The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center is dedicated to serving the needs of LGBTQ people and to making the Greater Milwaukee area safer and more inclusive. We focus on anti-violence, healthy relationships, counseling, Youth & Elder Adult programming and more. Our Center's resources include a lending library with over 2000 LGBT titles, meeting space for over 100 groups during the year, computer/internet access and referrals.
Summary: The Milwaukee LGBT Community Center offers a host of convenient services that make life for the LGBT community just a little bit easier. Whether you're looking for a space to hold a meeting or need to jump online to apply for a job, we're happy to offer free services to our community.
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Services Offered
ANTI-VIOLENCE & COUNSELING - The Center is dedicated to reducing violence perpetuated against LGBT individuals through community outreach, and education, and facilitating healing and recovery from recent or past violence and trauma through counseling and advocacy. We provide assistance to LGBT individuals who have experienced or otherwise been impacted by intimate partner violence, sexual assault and abuse, stalking, physical assault, harassment, bullying, bias-related incidents, hate crimes and other forms of violence by advocating on their behalf, encouraging and assisting with crime reporting and accompanying crime victims to medical exams or court appearances if requested. We're here as part of a caring support system for individuals as they recover from the impact of trauma. Below is a list of programs we offer:
Healthy Relationships Class - 18 and over - We believe that the strength and success of our community relies on healthy relationships. The Healthy Relationships Class enhances participants' capacity for self-determination and empowerment in the development of meaningful, sustainable and violence-free relationships through self-reflection and exploration of past experiences, knowledge sharing, and skill building. Healthy Relationships is a series of 6 FREE classes.
Advocacy for Victims and Survivors - 14 and over - Our Anti-Violence Program (AVP) provides crisis counseling, accompaniment to court or medical exams and advocacy, such as criminal justice and personal advocacy. Our program staff will serve as a liaison to law enforcement, legal proceedings, and related survivor support services. During advocacy on behalf of the client, AVP promotes the development of greater awareness and sensitivity of LGBTQ issues specific to the client amongst involved entities.
Crisis Counseling and Stabilization - 14 and over - Counseling is offered during normal business hours Monday through Friday. A trained mental health professional is available by appointment to assist victims and survivors in stabilization following a sexual assault, an incident of partner violence, hate crime, or another traumatic event, whether recent or resurfacing. All information will be kept confidential. Referrals to therapists in the community are optional and available upon request.
Youth Programs - In addition to providing a safe space, Project Q provides opportunities for development and leadership through a number of different activities. Some of the structured activities include:
* Leadership and life skills activities * Expression/arts-based activities * Alcohol, tobacco and other drug risk reduction activities * Safe sex and healthy relationship education * Assistance in starting a Gay-Straight Alliance
Fees and Payment
We are a registered not-for-profit organization, check our DONATE page for more information.
Services Offered To: Adults Couples Teens Children
Special Groups: Bilingual LGBTQ
Payment: Sliding Scale Pro-bono Medicare Medicaid
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A community counseling agency is a group therapy practice that offers affordable mental health services. Most are independent non-profit agencies, state agencies, or publicly-funded agencies. A few may restrict who is eligible for services, so it is a good idea to check when you call.
Community counseling agencies are generally more affordable than other therapy providers, but how much more affordable they are will depend on whether you qualify for a discount or sliding scale fee (or if they accept your insurance). Many, but not all, have a policy that they won't turn away anyone due to inability to pay. You should ask about their fees when you first call.
Expect to talk to kind people who want to help you find the care you need. Most community agencies strive to connect you with a live person within 24 hours, if not immediately. If you're asked to hold or leave a message, don't give up; just leave a message and wait. You should hear back pretty quickly.
Most agencies try to set up an initial assessment appointment within a week (some do within 24 hours), though the waitlist to start therapy is usually longer—about a few weeks on average. If you're not eligible or if the agency is not right for you, it's usually still worth it to call or drop in, because staff are knowledgeable about local options and can often refer you to one.