Journey House

What Journey House does

Journey House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1969 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that operates an integrated community services campus serving over 6,000 low-income youth and adults annually from the Clarke Square neighborhood and 14 surrounding zip codes. Its program portfolio is organized around four pillars: Adult Education (GED preparation in English and Spanish, English Language Learners instruction, Citizenship classes at $30 per participant, and the Plaza Comunitaria partnership with the Mexican Consulate for basic education certification), Youth Development (Journey House Packers Urban Youth Football, Felix Mantilla Little League baseball, dance and arts programming, and four Milwaukee Public Schools Community Learning Centers), Workforce Development (THRIVE Financial Opportunity Center via LISC, Construction & Design Academy, and Girls Let's Build initiative), and Family Engagement (holiday events, resource fairs, and Adopt-A-Family). The organization operates from a headquarters co-located with Longfellow Elementary School under a 99-year agreement with Milwaukee Public Schools (signed 2011, facility opened 2012), and through a public-private partnership with Milwaukee County Parks manages the Journey House Packers Football Stadium in Mitchell Park (opened 2013, the only NFL-branded community field outside an NFL stadium) and the Baran Park baseball complex (renovated 2020 for $2.2 million).

The organization's technology stack is non-proprietary and limited to standard educational and office infrastructure (SMART Technology classrooms, iMac computer lab, Microsoft Office 365), with no software product, app, or AI/ML capability disclosed. Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit mix including individual and corporate donations, foundation and government grants, annual fundraising galas (raising $200K-$419K historically), corporate sponsorships (Baird, PNC, Milwaukee Bucks, Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Brewers Community Foundation, Froedtert, United Way), facility rentals of the stadium and ball fields, and nominal program fees, supplemented by in-kind contributions from major partners such as the Green Bay Packers' donation of the former Ray Nitschke practice field.

Journey House is led by CEO Dr. Michele Bria (in role since 1998), supported by a Board of Directors and an 11-50 person full-time staff backed by hundreds of volunteers, with governance reinforced by a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) Journey House Charitable Foundation established in 2011. The organization convenes 280+ partnerships with universities (Marquette, UWM, Alverno, Mount Mary, Cardinal Stritch), corporations, and community intermediaries (United Way, LISC, UNCOM, Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee) to deliver programs, and is currently extending into affordable housing development via Cardinal Capital Management.

Name

Journey House

Legal name

Journey House, Inc.

Website

https://journeyhouse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Journey House is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1969, that delivers adult education, youth development, workforce readiness, and family engagement programs to over 6,000 low-income youth and families annually in the Clarke Square neighborhood.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Nonprofit Services (Adult Education, Youth Development, Workforce Development)

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Life Programming & Student Engagement Services (EDAEAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Post-Secondary Transition Planning & Coordination (EDAKANAA)

Keywords

• Adult education services
• Youth development programs
• Workforce development training
• Community based nonprofit
• Family engagement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Journey House relies heavily on donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. The organization holds annual gala events that generate significant support, with recent galas raising over $273,000 (2025), $200,000+ (2023), and $234,395 (2022).
2. Program Fees: Adult education programs charge nominal fees: GED classes, English Language Learners (ELL), and Citizenship classes cost $30 including materials. Plaza Comunitaria is offered free of charge.
3. Grants and Government Funding: Journey House receives grants from various sources including government programs, foundations, and public-private partnerships with Milwaukee Public Schools and Milwaukee County Parks.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors including Baird (ECAB Group), PNC Bank, Milwaukee Bucks, Green Bay Packers, and others provide financial and in-kind support.
5. Facility Rentals: Journey House generates revenue through rental of its facilities including the Packers Football Stadium, gymnasium, classrooms, and Baran Park Baseball Fields to community groups and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Journey House is a community-based nonprofit organization that delivers four integrated program pillars to low-income youth and families in Milwaukee's near south side: Adult Education (GED preparation in English and Spanish at $30 per person, English Language Learners instruction, Citizenship classes, and Plaza Comunitaria in partnership with the Mexican Consulate), Youth Development (athletics, academics, arts through Community Learning Centers at Milwaukee Public Schools), Workforce Readiness (THRIVE Financial Opportunity Center using the LISC model and the Construction & Design Academy including Girls Let's Build), and Family Engagement (community resource fairs, holiday celebrations, and Adopt-A-Family). Programs are delivered at its Clarke Square headquarters, four MPS Community Learning Centers, the Journey House Packers Football Stadium, and the Felix Mantilla Little League complex at Baran Park, serving over 6,000 individuals annually.

