Launched as a grassroots effort by a group of Lutheran churches, nonprofit Serenity Inns has grown over the past two decades into a full-service provider equipped to treat those in Milwaukee, WI, working to overcome substance use disorder. Last week, the organization celebrated the latest milestone on its growth trajectory with a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new facility that will increase the capacity of the organization’s longstanding residential treatment program and enable Serenity Inns to access Medicaid subsidies for the first time to continue expanding its programming. To finance the $3 million project, Serenity Inns turned to IFF for a $2.3 million bridge loan that enabled the organization to proceed with its plans more quickly while executing a capital campaign.
Located across the street from the organization’s current residential treatment center on two previously vacant lots acquired from the City of Milwaukee, the 6,000-square-foot building is packed with amenities that support the recovery process. In addition to bedrooms and bathrooms that can accommodate up to 14 clients at a time, the facility includes a fitness room, library, and community classroom – none of which are available in Serenity Inns’ previous space – as well as a reception area, conference room, lounge waiting area, warming kitchen, and a dining/meeting area for the organization to more comfortably host its longstanding dinner fellowship program that connects program participants with volunteers.
As part of the residential treatment process, each program participant engages in community-based recovery meetings, one-on-one counseling, and group counseling, among other activities. For those who graduate from Serenity Inns’ program, the organization offers stable, affordable housing in a supportive sober living environment at its 14-bed alumni house. Together, the continuum of services is designed to address participants’ physical, social, emotional, financial, and spiritual health needs, equipping them with the tools needed to recover and thrive in the next phase of their lives.
“This is an immense turning point in our relentless fight against substance use disorder and the overdose deaths that have devastated the community,” said Serenity Inns CEO Kenneth Ginlack in a recent news release. “This new center will allow Serenity Inns to make an even greater impact in the fight against substance use disorder. We would not have been able to open this new treatment facility without the support of our wonderful donors, elected officials, and other community supporters.”
Serenity Inns · Health Care
New Residential Treatment Facility Expands Milwaukee Nonprofit’s Capacity to Combat the Opioid Epidemic
Learn more about Serenity Inns and how its new residential treatment facility will enable the organization to provide more intensive substance use disorder treatment to more men in Milwaukee annually, while also accessing Medicaid subsidies for services provided for the first time in the organization’s 20-year history.
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