Walker's Point Youth & Family Center

🎉 ¡Feliz !

This month, we honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Milwaukee’s Hispanic community. (If you haven’t noticed) we at Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center celebrate diversity! 🌎✨

Join the HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH KICKOFF CELEBRATION happening at Milwaukee’s Deer District THIS FRIDAY 9/13 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Hispanic Collaborative has so much planned, including Dueling Mariachi, Life Size Loteria, Food Trucks, Live Performances, and more! For more info, visit: https://www.hhm-mke.com/

🎉 A huge shoutout to our amazing volunteer, Iman! 🎉 We’re thrilled to announce that Iman has earned the Bronze Presidential Service Award for completing 102 volunteer hours this summer! 🏆

As our first recipient since becoming a certifying organization, Iman set the bar high! Volunteers who give their time from the heart and contribute at least 100 hours with us in a year are eligible for this prestigious award.

Iman’s last day was today, and she’s off to continue her journey at UW Milwaukee. We're so proud of her dedication and wish her all the best in her next chapter! 📚💫

👉👉👉 To begin your volunteer journey with us, contact Scarlette at [email protected] or visit https://www.walkerspoint.org/volunteer-internships

🤩 Shoutout to Krista at The Parenting Network for leading us in essential and informative all-staff training on child sexual abuse prevention from Darkness to Light called "Stewards of Children." The training was informative and walked us through practical ways to engage the 5 Steps to Protecting Children:

🧠1. Learn the Facts
🚫2. Minimize Opportunities
🗣3. Talk About It
👀4. Recognize the Signs
📣5. React Responsibly

🫶 "It's not children's responsibility to protect themselves." 🫶 This was a call to accountability and action from a person with lived experience featured in the training.

🤲 It is up to all of us to be the safe and caring adults our children need to thrive in life. 🤲

🌈Learn more at: https://www.theparentingnetwork.org/childcare-staff-training

🎒📚 As youth embark on another school year, let's make it a journey of discovery, excitement, and small victories! 🌟 The start of school is filled with new challenges and opportunities, and every step forward—no matter how small—deserves to be celebrated.

At Walker's Point Youth & Family Center, we strongly emphasize youth creating healthy, supportive relationships with safe, caring adults.

As adults, we play a crucial role in supporting our kids through this exciting time. One of the best ways to do that is by staying curious and engaged with their daily experiences. Asking the right questions can help us understand their world and show them we're here to support them every step of the way.

Here are some thoughtful questions to ask your kids after school:

1. What was the best part of your day? 🌈
2. Did you learn something that surprised you? 🤔
3. Who did you sit with at lunch today? 🍎
4. What made you smile or laugh today? 😄
5. What are you looking forward to tomorrow? 📅
6. What was the most challenging part of your day, and how did you handle it? 💪

Let's celebrate the little wins and create an environment where our kids feel supported and excited to learn. Together, we can make this school year the best one yet! 🎉📚

🏫🍎📚 As youth across Milwaukee go back to school, let’s remember the importance of mental health support for students! Students face challenges from many sources: family stress, peer pressure, social media, and more.

Here are some great resources for youth facing mental health crises or just needing to talk things out:

📱Walker’s Point 24 Hour Crisis Hotline - (414) 647-8200

📱Milwaukee County Crisis Line - (414) 257-7222

📱National Su***de Hotline - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

📱Milwaukee Public Schools Counseling - (414) 475-8128

Free, confidential counseling is available through Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center - just call the hotline (414) 647-8200

Here’s to a safe and happy school year!

🌟🧠

🏫🍎📚 Back-to-School season is here! As we gear up for another exciting year, let's remember the importance of wellness for our youth. Good sleep, healthy eating, and staying hydrated are key to their success in school. 💤🥗💧

But wellness goes beyond just physical health. Every young person needs a safe and caring adult they can count on. At Walker's Point Youth & Family Center, we’re dedicated to ensuring our youth have the support and care they need to thrive. Let's work together to make this school year the best one yet! 🌟👫

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We are proud to announce that Lindsay, our Community Therapist, and Joanna, our Youth & Family Therapist, are now trained in EMDR therapy! This cutting-edge training reflects our unwavering commitment to staff development and the continuous improvement of our youth-serving programs.

