Trauma is an event or condition that is physically or emotionally harmful, causes significant distress and suffering, has the potential to overwhelm individuals, families, or community coping resources. Trauma may arise from accidents, crime, the death of a loved one, experiencing or witnessing violence, including gun violence, natural disasters, physical or emotional abuse and neglect, and conflict/war. Trauma harms an individual's sense of safety, self, and ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships and adversely impacts communities. The impact of trauma may be more apparent in some individuals and communities than others.

S.E. Wisconsin has a long history of unaddressed, generational trauma. In Milwaukee, according to the State of WI Prevention Board, there is a high incidence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) scores of four or higher, indicating exposure to at least four traumatic events before the age of 18. For community members that identify as Black and Latino, one in three report an ACE score of four or higher. Studies show individuals who suffer childhood traumas, like abuse or neglect, are more likely to suffer from depression or addiction as adults. Damaging trauma may also occur in adults.

SWIM addresses these concerns by understanding and supporting the trauma-informed needs of these vulnerable populations and scaling best practices for Milwaukee and beyond. SWIM provides free and/or low-cost trauma-informed, community-based, and culturally relevant wellness services to all individuals in need with a specific focus on populations that experience personal trauma stemming from Adverse Childhood Experiences of abuse, addiction, neglect, racism, poverty and mental health conditions.

The SWIM Hub operates in the state-of-the-art Concordia 27 complex on Milwaukee’s Near West Side. The Hub is intentionally located near Milwaukee’s major highways and bus lines so that individuals from across the region can access SWIM services.

SWIM and our partners offer a variety of outreach activities and services throughout S.E. Wisconsin, including Kenosha, Racine, and throughout Jefferson, Ozaukee, and Waukesha Counties.

SWIM’s collaborative partnership and revenue generation model promotes long-term financial sustainability. SWIM’s collaborating partners – National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southeast Wisconsin, Bloom Art & Integrated Therapies, Celani Skin & Wellness, A Moment of Retreat, Grace Healing & Wellness, Marquette Physical Therapy ComMUnity Clinic, Academy of Health, Sky Schools, Center for Independence, Near West Side Partners, and SWIM itself – are co-located at Concordia 27. SWIM’s partners, who lease space at the Hub, provide a consistent revenue stream, reducing reliance on unpredictable funding sources, which is a common risk for small nonprofits. This approach also promotes collaboration between mission-aligned community partners and stakeholders.

SWIM’s activities focus on three key areas:

1. Providing healing and wellness services to community members who have experienced primary trauma or are coping with secondary trauma

2. Strengthening the regions work force by supporting work force development efforts and providing workplace trauma trainings to assist in the retention and professional development of front-line workers

3. Convening leaders, researchers, frontline workers, and stakeholders through education and outreach events to advance conversations about practices and policies to address trauma and promote resilience and scale wellness.

Healing, Wellness, and Resilience Services (for individuals): Counseling • Reiki • Yoga • Meditation • Massage Therapy • Spiritual Guidance • Community Support Groups • Skincare

Trauma-Responsive Capacity Building (for organizations): Trainings & Workshops • Consulting • Educational Services • Coalition Building

Since its inception, SWIM has served thousands of individuals throughout the Milwaukee region. In the six months since the SWIM Hub opened in Summer 2024, we have served at least 200 individuals at the new site. Over the next three years, SWIM aims to serve at least 5,400 individuals.

Led by Dr. Gabriel Velez of Marquette University, the SWIM data team is developing an evidence-based framework to support its work. This evidence-based approach, aligned with the children’s and adult Hope Scales, will measure how SWIM increases individual’s agency and ability to develop and achieve goals. This research will increase SWIM’s credibility, appeal to diverse funding sources, mitigate risks associated with donor fatigue or restricted grant cycles, and allow SWIM to scale its impact.