Community

Softball Game at Merrill Park

We held a friendly softball game at Merrill Park with Our Safe Place. The activity brought together clients, potential clients, and alumni from Matt Talbot. Along with the game, everyone enjoyed food, music, and children received school supplies. It was a fun way to build community, strengthen relationships, and support families in a positive environment. The activity also showed the value of teamwork and connection outside of everyday routines.

On August 23rd 2025, Upper Room Bible Church held a Back-to-School event that brought the community together and helped many children. Families joined in to get ready for the new school year, and the day offered both useful support and fun activities.

Children were given backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, nail care, and hairstyles, thanks to volunteers who shared their time and skills. While they waited, kids had fun with a bouncy house, food, and drinks, which made the day enjoyable for everyone. We are glad to support Upper Room Bible Church in this effort. It not only helped children get ready for school but also gave families a chance to come together and share in a joyful community experience.

From August 17–23, Milwaukee hosted its seventh annual Hip Hop Week MKE, a citywide celebration of hip hop culture that blended music, education, wellness, and civic engagement.
The week began with the Clipse Reunion Tour at The Rave, with Earthgang also performing. A two-night Beat Battle featured top producers from Breaking and Entering’s Big Beat MKE tournament, judged by 9th Wonder, Conductor Williams, and others, with a special performance by Benny The Butcher. At TRUE Skool, DJ Skool sessions gave young people the opportunity to learn from local DJs.
Workshops on financial literacy and legal rights gave attendees helpful guidance. The week also highlighted health and wellness with spin classes at Spinn MKE and a community run and walk with live DJ music.
Along with performances and workshops, the week encouraged connection. A job fair at Manpower Group connected participants with employment resources, while other events supported voter registration, mental health awareness, and civic engagement.

Hip Hop Week MKE 2025 once again highlighted how hip hop can be a meaningful space for creativity, education, and community growth across Milwaukee.

On August 22, 2025, Matt Talbot Recovery Services Inc. contributed toward the Back to School Book Bag Giveaway at Arlington Court’s Community Room, managed by the City of Milwaukee Housing Authority.

The event brought senior residents together with their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews for an afternoon of food, fun, and connection. Since many of the children live outside the building, it gave families a special chance to spend time together and strengthen bonds across generations. For many seniors at Arlington Court, who experience financial challenges and health concerns, the giveaway was more than receiving school supplies. It offered meaningful time with family, helped ease feelings of isolation, and encouraged a sense of hope within the community.

By contributing to this initiative, we were able to be part of an effort that provided book bags with school supplies, along with food and refreshments, for seniors and their families. It was a wonderful example of how working together can bring joy, encouragement, and a sense of connection to the community.

We are happy that Matt Talbot could support the great work Upper Room Bible Church is doing to help people in need especially those who are struggling or going through tough times.

With this support, Upper Room Bible Church has been able to keep several important programs going. These include Push and Talk recovery meetings (AA/NA), mentoring for youth, visits to prisons and nursing homes, and running Garfield House, a sober living home. These efforts are all part of the church’s mission to bring hope, support families, and build strong, spiritually healthy communities.

One way the support helped is with the church bus. The bus is used to take people to events like cookouts and youth trips. With the support, the church was able to keep the bus working. Another big event that happened because of the support was the Church and Family Cookout on Saturday, July 23rd at Mitchell Park Domes. Many joined the gathering, including friends from Matt Talbot, Howard House, and Janetta Robinson House. The kind support helped make this event a success and also assisted the church in covering the rent for July.

We are proud to celebrate a special moment for our Director of Community Outreach, Ron Grant. On June 19, 2025, Ron received the Reform Felons Ball 2025 Award for his journey and for helping others in the community.

The award was presented at the Reform Felons Ball, this event was led by Brother Meechie, the CEO and sponsor of the event. The event recognizes individuals who have accepted second chances in their lives and are now making meaningful contributions to their communities. Brother Meechie, who has also transformed his own life, started this event to recognize those who turn challenges into purpose. Through his role, Ron continues to support others by sharing hope, guidance, and leadership. His journey reminds us that with the right support and determination, lasting change is possible.

We are glad to have Ron on our team and stand beside him as he continues to make a difference in the lives of many.