At Walker's Point Youth & Family Center, we strive to provide the best possible care for youth and families experiencing crisis and conflict. By equipping our incredible team with advanced skills, we're enhancing our ability to support and heal our community. Thank you, Lindsay and Joanna, for your dedication and passion! 💪❤️

🎨✨ A heartfelt THANK YOU to RoseArt and the RoseHeart Foundation for their generous donation of art supplies to our art therapy program at Walker's Point Youth & Family Center! Your support is making a profound difference in the lives of youth in crisis, providing them with a creative outlet for healing and expression. We are incredibly grateful for your kindness and commitment to our mission. Together, we're fostering hope and resilience. 🖌️❤️

📚✏️ It's essential for youth to have the supplies they need to succeed in school! At Walker's Point Youth & Family Center, we believe every child deserves the tools to learn and thrive. As the new school year approaches, you can make a difference by hosting a school supply drive with your friends, family, faith community, or workplace.

Join us in supporting our youth as they head back to school, ensuring they are prepared and confident for the year ahead. Together, we can create a brighter future! 🌟

🎒To start a backpack drive today, contact: [email protected]

🧠✨ July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! ✨🧠

This month, we honor and uplift the mental health experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Here’s a resource for hearing the crucial first-hand feedback and experiences of Black youth in Milwaukee: https://bit.ly/BlackYouthAchievementMKE

🌍 Why It Matters: BIPOC youth are often spoken for, not given the chance to express their own experiences and needs when it comes to many things that affect their lives, including mental health.

🤝 Support & Resources: Data You Can Use created the “Black Youth Achievement in Milwaukee” report to give BIPOC youth a way to share their personal feedback along with resources recommended by youth, and statistics about ways Black youth are thriving in Milwaukee.

💬 Let's Talk: Reading the first-hand experiences and recommendations of Black youth in the report proves that we have a LOT of work to do as a community to change the narrative around youth mental health and achievement. And there are great questions included that you can use for personal reflection or in conversation with family, friends, and colleagues.

Just reading the report isn’t enough! Use the questions and resources to bring the conversation about BIPOC youth mental health out into the open!

We can change the narrative in Milwaukee to one that focuses on how BIPOC youth are thriving, listen to what helped them get there, and put those recommendations into action. 📣🧡

Please be advised we are dealing with a phone issue at our shelter location. If you need to contact our shelter, please email [email protected]

Send a message to learn more

🚨 Urgent Volunteer Needed! 🚨

We need YOUR help! Our Runaway & Youth Crisis Center has three small windows that desperately need to be scraped and repainted. This is a quick and easy project that will make a big difference for our center and the youth we serve.

🛠 Project Details:

Task: Scrape and repaint 3 small windows
Time Commitment: Max 2 hours
Supplies: All provided

If you have a couple of hours to spare and want to make a positive impact in our community, please reach out to Scarlette at [email protected] ASAP!

Your help is needed to ensure the highest quality of dignity for our sheltered youth!

🎉🍔 Milwaukee Burger Company- Franklin Sales Support Walker’s Point THIS MONDAY! 🍔🎉

Hey, Milwaukee! 🌟 This Monday, July 29th, let's come together for a great cause! From 5 PM to 8 PM, 10% of all sales at Milwaukee Burger Company will support Walker's Point Youth and Family Center's Runaway and Teen Crisis Shelter. 🏠✨

Grab your friends and family, and enjoy some of the best burgers in town while making a difference in the lives of our local youth. 🍔👫❤️

📅 Date: Monday, July 29th
🕚 Time: 5 PM - 8 PM
📍 Location: Milwaukee Burger Company, 6421 S 27th Ave, Franklin, WI 53132

Donate while you Dine! Grab a burger, cheese curds, and tots to help provide a safe and supportive environment for teens in crisis. 🙌💙

See you there!✨

🧠✨ July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! ✨🧠

One of the many great ways to help youth struggling with their mental health? Make time and space for youth to CELEBRATE JOY!

