In your hands, you hold the 2024 Impact Report for The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County. Within these pages, you’ll find stories and statistics that reflect the profound difference made in the lives of those we serve through our four Corps and Community Centers, Emergency Shelter, and Distribution Center.
This impact was felt...
When a struggling family no longer had to choose between rent and groceries.
When a child went to bed with a full stomach instead of hunger pains.
When a single mother found warmth in a winter coat for her little one.
When a father, out of work, was able to give his children gifts on Christmas morning.
When someone without a home found safety and dignity in a warm bed.
When a person facing hardship received guidance and resources to rebuild their life.
When a child discovered confidence and belonging through youth ministries.
When someone in crisis found comfort in a listening ear, a caring embrace, and a word of encouragement.
If you donated your time, talent, or resources this past year, YOU made these moments possible. YOU provided relief, dignity, and hope. YOU were the light in someone ’ s darkest moment. Thank you for being a part of this mission. Thank you for changing lives.
God Bless You,
Major Beverly Gates Milwaukee Area Commander
From Eviction to Hope: A Family's Journey at the Emergency Lodge
No one ever plans on being homeless, especially those with young children.
Unfortunately, that was the case when Charisse went into labor early and her newborn had complications. She, her partner, and their 10 kids, were evicted from their home and had used the last of their funds on a motel room before coming to the Emergency Lodge, our 24-hour shelter.
For children, moving into the shelter may feel unfamiliar, but Loni Fitzgerald, director of the Children’s Development Program at the Emergency Lodge, and her staff work hard to create a sense of stability and routine each day.
Inside the shelter, there are 12 family rooms for parents with children, a play area, and a study space equipped with computers and desks.
The shelter serves an average of 30 children per month. Supporting children's growth is a top priority for Fitzgerald.
“Our approach focuses on three key areas: schooling, essential supplies, and enrichment programs, ” she said.
School attendance is mandatory, so staff ensure kids are enrolled and have transportation. After school, college volunteers assist with school work. In FY 2024, 89 total after school programs were provided.
“Children are able to get individualized assistance with their homework and work on their basic primary and literacy skills,” Fitzgerald said.
When it comes to essentials, the shelter provides children with clothing, school supplies, and toys. Infants receive diapers and wipes.
For enrichment, staff strive to create moments of normalcy with weekly activities like arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and movie nights.
“Charisse would participate in activities when she could, giving her the opportunity to engage with the children in a fun and positive way during a stressful time in their lives,” Fitzgerald said.
Families can stay as long as parents are actively working toward their goals, but the ultimate goal is to help them transition into their own homes within 90 days.
After a lot of persistence and savings, Charisse, her partner, and their kids were able to secure housing! The Salvation Army was able to provide beds and basic household items to get them started on their new life ahead.
“Our approach focuses on three key areas: schooling, essential supplies, and enrichment programs. ”
~ Loni Fitzgerald, Director of the Children’s Development Program
FY 2024 Budget
The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County Operating Budget
Functional Expense Composition
Programs: $12.6 million
Fundraising: $1.9 million
Management/General: $6 million
Budget: $15 million
The Salvation Army Of Milwaukee County Advisory Board
Tim Nemec, Chair
Rick McKenna, Vice Chair
Christopher Hamilton, Treasurer
Sharlie McCain
Mara Ahmad
Christopher Boston
Tanisha
Lafayette
Tammy Gilpin-Ripp
Jeff
Jarrett
Chris Sauvé
Jamey Shiels
Christy Stone
Robert Wagner (life member)
Jacob Westphal
Jay Wille
Milwaukee County At A Glance FY 2024
88,538 Individuals Served
Emergency Disaster Services
1,742
Individuals Served
30,597
Nights of Shelter Provided 91,791
Every Dollar Spent
84% directly supports vital lifesustaining programs that help locally.
Meals Served To Residents
97
Individuals (67 adults, 30 children) Served Per Month On Average
The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County is home to four worship and community centers, five food pantries, an adult rehabilitation center, a distribution center, and an emergency lodge. We have been serving others in Christ's name since 1889 in Milwaukee County.
Army Lake Camp
Children of all ages experience the best of the outdoors on Army Lake in East Troy, WI, through camping, swimming, boating, hiking, music, sports, dance and other adventures.
