Together atat Together the the Table Table 2026 GALA
OF MILWAUKEE
PRESENTED BY
Thursday, November 5, 2026 | 5:00-8:00PM Italian Community Center | Milwaukee, WI Featured Keynote Speaker Dr. Sam Tsemberis International Pioneer of the Housing First model Event Emcee Derek Mosley, J.D Marquette University Law School
Guest House of Milwaukee provides shelter, housing, behavioral health and case management services to those in our community seeking hope, dignity and stability.
Event Program|6:00-8:00pm
Welcome | Stephen Bauer, Guest House CEO Dinner Service Video Presentation: The Impact of Guest House Legacy of Hope Awards | Presented by Stephen Bauer A Conversation with Dr. Sam Tsemberis | Facilitated by Derek Mosley, JD Fundraising | Paddle Raise Closing Remarks Evening Concludes
A Message from Guest House CEO, Stephen Bauer Welcome to Guest House of Milwaukee’s 2026 Gala: Together at the Table. Investing your time in supporting us here tonight, along with hundreds of your fellow Milwaukeeans, is truly a testament to the collective commitment to uplifting people through their most challenging times.
Mayor Cavalier Johnson declared 2026 as The Year of Housing in Milwaukee. During the introductory announcement for this initiative, Mayor Johnson said something simple: “Everything begins at home. A safe, affordable home is the foundation for opportunity.” That is an idea I believe we can all agree on, and one that we may even take for granted from time to time in our daily lives. Safety, stability, affordability, and a place to call home are far from certain for far too many residents. You will also see that the incredible, dedicated people who come to work at Guest House each day do so to ensure more individuals experiencing homelessness and insecurity have the opportunity to find stability, connection, dignity, and hope. And they do so knowing they are not alone in their mission; that the Guest House of Milwaukee community is behind them 365 days a year! Tonight is a shining example of that support. Thank You, Stephen Bauer Chief Executive Officer
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Introducing Dr. Sam Tsemberis
Sam Tsemberis, Ph.D., is a clinical and community psychologist and the founder of Housing First, a model built on the belief that housing is a basic human right. First launched in New York City in 1992, Housing First provides people experiencing homelessness— many with mental health or substance use challenges—with immediate access to permanent housing and individualized, consumer-driven support. He later replicated the program in Washington DC, Philadelphia PA, and Burlington VT and the Housing First program has since become an evidence-based practice, operating across North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. Dr. Tsemberis also founded the Pathways Housing First Institute, which trains and consults with agencies, cities, states, and countries seeking to implement Housing First. He serves on the faculty of the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and is Executive Director of the UCLA-VA Center of Excellence for Training and Research on Veterans Homelessness and Recovery. His contributions have been recognized worldwide, including the APA Distinguished Contribution Award (2016), an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Ottawa (2023), and being named to the TIME100 list of the world’s most influential people (2024). He has published widely in this area including 2 books: Housing First: The Pathways Model by Hazelden Publishing and coauthor on Housing First by Oxford University Press. Learn more at: www.pathwayshousingfirst.org.
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Derek Mosley, JD | Moderator We are honored to welcome Derek Mosley, J.D., Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School, as our event emcee. Mr. Mosley graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1995. After graduation he served as an Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County from 1995-2002. In 2002, Mr. Mosley was appointed Municipal Court Judge in Milwaukee. At that time, he was the youngest AfricanAmerican to be appointed judge in the State of Wisconsin. For ten years Mr. Mosley served as the Chief Judge of the Milwaukee Municipal Court. During his tenure there, Mr. Mosley pioneered a program to hold court at Guest House, offering clients the unique opportunity to resolve non criminal issues and thus reduce barriers to housing and employment. Derek and his family have personally supported Guest House with their time and talents through the years. In 2023, Mr. Mosley became the Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School. He has been a lecturer at both Marquette University Law School as well as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He sits on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin’s Judicial Education Committee. Judge Mosley routinely speaks both nationally and internationally about Unconscious Bias and Black History.
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Legacy of Hope Awards This award honors those whose long-standing partnership has ensured that hope remains at the heart of the Guest House of Milwaukee. Their dedication and commitment to the Guest House mission has helped provide stability today, leading to stronger futures tomorrow.
“
Guest House didn’t just give me shelter. They put me on the road to hope.
“
2026 HONOREES Philanthropic Partner
BADER PHILANTHROPIES Program Partner
COURAGE+
Volunteer Partner
CONGREGATION SHALOM Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Presenting Sponsors $25,000
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Advocate Sponsor $10,000
I was afraid. But my case manager’s kindness opened me up. I was like, “let’s go.” Look at me now, I’m about to move on.
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Housing First & Milwaukee
The Housing First model remains the most effective, nationally recognized, evidence-based approach to ending chronic homelessness for individuals and families. And Milwaukee has been a leader in implementing this approach over the past decade.