🤝 Why It Matters: Black, Indigenous, & People of Color face stressors like any other youth or young adult, with the added prejudices of prejudices and injustices fueled by racism. It is crucial that we create safer spaces for youth and young adults in Milwaukee to celebrate joy, have fun, and create healthy friendships.

🫂Support & Resources: Cultivate Black Joy! Intentionally create times and spaces where BIPOC youth can connect with one another, support one another through crisis, practice self care together, and be creative together. Dance! Celebrate! Play! Sing! Create! Garden! Watch Movies! Attend Festivals! DO ALL THE THINGS!

📚 Learn & Share: Check out this link to learn more about “Why Black Joy is Important According to 10 Young People” at the LINK IN OUR BIO

Continue to spread the word about BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! Share this post, use the hashtag , and join the movement for mental health equity.

Milwaukee can be a place where everyone has access to opportunities to celebrate themselves and CREATE JOY! 🤗

Milwaukee Public Library Milwaukee Recreation Black Arts Fest MKE MKE Parks

🧠✨ July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! ✨🧠

Knowing the signs of depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges is vital to helping youth and young adults in our community thrive.

🤝 Why It Matters: Recognizing when a young person is struggling with their mental health means being able to connect them to supportive services sooner rather than later. Identifying the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges can allow for early intervention, preventing symptoms from getting worse.

🫂Support & Resources: Here are just a few signs that a young person may be struggling:
- Changes in sleep patterns (insomnia or excessive sleeping)
- Changes in eating habits (noticeable changes in weight, binging or skipping meals)
- Excessive risk-taking behaviors
- Dramatic shifts in mood
- Expressions of hopelessness
- Loss of interest in activities that usually bring them happiness

📚 Learn & Share: Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services has resources available! Call their Crisis Line at: 414-257-7222 or visit: https://bit.ly/mentalhealthMKE for more information about their many mental health resources available to youth.

Continue to spread the word about BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! Share this post, use the hashtag , and join the movement for mental health equity.

Milwaukee can be a place where everyone has access to the mental health support they need to thrive if we work together to support BIPOC youth by knowing the signs that youth are struggling with mental health 🤗

Milwaukee County Department of Health & Human Services

🥳 Join us at MobCraft Beer for the release party of their new brew 🍻(Not So) Horrible City IPA🍻 this Saturday from Noon-3pm. Proceeds from the event support our youth! Thanks to MobCraft for choosing us as one of the recipients of this fun event!🫶

🧠✨ July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! ✨🧠

Resource sharing is critical to supporting BIPOC folks on their mental health journeys. A major challenge for Black, Indigenous, & People of Color is finding a mental health provider from their racial or ethnic group.

🤝 Why It Matters: Black, Indigenous, & People of Color have unique experiences and face stressors and mental health challenges directly related to systemic and interpersonal biases and prejudices based on race and ethnicity. It's critical that people have access to mental health providers who can speak directly to these experiences.

🫂Support & Resources: PsychologyToday.com has a Therapist Finder tool that will help you find a BIPOC therapist! You can also find therapists by gender (male, female, nonbinary), those who take your insurance or offer affordable options for those without insurance, those with experience with your specific diagnosis, and more.

📚 Learn & Share: Continue to spread the word about BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! Share this post, use the hashtag , and join the movement for mental health equity.

Milwaukee can be a place where everyone has access to the mental health support they need to thrive if we work together to support BIPOC providers 🤗

🚴 We continue to be overwhelmed with gratitude for Ryan's amazing cycling journey around Lake Michigan and how it continues to raise awareness for our mission to support youth in crisis through their own challenges and successes.

💡Thank you to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for spotlighting this inspiring story.

🌟🏁RYAN CROSSED THE FINISH LINE!🏁🌟

🚴‍♂️After 13 days on his bike, Ryan crossed the finish line today, completing his 1100 mile trip cycling around all of Lake Michigan. “I’m happy to be home and I’m glad I made it!” said Ryan, “There were a few times in the last couple of days when I thought I wasn’t going to make it, but I kept going, and I made it.” On what kept him going, Ryan said, “I had a goal I wanted to achieve. I wanted to succeed.”