Product overview

Journey House offers a suite of community programs organized around four core pillars: Adult Education (GED, ELL, Citizenship, Plaza Comunitaria), Youth Development (athletics, academics, arts through Community Learning Centers), Workforce Readiness (THRIVE Financial Opportunity Center, Construction & Design Academy), and Family Engagement (holiday events, resource fairs). The organization operates physical facilities including the Journey House Packers Football Stadium and Felix Mantilla Little League baseball complex at Baran Park. Programs are free or low-cost to participants and are designed for low-income urban youth and families in Milwaukee's Clarke Square neighborhood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Felix Mantilla Little League: Youth baseball league program established in 1972 by MLB Legend Felix Mantilla, providing children with opportunity to play baseball and learn important life lessons through sports and academics.
• Journey House Packers Football Stadium
• Construction & Design Academy (CDA)
• Girls Let's Build (GLB)
• Journey House Charitable Foundation

Products and services

• Adult Education Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves over 6,000 individuals annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

31 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Milwaukee Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House entered into a 99-year agreement with MPS in 2011 to build a facility adjacent to Longfellow Elementary School. Journey House coordinates four MPS Community Learning Centers (CLCs), after-school programs to enrich students' lives academically and recreationally.
• Milwaukee County ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner2013 partnership to establish Journey House Packers Stadium on Pierce Street at South 22nd Street in Milwaukee County's Mitchell Park. Journey House manages stadium complex through this public-private partnership.
• Green Bay PackerscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated the former Ray Nitschke practice field to Journey House, now the Packers Football Stadium. The only field in the world with an NFL team's logo outside of an NFL stadium.
• Milwaukee Brewers Community FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors uniforms and equipment for Felix Mantilla Little League. Host Play Ball Weekend youth clinics at Baran Park. Provides ongoing support for youth baseball programming.
• Milwaukee BuckscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFantastic partner helping expose youth to variety of careers, running basketball camps, renovating basketball courts, and providing game tickets to Journey House participants.
• United WaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking together on the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership to improve educational outcomes for Milwaukee's Public Schools.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House serves as a Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) for Clarke Square through LISC's FOC program, training participants to become more financially stable and prepared to enter or re-enter the workforce.
• Clarke Square Neighborhood InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House works closely with the Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative to increase quality of life in Clarke Square.
• United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House is one of eight UNCOM member agencies. UNCOM exists to combine and enhance the assets of partner agencies to improve quality of life for urban families.
• Marquette UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House engages in variety of partnerships including welcoming MU service learners and partnership in Trinity Fellowship Program. Marquette University High School football and lacrosse teams play home games at Journey House Stadium.
• University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House welcomes UWM service learners. The university lends athletic expertise for coach's clinics, camps, and development of athletics leagues. Dr. Bria served as keynote speaker at UWM December 2020 Commencement.
• Froedtert Hospital & Medical College of WisconsincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on many activities and programs to improve lives of people Journey House serves. John Ernst, VP of Operations at Froedtert, serves on Journey House Board.
• UMOScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce development partner. Neighborhood Ambassadors Program is a partnership between Journey House, UMOS, and the City of Milwaukee.
• Discovery WorldmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaintains 'mi casa es su casa' relationship. Discovery World provides Journey House with access to meeting space and programs for youth and families. Kohl's mobile lab visits regularly.
• Community Shares of Greater MilwaukeemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerJourney House is a member agency of Community Shares, which raises funds for local nonprofits focused on social justice, animal welfare, and the environment.
• Wisconsin Technical College SystemmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignificant investor in Journey House's Adult Education program, supporting ELL and GED programs, as well as promoting civic engagement.
• Alverno College School of NursingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNursing students teach Journey House participants about healthy lifestyles. Lessons incorporated into existing programming based on participant interests.
• Betty Brinn Children's MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides memberships to families who participate in Journey House programs. Provides access to members-only events and keeps families updated through newsletter.
• Urban Ecology CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJourney House families can take advantage of the Urban Ecology Center's environmental and educational programs at its Menomonee Valley location.
• Mount Mary UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides professional development opportunities for Journey House staff and provides service learners.
• Milwaukee Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll athletes who participate in Journey House athletics are required to have a Milwaukee Public Library card. MPL is partner in increasing literacy among Milwaukee residents.
• Sam's Hope Literacy FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIn partnership with Milwaukee Bucks, installed large library collection in Journey House teen lounge.
• Waterstone BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsors advertisement promoting Journey House on Green Bay Packers pre- and post-game radio shows on 620 WTMJ.
• SKY Breathing for SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative to create culture of peace through stress-reducing breathing techniques that help increase academic and athletic performance. Dr. Bria is a certified SKY Breathing Meditation Instructor.
• Menomonee Valley PartnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvolved in and supports Journey House's initiatives that focus on economic and workforce development.
• Teens Grow GreensminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssists young teen leaders in a nine-month internship to learn, grow, and go.
• Cardinal Capital ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with Journey House to expand Journey House Campus Housing and create new affordable housing in the Clarke Square Neighborhood.
• Bublr BikesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks with Journey House to discover affordable ways to sustain transportation and a healthy lifestyle through biking.
• ProLiteracyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational nonprofit organization based in Syracuse, NY that supports adult literacy programs. Journey House is a member.
• Wisconsin LiteracyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit coalition of 75 community-based literacy programs in Wisconsin. Journey House is a member.
• Neighborhood News Service MilwaukeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegularly provides coverage of activities at Journey House and in the Clarke Square neighborhood.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Council of La Raza (UnidosUS): National Latino advocacy and service organization supporting affiliate community-based organizations serving Hispanic families with education, workforce, and youth programs — closely aligned with Journey House's predominantly Latino participant base.