HOW IT WORKS HOUSING
STABILITY
HEALTH
EMPLOYMENT
INDEPENDENCE & SELF-SUFFICIENCY
RESULTS
85-90% HOUSING RETENTION
LOWER HOSPITAL UTILIZATION
REDUCED JUSTICE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT
EVERY $1 INVESTED IN SUPPORTIVE HOUSING RETURNS $1.80 IN REDUCED PUBLIC COSTS
Since adopting Housing First policy in 2015, Milwaukee County has become a national leader in ending homelessness, outperforming rising trends throughout the country.
More Than Shelter
Guest House provides the most comprehensive housing stability platform in Milwaukee, providing a full continuum of Housing First aligned services that impact nearly 2,000 residents annually.
OUR ROLE IN THE SYSTEM 10%
of all individuals engaged in the shelter and housing system are served by Guest House
21%
of all homeless males age 60+ in Milwaukee are served by Guest House
24%
of all publicly funded emergency shelter beds for men in Milwaukee are provided by Guest House
69%
of all safe haven clients - those facing chronic homelessness and/or persistent mental illness - are served by Guest House
OUR CLIENT POPULATION Guest House serves some of Milwaukee’s most vulnerable residents with the highest barriers to stability.
79%
of all Guest House clients have high-acuity needs including mental health and addiction issues, chronic homelessness, and poor health outcomes
73%
of all Guest House clients are individuals of color from the city’s most disinvested neighborhoods
53%
of all Guest House clients self-report mental health challenges (Guest House operates the only in-house behavioral health clinic at a shelter location in the State)
26%
of all Guest House clients served are veterans
Investing in those with the highest barriers creates the greatest opportunity for community impact, creating outcomes that improve systems and reduce long-term public costs
Partner Sponsors $5,000
Dan & Liz Kolb John & Shelley Lamoreaux Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Partner Sponsors $5,000
Dianne Murray
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Supporters $1,000
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Donor Sweepstakes
Every guest who makes a gift during tonight’s event will be automatically entered into a sweepstakes to win one of the below experience packages provided by our generous donors and partners. The number of entries you receive - or chances to win is determined accordingly by the following giving levels. Winners will be drawn following the conclusion of the event, and contacted by a member of the Guest House team after the event.
DONATIONS UP TO $100 = 1 ENTRY DONATIONS BETWEEN $101-$250 = 2 ENTRIES DONATIONS BETWEEN $251-$500 = 3 ENTRIES DONATIONS BETWEEN $501-$1000 = 4 ENTRIES DONATIONS > $1000 = 5 ENTRIES
Experiences Include:
• ONE NIGHT STAY AT THE KIMPTON JOURNEYMAN + $50 DINING CERTIFICATE TO TRE RIVALI • PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE FOR 4 AT THE FIRST STAGE THEATER + $50 DINING CERTIFICATE TO AMILINDA • ONE NIGHT STAY AT SAINT KATE THE ARTS HOTEL + PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE FOR 2 AT MARCUS CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS • PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES FOR 2 AT MSO, MILWAUKEE BALLET AND FLORENTINE OPERA (SEPARATE WINNER FOR EACH!) *Exclusions will apply to performance vouchers. More details available to winners upon receipt.
Thank You!
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
Invest in Opportunity A gift to Guest House of Milwaukee goes a long way toward providing our fellow community members with the support and guidance they need to navigate their life challenges. And that starts with giving them a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with the dignity that all people deserve.
TO DONATE Scan the QR code:
Text to Give
OR guesthouse to 44834 If you would like to make a contribution via a donor advised fund or stock gift, or discuss planned giving opportunities, contact: CHRISTY MILLER, VP of FUND DEVELOPMENT CHRISTYMILLER@GUESTHOUSEOFMILWAUKEE.ORG 414.430.1670
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
In Gratitude
For the hard work, dedication, and support of all those who made this event possible, and to those who help move our mission forward each and every day, Guest House of Milwaukee thanks you!
Our Clients, Alumni, and Everyone Who Has Shared Their Story of Hope The Dedicated Guest House of Milwaukee Staff Guest House Board of Directors - past & present Dr. Sam Tsemberis & Derek Mosley, JD Cecelia Gore & Brewers Community Foundation Pat Dunphy & Cannon & Dunphy Our Generous Event Sponsors, Table Donors & Attendees Our Foundation & Philanthropic Partners Mayor Cavalier Johnson Milwaukee Continuum of Care & System Leaders Our Network of Volunteers & In-kind Contributors John & Shelley Lamoreaux...and Maisey Event Sweepstakes Package Donors The Italian Community Center Team & Bartolotta Restaurants Public Allies Versant Seth Franklin Photography Dan Pronley Studio Gear Withward & Company LLC
Everyone deserves a seat at the table where they are welcomed, valued, and treated with dignity.
OF MILWAUKEE
Together atat Together the Table the Table
GUEST HOUSE OF MILWAUKEE | 1216 N. 13th ST. | MILWAUKEE, WI 53205 CHRISTY MILLER, VP of FUND DEVELOPMENT - 414.430.1670 WWW.GUESTHOUSEOFMILWAUKEE.ORG