Independent Living Services

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families’ independent living programs are designed to help foster youth and former foster youth learn basic living skills (like money management, cooking, and decision making), look for jobs, and find housing and health care. These programs can also provide information about obtaining high school or college degrees.
For Milwaukee County residents, call or e-mail Mary Kennedy at the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare to find out more (1-414-220-7035). If you are located in a county other than Milwaukee, contact Christine Lenske at the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services (608-267-7287).

More resources:

Housing

Looking for housing is exciting, but it can also be scary. Once you find housing, you are responsible for your rent and other living expenses, such as food and clothing. If you are ready to look for a place to live on your own but aren’t sure where to start, there are programs that can help you in all stages of the process.

At the Foster Youth Independence (FYI) Center of Wisconsin, staff and volunteers may be able to assist you in looking for and securing affordable housing. The FYI Center also offers a Home Management Services course. Find out more by going to fyicentermke.org or by calling 1-414-264-6290.

Another resource is WIfrontdoorhousing.org. The website allows Wisconsin residents to search for affordable housing. It also contains a calculator to help you determine how much you can afford for rent. Click here to use the calculator.

You can also contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce - Division of Housing & Community Development for assistance by calling 1-608-266-1018 or by going to http://commerce.wi.gov/CD/cd-boh-home.html.

If you haven’t planned ahead or can’t find housing, you may want to consider a homeless shelter as temporary housing. One option is Hope House Milwaukee (414-645-2122). Another option is Walker’s Point, which offers temporary shelter to youth and a Transitional Living Program for homeless youth ages 16-21. Walker’s Point programs are not available to youth with open Child in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) orders through Children’s Court. You can contact Walker’s Point by calling 414-672-8200 or by going to http://www.walkerspoint.org.

Young women ages 18 to 29 can also find shelter at Lissy’s Place. Lissy’s Place offers housing for abused or homeless women for up to two years. The shelter only has room for 17 residents at a time, and there is a waiting list. Call or e-mail My Home, Your Home Inc. (the organization that runs Lissy’s Place) at 414-874-2560 or InfoMHYH@MHYH.org.

 

 

 

 

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