Direct peers

• YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee: Regional YMCA serving Milwaukee with comparable facility-based programming including youth athletics, adult education, family engagement, and community wellness — same geography and very similar multi-pillar service model as Journey House.
• Milwaukee Urban League: Urban League affiliate serving Black and low-income Milwaukee residents with workforce development, youth programming, and family services — comparable mission, target population, and service pillars to Journey House.
• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): National CDFI that operates the Financial Opportunity Center network in which Journey House participates; comparable in providing integrated financial coaching, employment, and income-support services to low-income urban families.
• United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County: Local United Way affiliate and direct Journey House partner; comparable in funding community-based programs for low-income families and convening cross-sector partnerships across education, workforce, and youth development.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National federation of community-based youth development organizations offering after-school programs, athletics, and academic support — directly comparable in mission, target population (low-income urban youth), and facility-based delivery model to Journey House's youth programming.
• United Neighborhood Centers of Milwaukee (UNCOM): Federation of Milwaukee neighborhood centers of which Journey House is a member; directly comparable in operating community-based, multi-service centers serving low-income urban families across the metro.
• Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin: Regional Goodwill affiliate providing adult education, workforce development, and youth programming to low-income populations — highly comparable workforce development and adult education model to Journey House's THRIVE and GED programs.

Regional players

• Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee: Federated fundraising intermediary of which Journey House is a member agency; comparable in pooling donations for social-justice focused nonprofits across the Milwaukee region.
• Clarke Square Neighborhood Initiative: Geographic peer operating in the same Clarke Square neighborhood as Journey House; complementary rather than competitive, focused on housing and neighborhood revitalization alongside Journey House's service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutu.be/2J2tu6hfmo8

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Journey House