Second Annual Community Cookout

The Second Annual Community Cookout, sponsored by Matt Talbot, was held for community members and people on their recovery journey. The main purpose of the event was to give back and show that recovery is possible. It also helped people see how being part of a caring community can support their healing. People felt how important it is to be connected, encouraged, and share with others during this activity. They also saw how giving back can make people feel happier, more connected, and more meaningful.

         

Thanksgiving 2024 Gift Cards

Quest Behavioral Healthcare knows that the holidays can be a stressful time for many people.  Many low-income persons lack the financial resources to enjoy the holidays.  Upon request from Emma Harrell, Block Captain for the area around 32nd and Locust in Milwaukee, we distributed gift cards for her neighborhood residents to buy food for Thanksgiving.  We wanted to help families who are struggling to afford a holiday meal, so they can come together and enjoy the day.   For Empathy Mental Health, it’s a way to show that we care about our community and want to make a positive impact. This effort creates a sense of connection and gratitude, helping bring people together when they need it most.

On May 26th, 2025, during Memorial Day Weekend, Upper Room Bible Church brought the community together for a Mental Health Awareness Cookout. The goal was to promote mental wellness in a warm, welcoming, and family-friendly setting.

This event also served as a platform to introduce Empathy Mental Health as a mental health support resource. With our support, Upper Room Bible Church hopes to grow this gathering into a bigger Community Health Fair in the future. The day was a thoughtful mix of good food, community connection, and open conversations to help remove the stigma around mental health, especially in communities that need it most. Activities Included:

• A free cookout with meals for all attendees
• Personal testimonies from individuals in recovery
• Resource tables with information from Push & Talk Recovery and UBC Ministries
• Fun games and activities for children and families
• A moment of remembrance for veterans and those lost to mental health struggles

The weather was lovely, and many people came together to join in. It was a special day filled with healing, hope, and kindness, a meaningful step forward for Upper Room Bible Church and the whole community toward greater health and support. Days like this remind us that together, we can build a community where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported on their mental health journey.

The Upper Room Bible Church held its 16th Annual Fall Church Celebration Banquet. Quest Behavioral Healthcare donated the use of its annex space for the event. Quest Behavioral Healthcare works to improve Wisconsin communities by addressing issues such as poverty, discrimination, and other challenges people face. They actively participate in community efforts to promote fairness, equality and support other organizations with similar goals through financial assistance and resources.

Over 100 people attended the banquet, including members from local churches and businesses. Special guests included Michell Pitts and her husband from Pitts Mortuary, as well as the Bells from Grace Music School. The event had a fashion show, great food, live entertainment, a comedian, a raffle, and an icebreaker activity.

By providing their annex space, Quest helped bring together local churches, businesses, and residents to support one another. The event allowed people to connect, have fun, and discuss ways to improve the community. It also highlighted the importance of giving back and how everyone’s contributions—whether time, space, or resources—can create a positive impact.

The Upper Room Bible Church is committed to helping the community, especially during the holidays. In 2024, they focused on supporting families in need by providing assistance during the holiday season. As part of their outreach, the Church set a goal to give out at least 100 turkeys to families struggling with food insecurity this Thanksgiving. They believe everyone deserves to enjoy a warm holiday meal.  On November 16, 2024, the Church held a turkey giveaway.  We donated 40 turkeys towards the Church’s goal of 100.  Along with the Church, we were pleased to help bring joy and comfort to families in need, making their holiday season brighter, offering hope and smiles during a time that can often feel difficult for many.   

Rock Da Block is an annual event in Milwaukee designed to support youth, adults, and families in need. Recognizing the economic challenges many families face, they strive to offer meaningful assistance. The event takes place every September, coinciding with the back-to-school season. This year, it will be held on September 14th from 1-5 pm at N. 35th & W. Center Street.

The event features a musical concert and a giveaway of free book bags and school supplies for children, primarily for elementary and middle school students. There will be live entertainment from local artists, a cookout with hotdogs and burgers, free groceries, and informational tables from various organizations. Attendees can also enjoy bouncy houses, games, free haircuts and hair braiding, face painting, horseback riding, and an animal petting zoo.

Additional highlights include a Milwaukee Fire Department engine for children to explore and learn about fire safety, a jail on wheels replica, guest speakers, and much more. All activities and items are provided for free to ensure that families can enjoy the event without any financial burden. Stay tuned for more updates.