Chaplaincy Program
Volunteers provide emotional and spiritual care to those who have experienced a traumatic incident. This program runs in partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department.
Corps Community Centers
Neighborhood facilities that offer worship, fellowship, education/recreation activities, and casework services.
Day Camp
Seasonal learning experiences that provide children with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and organized group activities, including music, and sports.
Emergency Assistance
Includes utility and rent assistance, food pantry access, and spiritual support.
Emergency Disaster Services
Volunteers respond to fires, natural disasters and emergencies. They provide meals, snacks, beverages, and emotional and spiritual care to first responders and people affected.
Medical Respite And Clinic
The Emergency Lodge provides onsite monitoring, medication management, and transportation to and from appointments.
Nutrition
The feeding and food pantry programs provide meals for individuals of all ages, including the Feed the Kids summer meals program.
Older Adult Services
Booth Manor provides subsidized housing for individuals 62+. The Senior Center at The Salvation Army of Oak Creek provides a place for seniors in the community to socialize.
Pathway of Hope
The Salvation Army’s approach to create a path out of poverty. Through the program, families set their own goals, and case workers partner with them to provide the resources needed to accomplish each one.
ROOTS Permanent Supportive Housing
This program provides stable housing and case management services to chronically homeless individuals with a disability.
Seasonal Assistance
Includes backpacks and school supplies for kids, Christmas gifts through Toy Shop, Coats For Kids, and Christmas Family Feast.
Shelter
The Emergency Lodge provides housing, meals, programming, children's development, case management, and housing assistance for men, women and children.
Treatment Services
The Adult Rehabilitation Center provides alcohol and drug addiction recovery programs, assistance and long-term support for continued sobriety.
Veteran Support
Includes spiritual support as well as participation in the bi-annual VA Stand Down, which helps veterans in need to reintegrate back into society.
Chaplains provide Calm in the chaos
They arrive in your darkest hour. It could be a warm hug, a comforting prayer, or just a sturdy shoulder to cry on.
“We have seen the worst of the worst of every situation,” said Pastor Veloris Mann, who has led The Salvation Army Chaplaincy program for the past five years. “Sometimes you just get a call and go ‘What? What happened?’ You can ’ t believe it.”
The program, now in its tenth year, runs in partnership with the Milwaukee Police Department. All of the chaplains are volunteers and are called upon when police request their presence.
Some are on call 24/7 to support to those who have experienced a traumatic incident. Others serve a presence at community events like National Night Out. In addition, there is a new prison ministry program, where chaplains support officers who are surrounded by prisoners daily and may need someone to talk to. In FY 2024 there were 2,681 individual people served.
Julie is an emergency response chaplain. Her desire to serve stems from a time when she was going through a traumatic situation, and nobody came to comfort her.
“I strive to be the calm in the chaos,” she said. “I always try to bring God’s light into the darkness through prayer. ”
Dan, who has been a chaplain for six years, responded to a house fire this year and came upon a family of five that had been outside in their bathrobes and slippers.
To help, he took them shopping for some essential items since they were not allowed back into the house.
“The most rewarding part is offering hope, care, and compassion to those who are hurting,” he said. “Also, encouraging them that God is always with them.”
“I always try to bring God’s light into the darkness through prayer. ”
~ Julie, Volunteer Chaplain
Volunteers Make A Difference
“I volunteered for The Salvation Army because of my mom, who has worked there for 30+ years. I remember going to work with her when I was young, and seeing all these people making sandwiches. I thought it was weird, so I stayed by her in her office. But as I got older I understood what Feed the Kids was. I started volunteering some days throughout the summer. Eventually joining the route staff because of it. That job shaped me to who I am today. I remember a day where it was pouring out and a kid stood underneath a tree and waited for us to stop by. When we got out of the van he ran up to me and said, ‘I didn’t think you were going to come out because of the rain’ and I said, ‘little man rain or shine we will be here,’ and he hugged my leg. Feed the Kids was a wonderful experience and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
- Joey Waldoch, Feed the Kids Volunteer
Advisory board members took several bell ringing shifts this season. From left to right: Robert Larsen and family, Tammy Gilpin-Ripp and her husband, Christopher Hamilton and family, and Tim Nemec and his wife. $323,092 was collected through red kettles in 2024.
