988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – A free, confidential 24/7 support line for anyone in distress, including children and teens experiencing a mental health crisis. Call or text 988 to connect with trained counselors.

Walker’s Point Youth & Family Center-Free confidential counseling for youth and families, plus a 24/7 crisis hotline.

Sixteenth Street Community Health Centers-Offers behavioral health services with a sliding fee scale.

Child Mind Institute-Expert articles, guides, and videos on child and adolescent mental health, including anxiety, ADHD, and behavior challenges.

Anxiety Canada-Practical tools and strategies for parents and kids dealing with anxiety, including the free “MindShift” app.

Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-In Clinic – Provides same-day care for children and teens (ages 5-18) experiencing urgent mental health issues.

Wisconsin Wayfinder – Supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions by connecting them with essential resources and services.

Shorehaven Behavioral Health – Offers mental health and substance abuse treatment for children, adolescents, and families, with over 40 years of experience in the Milwaukee area.

Life Stance Offers comprehensive telehealth services, including therapy, psychiatry, and psychological support as well as neuropsychological evaluations. 

Impact 2-1-1 – if you need emergency housing or shelter

Rental Housing Resource Center (RHRC)  offers support in person at 728 N. James Lovell Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233, from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 3 pm. Or, you can get help online at RentHelpMKE.org or by calling 414-895-RENT.

Community Advocates Help those who are homeless, at risk of eviction, or have an end date on their current housing

• • Rent assistance
  • Tenant-Landlord Help

If you have recently lost housing or are experiencing housing insecurity, contact Ms. Alexis, our school social worker at 608-716-7462 via text or call, who can refer you to other programs/support.

At Highland Community School, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where all students are respected and supported, explicitly prohibiting discrimination, bullying, and harassment based on gender identity or expression.  Highland Community School adopts the MPS district-wide Gender Inclusion Guidance about how to ensure best the protection of students and staff regarding gender inclusion. 

Additional Resources:

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center: Offers educational, health promotion, and community-building services for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Pathfinders Milwaukee: Provides support services for LGBTQ+ youth, including housing, counseling, and crisis intervention.

Diverse & Resilient: Focuses on the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ communities through advocacy and capacity building.

GSAFE: Advocates for LGBTQ+ students by developing leadership skills and creating safe educational environments.

The Trevor Project: Provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ+ youth.

Trans Lifeline: A peer support hotline offering support to transgender individuals.

PFLAG Milwaukee: Offers support, education, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.

Forge: Provides support and resources for transgender and non-binary individuals and their allies.

Cream City Foundation: Promotes the well-being of LGBTQ+ communities in Southeastern Wisconsin through grantmaking and scholarships.

Parenting Network  Stay updated and see our current Free, confidential coaching and classes for parenting issues.

Sixteenth Street Family Support Programs  Provides free 4-8 week parenting classes focused on child development stages. Covers topics like communication, routines, discipline, and co-parenting skills.

Children’s Wisconsin – Family Resource Centers Provides free parenting classes, parent/child learning opportunities, in-home parent education, telephone advice, and resource libraries to support healthy child development and strengthen family relationships.

Aid to Life This Montessori child development resource offers clear, simple, straightforward advice that is easy to understand and, most importantly, easy to apply.

Here’s a list of free  things to do with kids in Milwaukee:

Nature & Outdoor Adventures

• Urban Ecology Center (Riverside Park, Washington Park, & Menomonee Valley) – Explore nature trails, borrow outdoor gear (with membership), and enjoy indoor play areas.
• Havenwoods State Forest – Milwaukee’s only state forest with kid-friendly hiking trails and nature exploration.
• Lakeshore State Park – A downtown nature escape with scenic trails and wildlife spotting.
• Schlitz Audubon Nature Center (Free for Milwaukee County Residents on the first Tuesday of the month) – Hiking, nature play, and bird-watching.
• Kadish Park & Swing Park – Play on the unique swing park under the Holton Street Bridge.

• Oak Leaf Trail & Hank Aaron State Trail – Kid-friendly biking and walking paths through the city.
• Northwestern Mutual Community Park (at the Summerfest Grounds) –  Open to the public during non-festival times—check the public access schedule.

Libraries & Learning Spaces

• Milwaukee Public Library (All Branches) – Free storytimes, play areas, crafts, and hands-on learning activities.
• Milwaukee Public Library Game Collections – Many libraries have board games and chess sets for kids to play with on-site.
• Milwaukee Art Museum (Free for Kids) – Explore the art collection and visit the kid-friendly Kohl’s Art Generation Studio.

Hands-On & Educational Fun

• Milwaukee Riverwalk – Watch boats, look for fish, and find the Bronze Fonz statue.
• Milwaukee Public Museum (Free on the first Thursday of the month) – Stroll through the free-access areas and check out the massive dinosaur skeletons.
• Haggerty Museum of Art (Always Free) – Small, quiet art museum on the Marquette campus with rotating exhibits.

Free Tutoring Services:

Milwaukee Public Library Tutoring Services (Brainfuse)– Offers free, online tutoring for various subjects, available for all grades, from 1st grade to college-level coursework. No appointment needed.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Virtual Tutoring Program – Connects UWM students with elementary and secondary students for virtual academic and social support.

Free or Scholarship-Based Summer Programs and Camps:

Hope House of Milwaukee’s Shining Stars Youth Education Program – A free, year-round program offering after-school tutoring, workshops, and summer field trips for children.

Urban Ecology Center Summer Camps – Offers a variety of weeklong summer programs for youth from preschool to 12th grade, with scholarships available to campers.

Discovery World Summer Camps – Offers a range of science and technology-focused camps with scholarship opportunities for those in need.

Milwaukee Public Schools Extended Learning Opportunities – Provides free summer enrichment camps for MPS students in grades K4 to 12, with priority registration for enrolled students.

Milwaukee Recreation’s Everyone Plays! Scholarships – Offers scholarships for various classes, including arts, sports, and swimming, to Milwaukee residents receiving state or federal aid.

Highland Summer Program — HCS offers summer programming for K3 – 3rd Grade students.

PEAK Initiative – Provides free and low-cost summer camps, leadership programs, and year-round mentoring for Milwaukee youth, focusing on personal growth and community engagement.