Wisconsin Community Services (WCS)

Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (WCS) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit agency with more than 40 programs that provide a variety of services in southeastern Wisconsin. WCS has been serving many of Milwaukee’s most disenfranchised and highest risk residents for more than 100 years. When the organization was founded as the Wisconsin Society for the Friendless in 1912, the mission was solely to help people who were incarcerated and assist the families left behind. The organization has evolved through the years, changing its name and expanding populations served as a response to growing community need. But the spirit of being a "Friend of the Friendless” remains in the agency’s mission today.

Mission Statement:  WCS advocates for justice and community safety, providing innovative opportunities for individuals to overcome adversity.

WCS Core Values: Justice, Respect, Integrity and the Pursuit of Excellence

For a century, WCS has remained steadfast in its commitment to working with our community's most stigmatized and marginalized residents. Today, in addition to serving those returning to the community after incarceration, WCS serves individuals who live with chronic and persistent mental illness, those with alcohol and drug addictions, and other high risk youth and adults. Because of WCS' intensive and personalized programming, these residents gain the skills they need to live with mental illness, stay away from alcohol and drugs, find and keep a job, reunite with family, and/or avoid a return to criminal behavior. As a result, our neighborhoods are safer and stronger.