Drop-In Center
A Supportive Community for Recovery & Growth
At Our Space, we believe that everyone deserves a welcoming and empowering environment to support their mental health and wellness. Our Drop-In Center provides a voluntary, recovery-focused space for individuals living with mental illness and/or substance use challenges. We foster community, empowerment, and personal growth, allowing participants to self-direct their recovery in a way that enhances their quality of life.
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Who We Serve:
The Drop-In Center is open to adults (18+) in Milwaukee County who are seeking support in mental health recovery and substance use challenges. We welcome individuals at any stage in their journey, providing compassionate, peer-led support in a safe and inclusive space.​
What We Offer
Our Drop-In Center provides a variety of support services, educational groups, and social activities designed to promote healing, skill-building, and community connection.
Our services include:
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Peer Support & Advocacy
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Educational & Skill-Building Groups
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Social & Recreational Activities
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Community Integration
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Prevocational Work Experience
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Crisis Planning & Support
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Access to the Price is Right Shoppe
Our Approach
Our Space follows a person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented model designed to remove barriers to care. We embrace diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that our environment is welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of race, sexuality, religious beliefs, age, sex, or disability.
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We prioritize autonomy and empowerment, recognizing that each person’s recovery path is unique. Our staff, including Certified Peer Specialists, an Activities Manager, and Occupational Therapy providers, are here to support, guide, and advocate for each participant’s success.
Beyond the Drop-In Center:
Additional Support Services
Our Drop-In Center is just the beginning of the support available to you. Explore these valuable services to enhance your journey to wellness:
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Comprehensive Community Services (CCS): A coordinated system of care designed to help you achieve lasting recovery and independence.
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Peer Support: One-on-one and group support from individuals who have lived experience with mental health and substance use challenges.
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1987Our Space was founded by family members, clergy, mental health providers, and consumers of mental health services. In 1988, All Saints Cathedral donated space and Our Space began serving 35 individuals impacted by mental illness.
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1990Our Space participated in a community coalition to establish the Grand Avenue Club.
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1992NAMI awarded Our Space the Certificate of Appreciation.
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1996Our Space and NAMI helped establish the Consumer Satisfaction Team, which in 1998 incorporated as a separate entity. Price Is Right Shoppe opens. The Shoppe provides clothing and household items so that individuals suffering from mental illness are able to live independently. All items are provided free of charge.
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2002Kelly Blaschke, Board President, received NAMI’s Anti-Stigma Award. Later that year, the Executive Director received the NAMI Professional Services Award.
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2003Our Space initiated the Parents Without Children Program (PWOC) to address the needs of mental health consumers who have lost custody of their children to the child welfare system due to their mental illness.
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2004Our Space received funding from the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership Program to implement a Peer Support training program and began providing Peer Support in Adult Crisis Services at the Behavioral Health Division. Fardale Supportive Apartments opened in September 2004. A collaboration was established between Social Rehabilitation and Residential Resources and Our Space, Inc. to create a supported apartment program that offered supportive living to consumers and offered meaningful employment opportunities to Peer Support Specialists who assist these consumers.
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2005Our Space was the first program in the Milwaukee area to receive funding from the Healthier Wisconsin Partnership to implement a peer specialist training program, which included adding a state-approved CPS trainer to our talented staff.
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2006-2007The Crisis Resource Center opened in December 2007. Our Space’s Executive Director at the time was instrumental in fund development and received a $500,000 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant for the project.
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2008Our Space collaborated with Cardinal Capital and Milwaukee County Housing- Special Needs Division to open United House. This new supportive apartment initiative opened in August 2008 and serves 24 residents with severe and persistent mental illness.
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2009-2010Our Space relocated to a new location at the site of the former Oakton Manor on National Avenue.
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2011Empowerment Village-National, a supportive apartment facility connected to Our Space, opened in January 2011 and serves 35 residents with severe and persistent mental illness. Our Space provides peer support, groups, and one-on-one support to residents with severe and persistent mental illness. Empowerment Village-Lincoln, a supportive apartment facility for 30 residents, was built at the former site of Our Space and opened in September 2011. Our Space provides peer support, groups, and one-on-one support to residents with severe and persistent mental illness.
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2013Farwell Studio Apartments, a mix housing supportive apartment facility for 17 residents, Our Space provides peer support, groups, and one-on-one support to residents with severe and persistent mental illness.
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2015Highland Commons, a supportive apartment facility for 50 residents, Our Space provides peer support, groups, and one-on-one support to residents with severe and persistent mental illness.
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2016Managed Health Services (MHS), previously known as Cenpatico®, partnered with Our Space to provide peer specialist support service to their members. Their objective was to reduce high utilization of emergency care services. Due to the success of this program we have continued this partnership.
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2017Our Space awarded the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) Building Opportunity grant. This was a capacity building grant was to help provide a stronger infrastructure. Our Space became a Comprehensive Community Service and Wiser Choice Provider.
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2018The Behavioral Health Division awarded Our Space the peer-run Respite contract. This new initiative offers consumers community-based support in a home-like environment during times of increased stress.
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2019Parachute House peer-run respite opens.
Become a Member
Ready to join a community of support and empowerment?
Complete our Membership Application today and access resources, support groups, and a welcoming space for connection.
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday | 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM (Closed on major holidays)
Participants are welcome to drop in at any time during operating hours—no referral or appointment required!
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Our Space will be closed when Milwaukee Public Schools are closed for snow or severe weather conditions.
Why Choose the Drop-In Center?
At the heart of our mission is the belief that connection and community are powerful tools for recovery. The Drop-In Center serves as a place where you can recharge, rediscover your strengths, and find the encouragement you need to move forward.