🫶Ryan was encouraged along the way by his family, friends, and other supporters, who gave nearly $1,500 to his fundraising efforts for Walker’s Point, surpassing his original $1k goal.

🥰As he crossed the finish line to his family's cheers, Ryan felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and gratitude for accomplishing such an ambitious goal.

🥇We at Walker’s Point are also grateful for Ryan’s fundraising efforts and the inspiring story of his ride. Like Ryan, we know the value of setting ambitious goals, having strong support systems, and being motivated by an inner drive, as well as a greater purpose. Thank you, Ryan, for being an inspiration to our youth!

🤩 We are so thankful to all those who have already donated AND we’re only $65 from $1500! If you’re feeling inspired to give, the link will be active through the end of this week: https://bit.ly/ryanlapsthelake

🌟 A Huge THANK YOU to the Milwaukee Admirals! 🌟

🤩We are incredibly grateful to the Milwaukee Admirals for their generous donation of $3,800 to Walker's Point Youth and Family Center made possible through the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Chuck-A-Puck promotion. 🏒

🥇The Admirals have been long-time supporters, and their contributions help us be a consistent presence for young people in need. Their ongoing support allows us to continue providing vital services such as shelter, mental health counseling, and housing programs for youth ages 11-25 experiencing crisis.

🫶Together, we are making a difference in our community! 🫶

🧠✨ July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! ✨🧠

This month, we honor and uplift the mental health experiences of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, and it's important to recognize the unique challenges faced by BIPOC communities.

🌍 Why It Matters: BIPOC communities often face systemic barriers, cultural stigmas, and disparities in access to mental health resources. By raising awareness, we aim to foster understanding, support, and change.

💬 Let's Talk: Engage in conversations about mental health. Share your stories, listen to others, and educate yourself about the unique mental health challenges BIPOC individuals face.

🤝 Support & Resources: There are numerous organizations and resources dedicated to supporting BIPOC mental health. We’ll be sharing just a few of these resources throughout the month of July. EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS? Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for 24/7/365 access to crisis support.

📚 Learn & Share: Spread the word about BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month! Share this post, use the hashtag , and join the movement for mental health equity.

Together, we can make a difference. Let's create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive mentally and emotionally. 💪🧡

🎆 Happy 4th of July! 🎆

As we celebrate our nation's independence this 4th of July, let's remember that freedom also includes empowering our youth to live independently and chase their dreams. Every young person deserves the support and opportunities to thrive in their journey to adulthood.

At Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center, we support and celebrate every step that youth take toward independence. Our youth are not just the future, but also the present, so please join us in celebrating youth every day!

🌟Hope Lives Here!🌟

Don't let the end of Pride month mean the end of your concern for LGBTQIA+ youth! 🫶 The National Network for Youth recently reported that LGBTQIA+ youth have a 120% higher risk for experiencing homelessness: a staggering number. 😲 They also report that LGBTQIA+ youth, and especially Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) youth, are at a higher risk of "assault, trauma, depression, and su***de" while also being homeless.

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️This is why it is so essential that Milwaukee has safe places where LGBTQIA+ youth can find compassion, shelter, mental healthcare, and access to other crisis services. At Walker's Point Youth & Family Center we provide all of these vital programs. 🥰

Check out the report and consider supporting Walker's Point with a recurring donation so we can continue to provide life-sustaining services to Milwaukee's youth.

Article: https://bit.ly/nn4yLGBTQ

🌈 Happy Pride Month! 🌈

We're surrounded by so many incredible LGBTQIA+ icons who have shaped our world with their courage, creativity, and love. From trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson, Jane Addams, Billy Porter, and Bayard Rustin to modern-day heroes like Laverne Cox and Lil Nas X, each has made a lasting impact on our journey toward equality and acceptance.

We want to hear from you! Who is your LGBTQIA+ superhero? Share their name and why they inspire you in the comments below. Let's celebrate their stories and contributions together! 🌟

Remember, Pride isn’t just one month a year – it’s a continuous celebration of love, diversity, and resilience. Join Walker's Point in carrying the spirit of Pride with us every single day, supporting and uplifting each other as we seek the best for Milwaukee's young people!