On behalf of Matt Talbot and Horizon Healthcare, a community organization focused on mental health and substance abuse support, we reached out to one of Milwaukee’s homeless communities on July 27, 2024. During our visit, we distributed essential items such as hygiene products and food. We also encouraged several individuals to consider joining our Detox program and accessing Horizon’s services.

We prepared bagged lunches with sandwiches, fresh fruit, snacks, water, and juice. Additionally, we provided clothing items like socks, undergarments, t-shirts, shorts, and jogging pants. The hygiene kits included razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tissues, wipes, and deodorant. Each hygiene bag also contained business cards and pamphlets with information about our detox program, mental health counseling services, and medication management offered through American Telepsychiatry.

Residents learned about the available support services for mental health and substance abuse recovery. They were informed about the detox program, mental health counseling, and medication management options, which can help them take the first steps towards improving their well-being and rebuilding their lives.

On December 20th, 2023, the organization hosted its annual holiday dinner, and the accompanying photos clearly capture the joy and enthusiasm of the youth who actively participated in the event.  We are a proud supporter of All 4 Kidz and we were pleased to make a financial contribution for this event.

 

Recently, our contributions have benefited All 4 Kidz Inc., an organization established to create secure environments for young individuals in the foster care system, fostering emotional healing and enhancing mental health awareness. All 4 Kidz is committed to offering essential support services to children navigating the complexities of the child welfare system and dealing with trauma. The organization conducts life skills training and workshops, equipping foster youth with vital skills to navigate adulthood. We derive great satisfaction in our contribution to their success and are pleased to have played a role in supporting their mission.

Nurturing Compassion: Extending Support to a family in need.

We were recently approached by a local Church about one of their parishioners, a family of a mother and six children who had been without a stove and refrigerator since Thanksgiving.  One of our managers is involved in the Church ministry on a volunteer basis.  We arranged to buy and donate these needed appliances to the family to ensure that they do not endure the holiday season without these essential appliances.

Join us on Friday, October 13th, 2023, as elected officials, community leaders and families gather to celebrate the 70th birthday of iconic community advocate, organizer, and non-profit leader Mr. James Nelson. Expect a night of delicious food, live entertainment, a dance contest, door prizes, and the company of wonderful guests.  We are pleased to pay for the food for this event.

The Back-to-School event organized by the Upper Room Bible Church took place on September 2nd, from 11 am to 4 pm at 2025 West Fond du Lac Avenue. This gathering featured dedicated volunteers, including barbers and nail technicians, who provided haircuts for boys and nail painting for girls. Additionally, those who attended were offered tasty meals, and backpacks loaded with school materials were given out. The children and their parents showed deep appreciation for our donation. To add to the fun, they had a bouncy house for the kids to enjoy while they waited for their turn with the barbers and technicians.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to sponsor the food at the upcoming annual community celebration on October 13, 2023 in the heart of Milwaukee’s Central City at Garfield’s 502 – https://www.garfields502.com/ – a neighborhood bar featuring “live music, great food and amazing atmosphere”.  Garfield’s 502 is the premiere social gathering place for Milwaukee’s political and community leaders, elected officials, and families.  Our sponsorship is a testament to our commitment to the community and our love for our beautiful City of Milwaukee.

 The October 13 event is led and coordinated by the well-known community advocate Mr. James Nelson, formerly of Milwaukee’s iconic Career Youth Development https://www.facebook.com/Careeryouthdevelopment/ and principal assistant to its founder Ms. Jeannetta Robinson.  Ms. Robinson , who passed away in 2008 and her mother, the late national civil rights leader Ms. Claretta Simpson (affectionately known as “Mother Freedom”), founded Career Youth Development (CYD) as the premier social services organization in Milwaukee that assisted thousands of children and indigent families escape the plagues of drugs, poverty, homelessness and mental illness for over forty years. Many of Milwaukee’s leaders in the public sector today received in their youth education, nurturing, inspiration and leadership training from Jeannetta. The motto of CYD was “love in action”.  (Note: Our own CEO – Karl – was CYD’s “Man of the Year” 2002.)

Sister Jeannetta Robinson –  fondly remembered with love and affection, greatly missed and forever in our hearts.

 

We are pleased to have recently contributed to the upcoming St. Francis Parish’s Golf Outing on September 20, 2023. Father Mike of St. Francis of Assisi Parish allocated $35,000 in scholarship funds from the previous year’s Outing to 9 young individuals who dedicated their time to community service. The combined efforts of our support and that of others significantly impact the lives of these young individuals. We are grateful for the opportunity to extend our help and make a meaningful contribution to this noble cause.