“Tri City National Bank had ten employees volunteer for Toy Shop this year. Personally, I’ve always supported The Salvation Army’s efforts, so it was great to get our team involved in such a meaningful cause. As an organization, we make volunteering a priority, and since I oversee 13 branches, there’s always individuals eager to contribute their time. The event itself went well, and it was clear that the volunteers felt the importance of giving back. I could see the positive impact it had on the families who received help. We look forward to continuing our partnership with The Salvation Army and making a difference together."
- Lori Wandron-Randall, Corporate Volunteer, Tri City National Bank
Monetary Donation
Make A Difference
Give today by mailing a check to 11315 W Watertown Plank Rd. Wauwatosa, WI 53226 or scan the QR code below.
You can also give through an IRA distribution, a Donor Advised Fund, or a gift of appreciated stock.
Questions?
Megan Warlin, Sr. Donor Relations Director
Megan.Warlin@usc.salvationarmy.org (414) 526-1925
Donate Goods And Clothing
Your donations to The Salvation Army Family Stores help fund rehabilitation programs.
To schedule a pick up and see what you can donate, visit SATruck.org or call 1-800-SATRUCK.
Volunteer
Planned Gift
You can make a gift through your estate plan without donating today, or you can make a current gift that will return an income to you, such as a charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust.
Planned Giving website
Questions?
Bruce Clark CFP, Sr. Director of Gifts/ Estate Planning
Bruce.Clark@usc.salvationarmy.org (414) 207-5825
Collection Drives
Host a coat, toy, food or school supply drive with a group or on your own.
Questions?
Fill out a form on SAMilwaukee.org
We could not support our programs without volunteers. Opportunities available throughout the year at SAMilwaukee.org. Questions? Nettie Perry, Volunteer Services Director Nettie.Perry@usc.salvationarmy.org.
Corps Community Centers
The Salvation Army of Milwaukee County is home to four worship and community centers. They each offer a worship service on Sundays, a food pantry, programming, and emergency and seasonal assistance to residents residing in their zip codes.
Citadel Corps
4129 W Villiard Ave. Milwaukee (414) 463-3300
SAMilwaukeeCitadel.org
Captain Patricia Williams
Lieutenant Donna Gooden
Service Zip Codes: 53206, 53209, 53213, 53216, 53217, 53218, 53222, 53223, 53224, 53225
Cold Spring Corps
2900 W Cold Spring Rd., Greenfield (414) 763-9797
SAColdSpring.org
Major Yaneth Scott
Major Clifford Scott
Service Zip Codes: 53204, 53214, 53215, 53219, 53220, 53221, 53228
Oak Creek Corps
8853 S Howell Ave., Oak Creek (414) 762-3993
OakCreekSA.org
Captain Dana Bigelow
Captain Jason Bigelow
Service Zip Codes: 53110, 53129, 53130, 53132, 53154, 53172, 53207, 53235
West Corps
1645 N 25th St., Milwaukee (414) 342-9191
SAWestCorps.org
Major Karen Holness
Major Patrick Holness
Service Zip Codes: 53201, 53202, 53203, 53205, 53208, 53210, 53211, 53212, 53226, 53227, 53233
Mission Statement
The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
Your Support Restores Hope: Bill's Journey to Independence
Thanks to generous donors like you, Bill* found more than just shelter at our Emergency Lodge – he discovered a path to rebuild his life. After serving 10 years in prison, Bill arrived at our doors with nothing: no identification, no support system, and no hope for the future.
Your support made it possible for our dedicated Lodge staff to provide Bill with not just a safe place to sleep, but comprehensive care that transformed his life.
With your help we were able to offer Bill patient professional guidance throughout his year-long journey with us. We secured his vital documents - including a birth certificate and social security card, connected him with essential medical and mental health services, and provided access to literacy programs that expanded his opportunities.
Today, because of donors like you, Bill has transitioned into permanent supported housing and is awaiting approval for Social Security Income.
His success story represents the life-changing impact your generosity creates every day at the Emergency Lodge.
"Each step forward was possible because someone cared enough to give," shares Tate Walters, Emergency Lodge Director. "Donors transform our ability to help people like Bill rebuild their lives with dignity and hope."
