Wisconsin Assoc. for Homeless and Runaway Services WAHRS

02/09/2026

Why it is so important that Wisconsin move our legislation to be consistent with our own state and Federal law.

Wisconsin is one of a minority of states in which minors can be arrested and prosecuted for the "crime" of prostitution, a crime to which they cannot legally consent given our own anti child trafficking legislation. WI SB 73 AB 79 is bipartisan sponsored legislation that would protect minor victims of trafficking from arrest and prosecution, improving their likelihood to work with law enforcement and to accept protective services.

Call your Wisconsin legislator to endorse this legislation and request their efforts to schedule hearings in the House and Senate.

State law aimed at protecting s*xually trafficked children can cause more harm than good by identifying them as criminals and not victims.

01/28/2026

Secure Your Spot at NN4Y’s 2026 National Summit on Youth Homelessness!

Registration is open for NN4Y’s 2026 National Summit on Youth Homelessness, taking place March 12-13 in Washington DC. The Summit brings together service providers, youth leaders, advocates, policymakers, and community partners working to ensure all young people have a safe place to call home. We invite you to join us for inspiring speakers, solutions-focused workshops, powerful youth voice sessions, and time to meet with your elected officials.



Register now before prices increase on February 1, 2026.
Don’t miss your chance to save and be part of shaping a future where every young person has a safe, stable place to call home. Learn more and register:

Agenda Become a Sponsor Summit 2026 Home Registration Hotel and Travel Join us March 12-13, 2026 in Washington, DC! Every year, the National Network for Youth hosts the annual National Summit on Youth Homelessness + Hill Day in Washington D.C.

08/12/2025

WAHRS' Members, it's not too late to nominate a partner or colleague for WAHRS' Svanoe Award. Nominations are open until Augist 20th!

The Ren Svanoe award is presented yearly by WAHRS to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding commitment and compassion to improving the lives of youth experiencing homelessness. Individuals are nominated by members and granted the award through a membership voting process. The award is named....

08/12/2025

Registration for the WAHRS conference is now open for registration for agencies and individuals who wish to engage in Wisconsin's only conference focused on youth and young adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability.

Register today and share with your partner organizations! Agenda will be released this week!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelBJkFDpGvMcnepWRRwYYnLiOfm2z4u3Sh3HhflT4JHPQBGg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106209253921633044841

07/24/2025

Breaking! In partnership with Baker MacKenzie Law, the National Network For Youth is launching a weekly hotline to provide youth and young adults with support in obtaining vital documents. This resource is staffed by lawyers who are familiar with applicable state laws and resources. Please share this resource with youth and young adults, your partners, and communities

I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth - National Network for Youth

Click Here to Call: 1-888-870-3627 The Ultimate Creative Website Builder The Ultimate Creative Website Builder The Ultimate Creative Website Builder The I Am Here: Vital Document Legal Hotline for Youth is a free,

07/18/2025

Rural homelessness grows in Wisconsin amid state and federal funding gaps

Homeless service providers rally together as federal funding cuts loom and the governor’s $24 million proposal gets cut.

06/27/2025

Navigating the Changing Waters: Youth Homelessness in a Shifting World

The Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services is seeking presenters for our Fall Conference, September 30-October 2 and Stone Harbor Resort, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. We are asking for submissions by July 14th through the link provided below.

Are you passionate about improving outcomes for youth experiencing housing instability? Do you have innovative ideas, promising practices, or real-world experiences that can inspire change? Set sail with us as we navigate the currents of youth services and explore uncharted waters together.

The Wisconsin Association for Homeless and Runaway Services (WAHRS) invites you to submit a proposal to present at Wisconsin’s only statewide conference dedicated to supporting homeless, housing unstable, and runaway youth. This annual event brings together service providers, advocates, and young people for two days of connection, collaboration, and actionable learning.

We’re seeking interactive, thought-provoking sessions that empower both youth and service providers. Whether you're highlighting successful programs, leading important conversations, or helping others rethink the way they work, your insights can help shape the future of youth housing services in Wisconsin.

Our members and previous conference participants have identified these topic areas as the compass headings guiding this year’s voyage.

Navigating Shifting Tides: Planning and Responding in Changing Political Climates
Anchored in Community: Partnering Locally for Sustainable Support
Tech at the Helm: Steering Homeless Youth Services with Data and Innovation
Expanding the Fleet: Diversifying Funding and Exploring Private Support Channels
Knowing the Rules of the Water: Understanding WI Laws, Regulations, and Licensing (Shelter Care, Group Homes, Host Homes
Calm in the Storm: Meeting the Mental Health and Substance Use Needs of Youth
Raising New Sails: Youth Empowerment and Leadership on the Rise
Choosing the Right Voyage: Family Reunification vs. Independent Living Success
Leaving the Dock: Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
Deep Dives: Having Hard Conversations with Youth
Open Waters: Got a fresh idea? We welcome additional topics that align with our mission and focus
Here is the LINK for submission:

September 30 – October 1 | Stone Harbor Resort, Sturgeon Bay, WI Are you passionate about improving outcomes for youth experiencing housing instability? Do you have innovative ideas, promising practices, or real-world experiences that can inspire change? Set sail with us as we navigate the current...

06/09/2025

This is an evolving development. We are continuing to work with our state commission, Federal AmeriCorps office, AmeriCorps Member Host Sites, and, most importantly, the AmeriCorps Members, who have committed to service in their communities through August 31.

We are cautiously hopeful that evolving information from our state commission and the Federal office will provide an opportunity to extend service beyond the June 15 date cited in this article. We are communicating directly with the agencies doing the work in their communities to continue the impact of this important project addressing youth and young adult homelessness and housing instability.

This has been and continues to be incredibly stressful for our members, host site agencies, and the communities served. We are grateful to have weathered this disruption through the time needed for the court to issue an injunction. We stand with our AmeriCorps members and Wisconsin's youth and young adults as we work together to prevent and end youth homelessness in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin is among the states that sued in April after the Trump administration cut off nearly $400 million in funding to AmeriCorps.

05/03/2025

WAHRS is continuing to stand with our members and communities during this crisis.

AmeriCorps is a national service program with hundreds of thousands of volunteers.

05/01/2025

Our third annual educational session and advocacy day connected our legislators with agencies and young people from around the state to learn more about how Wisconsin's policies and legislation impact our most vulnerable. We are grateful to Senator LaTonya Johnson for hosting and to all who took the time to support and engage at this event.

I love it when my worlds collide!
Today I attended the WI Association of Homeless and Runaway Services meeting. This meeting was led by the amazing Joli Guenther, the WAHRS Executive Director. Joli, also served on the Boys & Girls Club of Portage Board of Directors during my tenure. She was, and remains, a huge voice as well as guiding expert when it came to caring for our youth.

Today she, and her colleagues and service partners from across the state, shared information and stories of how flawed our current structures are when providing critical and often life saving services to homeless youth.

There's a few bills that will be passing through the legislature which will be ways to support these youth, specifically AB79 and AB49.
I will be supporting BOTH of these pieces of legislation.

In addition, the recent demise of the federal Americorps program, will be a devastating blow to these service organizations, as well as many others, including Boys & Girls Clubs across the state.

Let your Federal and State representatives know how important these services and programs are to our kids and families.

04/29/2025

Press Release: “We’re Going to Sue to Stop Them” Gov. Evers Slams Trump Administration for Cuts to AmeriCorps, Serve Wisconsin State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 04/29/2025 12:11 PM CDT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: [email protected] The Evers Administration was informed on Friday—withou...