It's the Right Thing To Do.

Last Prisoner Project

The Last Prisoner Project (LPP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cannabis-related criminal justice reform. As the United States moves away from the criminalization of cannabis, giving rise to a major new industry, there remains the fundamental injustice inflicted upon those who have suffered under America’s unjust policy of cannabis prohibition. Through intervention, advocacy and awareness campaigns, the Last Prisoner Project works to redress the past and continuing harms of these inhumane and ineffective laws and policies.

Pathfinders

Pathfinders provides safety, hope and healing for unhoused youth aged 11 to 25 in Milwaukee and surrounding communities. With a focus on meeting youth's immediate needs and supporting their long-term stability, Pathfinders offers housing, shelter, street outreach, mental wellness, employment and education support, life skills support and basics like food, clothing and showers. Young people provide extensive input on these programs to ensure they are effective for themselves and their peers. Learn more and get involved at PathfindersMKE.org.

Project RETURN

Project RETURN exists to help individuals who have experienced incarceration make a positive, permanent return to community, family and friends. Often people come to Project RETURN at a time of crisis — not looking beyond their immediate needs. Our experienced staff members, most of whom are formerly incarcerated individuals, work one-on-one with clients to help them navigate through the moment and look beyond that situation to “next steps.” Whether a client needs assistance with housing, employment, AODA counseling or simply someone to vent to, they are welcomed at Project RETURN.

Women's Center

Domestic and sexual violence are global public health concerns affecting millions yearly. In the US, the CDC estimated that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking from an intimate partner; more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced physical, sexual violence; and at least 1 in 7 children experience child abuse and/or neglect in just the last year. Each year, Wisconsin reports more than 5,000 incidents of sexual assault, likely underreported. According to the data our state coalition, End Abuse, has gathered since they began tracking this information in 2000, at least 1,353 individuals have been killed in domestic violence homicides in Wisconsin. 1 in 4 men and 1 in 2 women will experience sexual violence in their lifetime and 20% of Wisconsin women are survivors of rape (WCASA). Milwaukee ranks among the top ten cities in the country for sex and labor trafficking, and Waukesha County has seen a 27% increase in Child Protective Service reports of child sexual abuse from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, 85 individuals died in Wisconsin due to DV at a rate of approximately one death every 4.3 days. The ages of victims included range from 1 year old to 83 years old.

At The Women’s Center, our core philosophy is to ensure that the needs of survivors are met, children are protected, and families heal and lead lives free of violence. The experience and expertise of our staff help individuals heal and achieve a more peaceful life. Through the following comprehensive programs and services, we help clients address the obstacles and barriers and move to a future free from violence:

• Emergency Shelter
• Transitional Living
• 24-Hour Hotline
• One-on-One Support and Advocacy
• Legal Advocacy
• Housing Advocacy
• Family Support
• Rapid Rehousing Program
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Support
• Employment Counseling and Life Skills Development
• Onsite Childcare and Children’s Programs
• Community Education and Violence Prevention
• The Child Advocacy Center
• Rape Crisis Response
• Client Resource Program

In 2025, we expect to reach more than 10,000 through all of our programs and services.