Our Journey Through the Years
Since its founding, Our Space has been a pillar of support, connection, and growth for individuals in our community. Built on the belief that everyone deserves a place to belong, we have dedicated ourselves to fostering an environment of inclusion and empowerment. Through innovative programs, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to mental health and well-being, Our Space has touched countless lives and continues to evolve to meet the needs of those we serve.
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Join us in celebrating the rich history of Our Space—a journey of resilience, collaboration, and hope that inspires our work today and into the future.
1987–1990:
A Vision Takes Root
From Community Idea to Lifesaving Resource
Our Space was founded in 1987 by a passionate group of family members, clergy, mental health professionals, and service recipients determined to create a safe, inclusive
drop-in center for those living with mental illness. With support from All Saints Cathedral, Our Space officially opened on October 8, 1988, serving 35 consumers, 3 days a week.
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Early Leadership (1988–1991):
During its formative years, Our Space was guided by several interim Executive Directors, each contributing to the organization’s early growth and expansion to 5-day-a-week service.
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Blair Cassell (1988–1989)
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Sharon Watson (1989–1990)
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Jessica Suhr (1990)
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Bill Daniel (1990)
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Anne Kamin (1991)​​​
1991–2001:
Expanding Purpose under Heather Fay
Appointed Executive Director in 1991, Heather Fay brought a decade of committed leadership, expanding programs and visibility. Our Space partnered in the creation of Grand Avenue Club, launched prevocational programming like the Blue Dove Gift Shop, and received NAMI’s Certificate of Appreciation in 1992.​​​
1996: Purchased historic 1920 Fenning Funeral Home on Lincoln Ave.
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Launched Blue Dove Gift Shop at the Milwaukee County Mental Health Complex.
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The temporary location—the Motherhouse of the School Sisters of St. Francis—was a historically significant space, formerly known as St. Joseph Convent and once home to Alverno College before its current campus opened in 1953.
2004: Piloted peer support in Milwaukee & Waukesha Counties with Healthier Wisconsin grant.
Assumed oversight of BHD’s Office of Consumer Affairs; launched Parent Peer Support Program.
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2005: Fifth research study completed in partnership with UWM’s Department of Human Movement Sciences.
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Full-time occupational therapist added to the team.
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2007: Opened Crisis Resource Center with $1M in funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
2008: Expanded peer services to AODA groups under Dr. Tom Harding at BHD.
Collaborated with Sue Schuler and Joan Sternweis to create Wisconsin’s Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification path.
2010: First CPSS exams held; Our Space became the first to train over 400 peer support specialists.
2004–2011:
Leading Supportive Housing Initiatives
Our Space reimagined what “support” could look like—with wraparound services in residential settings. From Fardale to Empowerment Villages, the agency partnered with developers and county leadership to offer independent, peer-supported living to hundreds.
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In September 2004, Our Space and SRRR initiated a Peer Mentor Supported Apartment Program at the Fardale Apartments. This marked the beginning of the supportive housing initiative throughout Milwaukee County, designed to help individuals with mental illness achieve long-term housing outcomes with peer support services.
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2004: Launched Peer Mentor Supported Apartment Program at Fardale Apartments.
2012–2016:
A Bridge Forward with Jennifer Meden
Having worked alongside Joan, Jennifer Meden led with continuity and compassion. Under her leadership, Our Space extended services to Farwell Studio Apartments (2013) and Highland Commons (2015), bringing peer support to even more residents with severe and persistent mental illness.
2016–Today:
Innovation and Identity with
Nora Hitchcock
In April 2014, Nora joined Our Space to fulfill her desire to help others while pursuing her graduate degree. Her extensive experience with Milwaukee County's Behavioral Health Division and the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Department allowed her to work closely with individuals navigating the intersections of the legal and mental health systems. This dual expertise provided Nora with a unique perspective on the complex challenges faced by those seeking support.
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She initially served as assistant to the Executive Director and managed organizational operations during the director’s maternity leave. In that time, Nora cut the Price is Right Shoppe budget in half, secured Highland Commons supportive apartments through a successful grant proposal, and upgraded the organization’s data collection system to streamline outcome reporting.
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By April 2016, she became Interim Director, and in October 2016, Nora was appointed Executive Director. Her first steps in leadership included a comprehensive financial and operational analysis to assess the effectiveness and sustainability of existing programs. She evaluated processes, resource allocation, and key performance metrics to build a foundation for long-term planning and mission-aligned growth.
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In June 2016, Our Space partnered with Managed Health Services (formerly Cenpatico®) to launch a pilot peer support program designed to reduce excessive emergency care usage. This groundbreaking initiative became the first isolated pilot in the state to yield quantifiable data on the positive impact of peer support services.
