Guiding Growth
Our trauma-informed and evidence-based practices cultivate healing and hope for more than 1,100 youth and their families each year.
Most youth who engage with services at Lad Lake have experienced multiple, interrelated traumas which have impacted their overall well-being. Because each child is unique, we take an individualized approach to help understand his or her journey including their strengths which helps build a customized, integrated plan utilizing our continuum of care and community partners.
We believe that all children should have the supports they need to succeed in school and life. But for some, family instability, addiction, inadequate resources and trauma challenge that support.
Lad Lake has helped thousands of young people move steadily toward lives of health, safety, opportunity and self-reliance despite challenging personal histories. See how we have been building brighter futures in our Impact Report.
Making a Difference
81% of the youth in our care become self-sufficient in maintaining and improving their physical and mental health.
91% of the youth in our care report they feel more hopeful about the future
95% of Lad Lake youth are living in a safe, stable and supportive environment after completing our programs
Focus Areas
In a trauma-sensitive environment, Lad Lake helps youth dealing with abuse, addiction, aging out of foster care and/or struggling with their mental health.
Services
For our youth, Lad Lake provides safety, individualized therapy, and skill-building for independence through education, residential services and more.
Donate
When you give to Lad Lake, you not only address the needs vulnerable youth and teens, you also invest in addressing some of our community’s most challenging problems today.
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Paint for Peace - Denim Day
Lad Lake
#FridayFeature: Your Next Chapter Could be Here! Lad Lake is looking for a compassionate and experienced HR Generalist! In this role, you’ll be the heart of our HR operations at our Milwaukee Campuses - supporting staff, leading recruitment, and helping shape a workplace rooted in empathy, inclusion, and growth. If you're a people-first pro who thrives in a dynamic, mission-driven environment, this could be your perfect fit. 💚 ✅ Full-time | Milwaukee, WI ✅ 5+ years HR/recruiting experience ✅ Strong knowledge of labor laws (ADA, FMLA, FLSA) ✅ HR certification preferred (PHR, SHRM-CP) ✅ Great communicator with high emotional intelligence
Lad Lake
We are deeply thankful to Siloam Chapel in Palmyra, WI, for their generous donation of beautiful bedspreads in response to our ongoing need - helping make our campuses warmer, brighter, and more welcoming for the youth we serve. A special shoutout to the community members who delivered this gift: Mike Rubingh, Colleen Ryan, Shirley Freudenstein, Patricia Colburn, Terry Ash, and Daryl & Gail Fosberg. Though not pictured, we extend heartfelt appreciation to Pastor Duane Goetsch and his wife Freida - your care and kindness helps contribute to safe spaces and brighter futures! #ThankYou #LadLakeCommunity #YouthEmpowerment #HealingStartsHere
Lad Lake
We’re incredibly proud of Becky Effiong, Diana Williams, Antonette Johnson, and President & CEO Donelle Hauser for representing Lad Lake at the Better Ways to Cope Conference, hosted by Safe & Sound. Donelle and Becky delivered a powerful EQ² presentation, offering practical tools to strengthen emotional intelligence — helping youth, staff, and communities build connection and resilience in the face of stress. Diana and Antonette shared an inspiring look into Lad Lake’s Youth Crisis and Stabilization Facility (YCFS) — a much-needed program designed to keep youth safe, supported, and close to home during times of crisis. Their message resonated deeply