🏳️‍🌈❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

Hey friends! Our June e-newsletter is ready to read, and you won't want to miss it!

✨ Highlights this month:

✌️ Deon found ways nurture inner peace despite family chaos
🚲 Our friend Ryan is cycling around Lake Michigan to support our youth
📅 Mark your calendars for 2025's Hope BREWS Here: A Gala-Lite event

Jump in for inspiring stories, upcoming events, and a peek behind the scenes at how your support is making a difference. Your support ensures HOPE LIVES HERE 😍

Friend, read how Deon found peace in life's chaos 🙏 Save the Date for "Hope Brews Here"   DONATE   We provide youth in crisis with an inclusive and stable space where they are empowered to create a safe and healthy life. Hello Audra, Summer is in

Aaaaaand he's off!!! 🚴Ryan took to the pedals today to begin his solo, 13-day, 1100 mile ride around all of Lake Michigan. We're excited and grateful as he's using the ride as an opportunity to raise money and awareness for Walker's Point Youth and Family Center 🤩

Ryan shares more about his ride and the importance of challenging yourself and supporting others through challenging times. Click the link below to learn more!

https://bit.ly/ryanlapsthelake

🫶Wishing you a safe and fun ride, Ryan! 😁

🌈✨ Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month with a tribute to a trailblazer whose legacy continues to inspire unity and resilience within our community! 🏳️‍🌈🌟 Bayard Rustin, an unsung hero of the civil rights movement, exemplified the power of forging bonds with chosen family to ensure the support we need to thrive.

Rustin worked around a discriminatory system to ensure legal protections between his partner and him by being adopted by his partner in 1982. Rustin's journey reminds us that family isn't solely defined by blood ties but by the connections we forge based on shared experiences, mutual respect, and deep compassion. LGBTQ youth often thrive because of the unconditional love and support they find in their chosen families.

This Pride Month, let's celebrate the diversity of our community, embracing the importance of chosen family as a strong foundation for LGBTQ resilience. Together, we stand stronger, prouder, and more united than ever! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

🌟 Celebrating Juneteenth | June 19th🌟

Hey everyone! Today, we honor Juneteenth, a day that marks the long-awaited end of slavery in the United States and celebrates the freedom, resilience, and strength of the Black community.

To all the incredible young people out there: you are the future! Juneteenth is a reminder the importance of standing up for justice and equality. Your voices, your dreams, and your actions are shaping a brighter, more inclusive world.

Let's take this day to learn from the past, celebrate progress, and continue to push for change. Embrace your heritage, be proud of who you are, and know that you have the power to make a difference. Walker’s Point is here to help you make your dreams of a better Milwaukee come true!

Happy Juneteenth! ✊🏾❤️💛💚

🌈✨ Celebrating LGBTQ Pride Month with a tribute to an icon who paved the way for compassion and social justice! 📚 Jane Addams, often hailed as the mother of social work, continues to inspire generations through the ways she championed the rights of marginalized individuals, recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every person, regardless of their background or identity.

♀️ ❤️🧡🤍🩷Historians have noted that Addams “spent her adult years, almost until her death, with other women, in long-term relationships that we would describe as le***an today.” Her belief in the ability of youth to create the world anew through their genius and courage laid the foundation for community-based support systems that have become invaluable to LGBTQ youth today. At Walker's Point, we also believe that youth are the experts in creating their lives with beauty, genius, and courage.

Let's celebrate Jane Addams by nurturing safe and empowering spaces for Milwaukee’s youth and reminding ourselves of the importance of creating a more inclusive world for all. Happy Pride! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

Can you imagine cycling all the way around Lake Michigan? 😲 That's just what our friend Ryan Reichard will be doing in a couple of weeks. 🚴 He's embarking on a solo, 13-day, 1100-mile journey and is taking the opportunity to challenge you to support the youth and young adults of Walker's Point Youth & Family Center by sponsoring him mile-by-mile! 100% of your donation supports our vital youth crisis services.

To learn more about Ryan's ride and his motivation to give back, click on the link below and make a donation!

😍 Thank you for choosing to support us in this unique way, Ryan! We're rooting for you!

Send a message to learn more