Brewing Change is a program here at Stone Creek where our employees choose organizations or causes they are passionate about and want to support. Brew Love is our latest Brewing Change initiative, and we are proud to partner with Courage MKE. Courage MKE is a Milwaukee-based organization dedicated to providing housing, resources, and support to LGBTQ+ youth. Through an interview, we had the privilege of learning about their incredible work and are honored to contribute to what they are doing.
“Courage MKE was established in 2015 by Brad & Nick Shalikowski, two foster fathers in the community. They were hearing horrible stories from young LGBT women about being bullied, beaten, discriminated against, and in some cases faced attempted conversion in out of home care settings.” This led them to establish Courage. “After several years they were able to purchase the Courage House with cash thanks to our beautiful Courage Family of supporters. Courage House is the first and only group home in the state of Wisconsin dedicated to LGBTQ+ youth in out of home care, and we just celebrated 5 years. In that 5 years we’ve provided housing, resources, and support to almost 40 Queer youth. We were the first trauma informed certified group home in the greater Milwaukee area! Youth cannot begin to work on their trauma and healing until they receive safe and affirming care. These youth are referred to us through the Department of Children & Family Services, they are wards of the state.”
As a wrap-up to our interview with Courage MKE, we posed that question; is there a quote or saying that you feel strongly impacts Courage MKE?
“QUEER KIDS NEED YOU! This phrase is becoming our identity. The statistics for queer youth are grim to say the least, imagine then also being a queer child in foster care, having significant trauma, and other adverse experiences often further impacted by intersectional identities.”
With every sip of Brew Love, you’re not only enjoying a delicious cup of coffee, but you’re also supporting Courage MKE and its mission to empower and uplift LGBTQ+ youth. A portion of the proceeds from Brew Love will go directly to Courage MKE, helping them continue their vital work in the community.
Join us in celebrating Pride month with Brew Love and help us make a difference, one cup at a time. Cheers to love, equality, and great coffee!
Customer Comments
“Great coffee and great customer service.” -N.O.
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“Your coffee is hard to describe. It doesn’t have a gimmicky flavor, just relies on the beans and roast. I usually never drink my coffee black, but have started with these roasts.” -C.M.