Guiding Growth
Our trauma-informed and evidence-based practices cultivate healing and hope for more than 1,100 youth and their families each year.
Most youth who engage with services at Lad Lake have experienced multiple, interrelated traumas which have impacted their overall well-being. Because each child is unique, we take an individualized approach to help understand his or her journey including their strengths which helps build a customized, integrated plan utilizing our continuum of care and community partners.
We believe that all children should have the supports they need to succeed in school and life. But for some, family instability, addiction, inadequate resources and trauma challenge that support.
Lad Lake has helped thousands of young people move steadily toward lives of health, safety, opportunity and self-reliance despite challenging personal histories. See how we have been building brighter futures in our Impact Report.
Making a Difference
81% of the youth in our care become self-sufficient in maintaining and improving their physical and mental health.
91% of the youth in our care report they feel more hopeful about the future
95% of Lad Lake youth are living in a safe, stable and supportive environment after completing our programs
Focus Areas
In a trauma-sensitive environment, Lad Lake helps youth dealing with abuse, addiction, aging out of foster care and/or struggling with their mental health.
Services
For our youth, Lad Lake provides safety, individualized therapy, and skill-building for independence through education, residential services and more.
Donate
When you give to Lad Lake, you not only address the needs vulnerable youth and teens, you also invest in addressing some of our community’s most challenging problems today.
Support Lad Lake through Our Annual Events
Paint for Peace - Denim Day
Lad Lake
💌 This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating love in action. Love looks like showing up. Love looks like healing. Love looks like believing in a young person’s future. Because of our donors and supporters, youth at Lad Lake feel supported, valued, and empowered to move forward not just today, but every day. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being part of our Lad Lake community. 💙 #ValentinesDay #LoveInAction #ImpactFirst #Grateful #LadLake
Lad Lake
Some experiences change how young people see the world, and themselves. 💙 At Lad Lake, we’re intentional about creating moments our youth might not otherwise have access to: moments that spark joy, confidence, and connection. Recently, youth from our Dousman Campus bundled up and headed to Lapham Peak to try cross-country skiing—many for the very first time. New skills, fresh air, and plenty of laughter made it a day to remember. ❄️🎿 We also had the honor of celebrating a youth turning 15 at our St. Rose Campus with a Quinceañera - a traditional coming-of-age celebration in many Latin cultures
Lad Lake
✊🏾 Black History Month is in full swing! At Lad Lake, we celebrate the powerful legacy, resilience, and contributions of Black leaders—past, present, and future. We invite you to join us in honoring Black history not just in words, but in action. From storytelling to music, art to activism—Milwaukee is alive with events that uplift and inspire. 💫 🗓️ Check out this local guide for events happening across our city: 👉 conta.cc/4teomrv 📍 Support Black-led spaces 🖤 Learn from community voices 🙌 Celebrate Black excellence Together, we rise. #BlackHistoryMonth #LadLakeStrong #CommunityFirst #BlackExcellence #YouthEmpowerment