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2017: Received BRSS TACS grant from SAMHSA. Became provider in Milwaukee County’s CCS and Wiser Choice programs
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In 2018, the Behavioral Health Division awarded Our Space the peer-run respite (PRR) contract, which led to the February 2019 launch of Parachute House, a community-based, home-like alternative for individuals experiencing heightened stress.
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2019: Opened Parachute House – served 189 guests in 10 months and answered 5,000+ warmline calls.
In 2021, Parachute House formally joined Wisconsin’s
peer-run respite network, expanding statewide accessibility. Joined Wisconsin’s peer-run respite network.
In 2025, we embraced a bold website redesign and crafted impactful branding materials to forge a powerful identity for Our Space as we move forward into the future.
1990: Participated in a community coalition to establish the Grand Avenue Club.
1995: Temporarily relocated to the Sisters of St. Francis Convent at 27th & Layton while seeking a permanent home.
2001–2012:
Pioneers of Peer Support Under
Joan Lawrence
Joan Lawrence brought bold vision and compassion to Our Space during her tenure as Executive Director from 2001 to 2012. She was a fierce advocate for individuals living with mental illness and a recognized leader in the statewide peer support movement.
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During her tenure, Joan collaborated with Sue Schuler, then Director of Nursing at Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division (BHD). Sue, inspired by early peer support discussions following the 1999 Columbine tragedy, recognized that traditional systems lacked true understanding and connection. She saw peer support as part of the solution and reached out to Our Space. Joan welcomed the opportunity and together they helped transform peer services into a state-recognized model of care.
Service Expansion and Outreach
In 2002, Our Space deepened partnerships with NAMI and expanded outreach to Milwaukee’s Native American and Hispanic communities—enhancing cultural diversity and reaching more underserved individuals.
The agency also launched Milwaukee County’s first Wellness/Exercise Program for mental health consumers, offering treadmills, bikes, and strengthening equipment alongside weekly health education. UWM’s Department of Human Kinetics conducted research supporting the program’s biopsychosocial benefits.
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In 2003, Joan introduced the Parents Without Children (PWOC) Program, supporting those who had lost custody of children due to mental illness. That same year, Our Space launched a Basic Literacy Functional Program to strengthen reading, math, and writing skills.
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2004: Launched the Price is Right Shoppe—serving over 12,000 individuals with free clothing and household goods on a referral basis.
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In 2006, Joan secured a $500,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to develop the Crisis Resource Center, which opened in December 2007. It became the first RWJF-funded project to feature peer support as a major component and is now a national model for reducing hospitalization and incarceration.
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Throughout her leadership, Joan oversaw the creation of recovery-oriented, consumer-driven programs with the support of the Member Management Program Committee. Her legacy of innovation, inclusion, and advocacy helped lay the foundation for everything Our Space continues to build today.
​On August 28, 2008, Our Space celebrated the grand opening of United House, a collaboration with United Christian Church and Cardinal Capital Management. Located at 25th and Center, it features 24 one-bedroom apartments for individuals referred by Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division’s SAIL Program. Our Space provided wraparound support including independent living skills, one-on-one supportive conversations, and group sessions focused on cooking, medication management, mental health education, crisis planning, and recreational activities.
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In 2007, Our Space partnered again with Cardinal Capital to secure a new location for expanded housing. The vision included demolishing its current site and rebuilding a new Our Space alongside 30+ supportive apartments. Oakton Manor, located at 15th and National, became available and was secured through an option-to-purchase agreement. After partial demolition, 35 new apartments were constructed.
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2011: Oakton Manor redevelopment launched with 35 apartments and peer support services.
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Meanwhile, the original Our Space building at 525 W. Lincoln Ave. was also torn down to make way for Empowerment Village National and Empowerment Village Lincoln—two housing developments offering supportive services to those experiencing homelessness or mental illness. These facilities, completed in September 2011, were part of a citywide public-private effort to address the shortage of special needs housing.
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2011: Empowerment Village Lincoln & National open with 30 new units.
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Developed in collaboration with Cardinal Capital and built by Horizon Construction, Empowerment Villages include modern amenities such as resident storage, fitness centers, community rooms, libraries, laundry facilities, and full kitchens in each unit. These housing initiatives continue to reflect Our Space’s mission of providing recovery-centered, supportive living environments.
2016: Partnered with MHS to reduce ER usage through peer support; pilot yielded measurable results
In 2017, Our Space was awarded the Bringing Recovery Supports to Scale Technical Assistance Center Strategy (BRSS TACS) capacity-building grant through SAMHSA, further strengthening organizational infrastructure.
In 2020, Nora led the agency through an organization-wide rebrand, including a new logo and refreshed mission statement centered on the tagline “A Community that Cares and Grows Together.” Completed rebrand and mission refresh.
In March 2022, Our Space launched a collaborative initiative with HW Development LLC to provide peer support services for women with children, fostering empowerment through trauma-informed care. Launched peer support collaboration with HW Development for women and children.
