We’re grateful for the many gifts and donations we received around the holidays to help us support community members who lack stable housing, personal safety, and basic needs resources. Some holiday donors we want to highlight are:

Meal Service at Our Emergency Shelter

• Nurika Braxton
• Goodkind Restaurant (Paul and Lisa)
• Erin Orlowski, Jeri Kavanaugh, and Rachel Wick
• Rachel Rydzewski and family
• Bob Schneider and Jennifer Patrick

Gifts for Our Community Members

• Association for Women Lawyers
• Ehlers, Inc.
• Margie Kaczmarek, Our Lady of Good Hope Catholic Church
• Kids Impact Community
• KMC Stampings
• Ellen Montenero
• PetSmart
• Brian Roemer
• Shorewest Realtors
• Annie Turim
• United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County
• Wipfli

Adopt a Family—Holiday Goodies for Families in Need

• Amelia Betzhold and friends
• Kari Southern and Family
• Linda Tietz and Friends

Cookie Donors

• Jan Buchler
• Beth Cooper
• Joe Kavanaugh
• Cindy Mattson
• Joanie Redenz
• Linda Tietz and friends

Thank you!

We’re happy to announce that the Zilber Family Foundation has generously donated to support our programming to increase access to safe, affordable and quality rental housing in Zilber Neighborhood Initiative neighborhoods and initiatives to curb homelessness and find permanent housing.

"Community Advocates is extremely grateful to the Zilber Family Foundation for their invaluable support. Through their generosity, we will be able to improve access to high-quality, affordable, and stable housing for individuals and families through permanent supportive housing, safe haven housing, and homelessness prevention for families as a part of our Housing Operations Advancement Project," said Andi Elliott, CEO of Community Advocates.

We're grateful to be recognized in the "Diamonds and Discoveries" section of the Milwaukee Community Journal on December 7. Community Advocates CEO Andi Elliott discussed her career journey from student intern at UWM School of Social Work to CEO of the organization. 

"I thought I’d be at Community Advocates for two to three years, but I found the work so rewarding that I stayed. My tenure here has fulfilled my need and desire to serve," Elliott told reporter Kathy Gaillard.

You're cordially invited to a book talk and signing by Ben Austen, author of Correction: Parole, Prison, and the Possibility of Change at Boswell Book Co., on January 23. He will be in conversation with Elly Fishman, author of Refugee High.

Correction, an investigation into the crisis of the American criminal justice system through the lens of parole, has generated rave reviews from The New York Times, Washington Post, and Matthew Desmond, author of Evicted, who wrote, "Correction ranks among the very best books on life inside and outside of prison I have ever read."

This book event, cosponsored by PPI, will begin at 6:30 p.m. on January 23 at Boswell, 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee. It’s free but registration is recommended.

Community Advocates is a proud partner in the Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program. This program provides vital benefits to eligible county residents during the heating months. To set up an appointment, go to keepwarmmke.org or call 414-270-4MKE (4653). 

The Bottomless Closet, which provides work-appropriate clothes and gear for job-seekers, is looking for men’s and women’s winter coats and boots. If you have any of these items you can share, please contact Jeri at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net or 414-270-2984. Thank you!

Milwaukee tenants and landlords can get help in person without an appointment.

Walk-ins are welcome at the Milwaukee Rental Housing Resource Center, located in Community Advocates' downtown offices at 728 N. James Lovell St., Milwaukee. The Triage Team will assess your situation and make referrals so you can get the help you need.

The RHRC is open to the public Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can also find available rentals in Milwaukee and surrounding areas on our website. We update the listings every week on our website and Facebook page.

We have a number of career opportunities right now. Join our team!



• On-Call Resident Manager
• Seasonal Energy Assistance Advocate
• Shelter Advocate

Can you help Community Advocates and the Milwaukee Women's Center meet the needs of our program participants? We're currently seeking these items:

• Winter coats and boots for all ages and genders
• Hoodies for toddlers up to adults
• Jackets of all sizes, from toddlers to adults
• Twin sheets
• Blankets
• Socks, boys and girls, men and women
• New underwear for all ages, from toddlers to adults
• New pillows
• Tennis shoes for boys, girls, men, and women
• New or gently used towels
• School supplies
• Pots and pans, utensils, dishes, blankets, and other household items

If you are able to give, please reach out to Jeri at jkavanaugh@communityadvocates.net to coordinate delivery of your donation. Thank you!

You can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Call: 414-270-2992
• Email: Contact Us
• Facebook: facebook.com/CommunityAdvocatesMilwaukee
• Milwaukee Women’s Center’s 24/7 Crisis Line: 414-671-6140
• Milwaukee County Energy Assistance Program: 414-270-4653 or KeepWarmMKE.org
• FSET at Community Advocates: 414-290-7700
• Rent HelpLine: renthelp@communityadvocates.net
• Bottomless Closet: 414-270-2984
• Emergency services after hours or on weekends: 2-1-1