MILWAUKEE — Those that identify at LGBTQ+ have a 120% higher risk of experiencing some sort of homelessness, according to research by the National Network for Youth.

That’s why Wisconsin nonprofit Courage MKE is working to help displaced LGBTQ+ youth. The nonprofit got started after the founders started fostering and saw a need.

“We wanted the community to know how many children are in and out of home care or are homeless and identify as LGBTQ with no resources,” said Brad Schlaikowski, one of the founders of Courage MKE. 

Courage House is the first licensed group home for LGBTQ+ teens in Wisconsin. The Milwaukee home can house up to five teens and youth also get access to resources like therapy, activities, and the chance to learn life skills. 

Thorne Johll-Bayliss moved into the Courage House in 2022.

“When I got there, it was just activities for us to do to, they would keep us engaged. I learned life skills, we would cook. Any health care I needed was provided for me, rides to and from school,” said Johll-Bayliss.

Johll-Bayliss is now living back at home.

“I’m now back living with my biological mom. That was never an option before I came here. We never thought I’d be back with her, you know, that is what I always wanted since I was 7 years old,” said Johll-Bayliss.

Courage MKE soon saw there was a need to help those aging out of social welfare. With support from the community, Courage MKE was able to purchase a new building that they now call C2 Apartments.

“This building, which we just purchased, could be their next step because when a child ages out of social welfare, the resources for them are very minimal,” said Schlaikowski.

Courage MKE hopes to open C2 Apartments later this year. The building will house up to seven young adults. Schlaikowski said none of this would be possible without help from the community.

“We have so many people that are supporting us, and more importantly, supporting the kids. Even the leaders of our country are now supporting,” said Schlaikowski.