“Bishop Willie Brooks of the Upper Room Bible Church in Milwaukee has just published a very important book – “A Journey of Faith” available at Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Path-Servant-Leadership-Journey-Faith/dp/

B0CD94ZTMQ/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2IKL2BJ8BBDQX&keywords=

a+journey+of+faith+brooks&qid=

1694378164&sprefix=a+journey+of+faith+brooks%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-5

The book is a philosophical reflection by the Bishop of what it means to be a servant leader.  At the same time, it is a practical guide on how to be a leader.   We purchased 300 copies of this book and distributed it within the community in order to get the Bishop’s message out about topics such as “humility”, “compassion”, ”empathy”, “listening”, “healing” and “stewardship”.  We have also made the book required reading for our Executive Team Members and key managers. 

Our Company values of diversity, equity, and inclusion.  We are committed in all we do to be supportive of different groups of individuals, including people of different races, ethnicities, religions, abilities, genders, and sexual orientations.

Jubilant Juneteenth: A Flavourful Celebration at Belwood and Other Group Homes

Belwood and our other homes rejoiced in a vibrant Juneteenth celebration on June 19th, 2023, a true feast for the senses.

Our kitchen manager prepared an exquisite lunch, featuring mouthwatering roasted Cajun turkey, candied yams, sweet cornbread, and fresh green beans.

With our bellies filled and hearts content, we gathered in the common area, where the empowering movie “Harriett” inspired us with tales of courage and triumph.

 

 

 

 

 

Unleashing our creativity, we embraced freestyle painting, using vibrant African American colors to express our individuality. And to quench our thirst for delight, we savoured slices of juicy watermelon.

Juneteenth at Belwood and other homes was an unforgettable fusion of flavors, art, and community.

We are pleased to have recently provided our support to the Rock Da Block Concert and Book Bag Giveaway. This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 23rd, 2023, from 12 noon to 5 pm on 35th Center Street (the entire lot on the northwest corner). The music concert will be complemented by various organizations setting up information tables, offering children’s games, providing reading and coloring books, setting up bouncy houses, distributing book bags and school supplies, offering free food and refreshments, and of course, presenting a lively music concert.

As proud sponsors of this event, we are continuing our tradition of wholehearted support as we’ve done before. Our contribution will go towards providing school supplies that will be placed inside the book bags.

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.

We are a proud sponsor of the “Youth Empowerment Fundraiser”, helping to create a brighter tomorrow for our youth.

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that youth and family are key to building strong communities.  We are proud to sponsor “Agape Love Ministries Youth Outreach Event”.

 

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that families getting together to share food and have fun makes for strong, vibrant communities.  We were proud to provide financial support for “Hood Love Community Pop-Up Event”.

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, in our programming we seek to educate men about the scourge of domestic abuse and empower women to free themselves from their abusers. We are proud to support www.ExposedThePodcast.com

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe that children are our future.  We are proud to sponsor and participate in “Rock da Block Concert and Bookbag Giveaway.

For 21 consecutive years in a row, during the months of November and December we reached out to all the neighbors in our block and provided them with holiday gift cards for Thanksgiving and for Christmas.  At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we believe in being good corporate citizens.

         

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, we celebrate the rich diversity of America.  Freddie Smith, Member of our Executive Management Team, represented us and participated in the 2021 Juneteenth Day celebrations of Washington County.

We are committed to working with our neighbors to keep our neighborhood litter-free, clean and beautiful.  Our employees participated in the Blitz the Block Clean Up on Friday, August 26, 2022.

Our Company is committed to being a good corporate citizen.  We distributed gift cards to all our immediate neighbors in order to allow them to buy turkeys and other items to celebrate Thanksgiving 2022.

 

 

 

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, Neighbors and neighborhoods help make communities and families strong.  We are a proud supporter of Neighborhood House.

 

At Quest Behavioral Healthcare, We believe that kidz are our future. Proud supporter of All 4 Kidz 2022.

 

We were pleased to make a recent contribution towards the repair of the charter bus at Upper Room Bible Church. The charter bus holds immense importance for the church as it facilitates the congregation, volunteers, and various ministry groups in coming together for worship services, events, and more. Unfortunately, unexpected repair needs had placed the bus in a critical situation, requiring urgent financial assistance.  We were happy to be able to help.