced tremendous growth since its new facility opened its doors in May 2012.  The organization serves over 6,000 different individuals annually through its core programs of adult education, youth development, workforce readiness, and family engagement.  Journey House is a proud member organization of the United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM) and eagerly participates in partnerships and collaborative relationships with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations throughout the Metro Milwaukee area.
As Journey House continues to grow, careful fiscal oversight and financial sustainability remain a prominent focus in order to ensure that the promises the organization makes to its participants can be upheld now and into the future. With a diverse funding stream and a focus on securing local dollars, the agency works diligently to provide the highest quality of services without becoming too dependent on any particular source of support.

Where We Are Going

Journey House has demonstrated tremendous capacity for growth as an organization.  More importantly, Journey House's growth has been accompanied by a profound impact on the Clarke Square neighborhood and the greater Milwaukee community.  When other agencies have needed to discontinue services or close their doors due to limited resources, Journey House has stepped forward to ensure that the community would not be negatively impacted by the change.  Journey House has embraced the challenges that come along with serving a diverse clientele in a challenging neighborhood, and the results have shown that community investments pay off in the form of reduced violence, increased community engagement, and more people employed.

As time marches on, Journey House is focused on enhancing current programs and seeking ways to have an even more profound impact on current and prospective participants.  The Journey House facilities--both the organization's central building, as well as the Journey House Packers Stadium--represent the investments of a committed Board of Directors, hardworking staff, and eager participants.  The next step is to take what exists and make it even better through a commitment to retention and onboarding of high-quality staff who effectively deliver Journey House's programs in a professional manner unparalleled for a community organization anywhere throughout the country.

Journey House is eager to see what the future holds.  Milwaukee residents living in poverty respond ambitiously to the opportunity to increase their quality of life.  Journey House has played a significant catalyzing role in this process since 1969.  We are committed to long-term impact and ensuring that the services we offer meet the needs and wishes of the community we serve.  To accomplish this, Journey House will continue to collaborate with organizations throughout the greater Milwaukee community.  We look forward to what the future holds!
Our 5-year Vision
(Created in 2013)
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