From the Desk of Brad Schlaikowski |
I still remember the excitement the day we received the keys back in 2018. The “big” reveal after Kohl’s finished the renovations. The moment we stood together in 2019 and cut the ribbon.
Over the past seven years, 63 kids from 20 counties and Tribal communities have called that house home. Sixty-three young people who had a safe, affirming place to rest their heads and, hopefully, carry a little less worry.
Our goal was simple. Help these beautiful humans create new memories.
Walking out of that big yellow door for the last time brought more than a few tears. But what stays with me is not the building. It is the love that filled it. The staff who showed up day after day. The Courage Plus family who gave, volunteered, and believed in something bigger. The community that wrapped its arms around kids who deserved to feel safe, seen, and valued.
And now, we begin again.
After four months of permitting, licensing, and renovations, made possible by the incredible generosity of Dave Gross and his team at Gross Remodeling and repair, and with the support of our Courage Plus family, we moved. In just one long day, with the help of 19 volunteers, three movers, and our new partners at the Milwaukee Police Department District 6, everything came together. Just in time for some very special kids to walk through the door after school and step into their new home.
That moment is why we do this.
But as we celebrate new beginnings, we are also facing a reality we cannot ignore. The protections that help ensure LGBTQ+ youth in foster care are placed in safe, affirming environments are being challenged. The very idea that these young people deserve to be protected, supported, and allowed to be who they are is being debated.
We know what happens when those protections do not exist. We have lived it alongside the youth who have come through our doors.
This is not theoretical. This is personal.
Every young person deserves a place where they can exhale. Where they are not questioned, rejected, or made to feel less than. Where they can begin to heal and build a future.
That is what you have helped us create. And that is what we must fight to protect.
If you have ever wondered if your support makes a difference, it does. It is the bed a young person sleeps in. It is the meal waiting for them after school. It is the staff member who shows up with patience and care. It is the moment a young person realizes they are safe.
As we turn the page to this next chapter, I am asking for your continued support. If you are able, please consider making a donation to Courage Plus. Your gift ensures that we can continue to provide not just housing, but hope, dignity, and belonging for the youth who need it most.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Thank you for believing in these young people. And thank you for helping us make sure that every door we open leads to safety, love, and possibility.
With love and so much gratitude,
Brad |
Salon Grand Opening
Moving to the new house wasn’t the only big shift to happen in April.
We were honored to open the Courage+ Salon on Friday, May 1st. The opening day celebration was a perfect encapsulation of everything Rob has dreamt and put into action. We are still all so touched by the many community members, partners, representatives, friends and family members who stopped by to give their well wishes and celebrate with us.
Rob has built something so beautiful and so necessary. We can’t wait to welcome you into our chairs and create affirming spaces, true-to-you makeovers, and positive memories for all who enter into our space. |
Drag bingo at POP is BACK!
Join us tomorrow, Thursday, May 7th at 7 PM for an evening of drinks, friends, prizes, laughs, and good fun for a cause. Bingo is hosted by Dear Ruthie, and the proceeds from the event are graciously benefitting Courage+. Stop in and say hi- we’ll be there all night enjoying the fun alongside you.
Thank you to POP and Dear Ruthie for your continued support and partnership. We can’t wait to see the Courage Fam together for a night of fun! |
Courage+ and Guest House are Stronger Together
Brenna, our Director of Housing, and Paige Steder, the VP of Shelter Programs at Guest House, joined forces at the 2026 Ali Forney Conference in San Antonio. They co-presented Stronger Together: Innovative Housing Through Allied Partnerships to highlight the importance of collaboration and community building across organizations, and how the impact of our own organizations can extend its reach and foster community when we combine our skills, resources, and programming.
We are so proud of Brenna and Paige for the partnership they’ve built and for their ability to bring that strong partnership to countless individuals and organizations throughout the country.
Thank you to the Ali Forney Center, and to all of the conference organizers and attendees for creating spaces for leaders across the country to bring folx of all walks of life together. |
Set your alarms and mark your calendars- another chance to give and win big is coming up. This Sunday, May 10th, is our monthly $10 for 10 Years fundraising opportunity.
For a decade, we have worked tirelessly to provide LGBTQ+ youth more than a home. We provide them a sense of community centered around care, safety, and acceptance, while also doing the work to bring about real systemic change. And we’ve only been able to do that work because of supporters just like you. On the 10th of each month in 2026, all $10 minimum donations will enter donors into a raffle. Every $10 donation= 1 raffle entry, with no cap to $10 increments, meaning that a $50 donation= 5 entries, etc. What’s the big prize? A table for 10 at our 2026 Gala on October 30th!
This promotion ends on the 10th of September, which means there are only 5 more opportunities to win. Help us provide safety, comfort, and pride to LGBTQ+ youth for decades more to come.
Together, we can make 2026 the start of our best decade yet! |
The Courage+ Pageant is BACK and less than a month out!
There is still time to register to compete. All interested competitors must submit their applications by Friday, May 15th! Don’t wait to secure your spot.
Competitor applications and attendee tickets and tables can be found by visiting the button below.
We’ll see you there! |
Moving is never a small feat, but the move from the original Courage House to our new home on 88th provided additional hoops and challenges. We would NOT have been able to pull off a successful move were it not for the countless volunteers who helped clean, organize, mow, paint, and move. Despite the heaviness in the world, our volunteers manage to lift the weight off of our shoulders and share much needed love, help, and warmth with us whenever we see them.
A tremendous special thank you to volunteers from both Kohl’s and Rockwell. Kohl’s sent over 75 volunteers to us to help prepare the new house for move-in, prepare the old house for move-out, and to clean and beautify Marsha’s House, the transitional living facility at our partner Guest House’s organization. What a beautiful change to be stunned because of the kindness of others. Thank you, Kohl’s! |
Additionally, volunteers from Rockwell swung in and saved another pre-moving day dilemma for us at the end of April. Their volunteers helped us move a truckload of items from the old house and our admin offices to the garage at the new house. This was one of those to-dos that just kept looming over an ever-growing to-do list, so having their smiling faces at the ready to assist was beyond helpful. Thank you, Rockwell! |
Happening Around Wisconsin |
Thank you Jefferson County Human Services – Safe Spaces Team for inviting us to be part of your first ‘Authentically Us” celebration in Fort Atkinson last weekend. Is was so nice to meet so many new faces! |
Thank you to the Milwaukee Police Department for inviting Alisha Hart, our Director of Programming and Brad Schlaikowski, our executive Director to come and their Community Liaison Officers on working with the LGBTQ+ community in preparation for Pride month. During the training they worked with officers on meeting queer people where they are at along with our LGBTQ+ 101 from our +YOU Training Program. |
Together, we are Courage+.
If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us continue creating safe, supportive spaces for every young person who needs us.
This is only possible because of your generosity.
Thank you for being a part of the Courage+ family!
Courageously,
The Courage+ Team |
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