Wisconsin Community Services - WCS

Connection. Healing. Growth. 💛

Community Building Milwaukee creates spaces where people can build trust, strengthen communication, heal together, and develop lifelong skills.

✨ Upcoming FREE Events — Join Us!
Intro to Community Building (Virtual) - June 9, 2026 - 12:00PM
Community Building Workshop (3-Day) - June 10 - 12, 2026
Community Building Skills Training (1 Day) - June 13, 2026

Learn More: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/wcs-community-building-milwaukee-27866850973?msockid=090cac5c339f6175397bba6c3219604f

We’re proud to welcome Maria Vento to the Wisconsin Community Services Board of Directors.

Maria, Vice President for Grants at Bader Philanthropies, brings deep experience in philanthropy, community engagement, and building strong partnerships across Milwaukee. Her insight and collaborative approach will be an incredible asset as WCS continues to expand its impact and strengthen connections across the communities we serve.

We’re excited to have her leadership and perspective helping guide our work forward.

"Happy Memorial Day

Today, we pause to honor and remember the individuals who gave their lives in service to our country.

At WCS, we also recognize the families, loved ones, and communities who carry that loss every day. Their sacrifice reminds us of the importance of service, compassion, and community.

We honor their memory with gratitude.

Why This Work Matters

The individuals WCS serves are often navigating overlapping challenges, mental health needs, poverty, and instability.

Mental health care is not just about treatment, it’s about access, equity, and creating environments where people feel safe, supported, and seen.

We’re proud to spotlight Megan Skaggs, Director of Youth Behavioral Health and Community-Based Peer Specialist Programs at Wisconsin Community Services.

With nearly 18 years of experience in social work, Megan has dedicated her career to supporting youth and families across a range of settings, from direct service to clinical crisis work. Today, in her leadership role at WCS, she supports both staff and the individuals served through youth behavioral health and community-based peer specialist programs.

Approaching 7 years with WCS, Megan is passionate about being part of an organization that truly meets people where they are. She is driven by the impact she sees every day, whether big or small, as individuals make progress and move forward in their journeys.

Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to care, community, and creating meaningful change.

At Wisconsin Community Services, we believe everyone deserves access to care that meets them where they are.

Unlimited Potential (UP) is an Integrated Behavioral Health Clinic, providing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring services for children, adolescents, adults, and families across our community.

Through a person-centered, recovery-oriented approach, UP supports individuals navigating needs such as anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and more, offering care that is both compassionate and evidence-based.

Our experienced therapists work alongside each individual to create a treatment plan that reflects their goals, strengths, and lived experiences, because recovery and healing is not one-size-fits-all.

At its core, Unlimited Potential is about creating a welcoming space where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to move forward in their life and recovery.

Learn more about WCS programs at https://www.wiscs.org/service-areas/

Curious about what community building really looks like in action? 👀

Join us and experience it for yourself. Our programs are interactive and designed to help you build real connection, trust, and collaboration skills you can use anywhere—work, school, or everyday life.

✨ Upcoming FREE opportunities:
60-minute Intro Session — Tuesday, 6/9
3-Day Workshop — June 10–12
1-Day Skills Training — Saturday, 6/13
All events are open to the public, free to attend, and Continuing Education credits are available.

Come learn by doing and be part of something meaningful.
Spots are limited, so don’t wait to sign up!

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/wcs-community-building-milwaukee-27866850973

Happy Mother’s Day

We honor the mothers, caregivers, and maternal figures who provide strength, support, and stability in the lives of those around them.

At Wisconsin Community Services, we see every day the powerful role caregivers play in building resilience and creating pathways forward, often while navigating challenges of their own.

To all the mothers in our community: thank you for your care, your perseverance, and the impact you make every day.

Congratulations to the incredible team at Bakari Center on being recognized at the 26th Annual WACYCP Youth Work Awards Celebration held at 88Nine Radio Milwaukee!

We are proud to celebrate:
- Teri Palmer Stanback, MS, LPC-IT: Youth Worker of the Year in Mental & Behavioral Health Youth Work
- Shaquan Dickerson: Youth Worker of the Year in Out of Home Care
- Rick Wojciechowski: Nominee for the Youth Work Lifetime Achievement Award
- Wesley Hicks: Nominee for Youth Work Supervisor of the Year
- Ian Wilson: Nominee for Youth Work Newcomer of the Year

We also want to recognize Star DeLuca for her leadership and service as a board member for WACYCP.

These recognitions reflect the passion, dedication, and impact Bakari Center staff bring to youth and families every day. We’re proud to see their work celebrated across the community.

Program Spotlight: Peers Empowering Peers

At Wisconsin Community Services, we know that recovery is stronger with connection.

The Peers Empowering Peers program pairs individuals in treatment with trained peer specialists, people who bring lived experience with mental health and substance use recovery. Through one-on-one support, coaching, and connection to resources, participants are empowered to turn their recovery goals into action.

This person-centered program supports individuals by:
- Navigating transitions between treatment providers
- Building supportive relationships and community connections
- Connecting to essential resources like housing, employment, and transportation
- Staying engaged with care and follow-up appointments

Peer specialists walk alongside participants, not just during treatment, but also after to help ensure continued stability and success.

Because recovery doesn’t happen alone, it happens in community.

The great article that Neighborhood News put together has gotten picked up by OnMilwaukee! Please take a moment to learn more about why improving our space on Wisconsin Ave. is so important.

Wisconsin Community Services launches campaign to transform mental health space Wisconsin Community Services is taking a major step to improve care for people with severe mental needs by reimagining the space where it happens.