Housing Services
OutReach has had many forays into Housing Services over the years. Now, we have support for the LGBTQ+ community, providing essential housing services to those in need. With a commitment to inclusivity and compassion, OutReach and it's various programs offer some solutions for clients facing housing insecurity. Through our work, we ensure that every member of the LGBT community has access to stable and affirming housing options. Whether it's temporary shelter, transitional housing, or assistance with finding permanent residences, OutReach is there every step of the way, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment within the community.
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Click the Links below to see more about our services.
What is YHDP? What is EverStrong?
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EverStrong (YHDP Program)
The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) is an initiative designed to reduce the number of youth experiencing homelessness. The goal of the YHDP is to support selected communities, including rural, suburban, and urban areas across the United States, in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness.
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Madison/Dane County has been given funds to end youth homelessness within our community. This project will bring the community together and combine efforts to ensure system-wide changes and a foundation to drive the mission of ending youth homelessness into action.
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The YHDP Coordinated Community Plan (CCP) has been developed with our Youth Action Board (YAB) at the helm, service providers, as well, as a variety of county sectors and community members.
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EverStrong is the name for OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center's part of the YHDP program. Our EverStrong Program Director is DaMontae January and our EverStrong System Navigator is Skye Gia Garcia.
What is the role of the System Navigator?
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What is the role of the ES Program Director?
Our System Navigators offer supportive services to program participants by fostering accountability, connection, and empathy throughout their journey to housing stability. They assist with connecting to services, setting appointments, and following up with providers. Additionally, they help participants set and achieve personal goals, such as building life skills, maintaining a clean home, and thriving socially, emotionally, and physically.
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The Housing Navigator is available to individuals experiencing homelessness, whether in shelters or living outside, and not enrolled in other navigation programs. They help identify housing barriers, develop progress plans, assist with housing applications in the private market, guide through subsidized housing options, and connect to transitional housing programs if needed.
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The EverStrong Program Director leads intensive, housing-focused system navigation services to support participants through their journey to housing stability, aiming for their overall well-being. The System Navigator provides mobile engagement, case management, resource navigation, and helps create and achieve individualized goals. Their goal is to help homeless or at-risk youth build independent living skills, avoid entering homelessness services, or quickly exit into the safest, most permanent housing available.
How to contact our EverStrong Team
To contact System Navigator, Skye Gia Garcia, email skyegia@lgbtoutreach.org or call 608-255-8582. OutReach offices are open M-F 12-7. If she can not take your call right away, she will get back to you.
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To contact System Navigator, TaMaya Travis, email tamayat@lgbtoutreach.org or call 608-255-8582. OutReach offices are open M-F 12-7. If she can not take your call right away, she will get back to you.
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To contact Housing Navigator, Renee Reed, email reneer@lgbtoutreach.org or call 608-255-8582. OutReach offices are open M-F 12-7. If they can not take your call right away, he will get back to you.
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To contact ES Program Director, DaMontae January, email damontaej@lgbtoutreach.org or call 608-255-8582. OutReach offices are open M-F 12-7. If he can not take your call right away, he will get back to you.
EverStrong Drop-In Center
Starting in June 2024, the EverStrong program will have its own Drop-In Center in the same building as OutReach (2701 International Lane, Madison, WI 53704), Suite 100.
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The Drop-In Center case management is intended to help the clients resolve their homelessness via access to a diversion conversation, coordinated entry, or to prevent homelessness. It also supports the client in obtaining permanent connections, education/employment, stable housing, and social-emotional well-being. The intensity of case management services differs by client. The clients may choose goals of their own to work toward.
Willma's Fund
What is Willma's Fund?
Willma's Fund is a rental assistance program by OutReach providing financial aid to LGBTQ+ people in Dane County, WI to help relieve or prevent homelessness.
Willma’s Fund provides onetime support towards rent and security deposit payments only. We can provide up to one monetary gift per year, per client. Payments are made directly to clients’ landlord or leasing agency, and clients must have a current, signed lease.
Intake Process
Willma’s Fund operates on a limited monthly budget and cannot guarantee assistance. The Fund opens at 12:00 PM (noon) on a designated opening day once per month, usually the Third Tuesday.*
To receive full consideration for funding, please call OutReach at 608-255-8582 on the monthly opening day, during business hours (12:00 – 6:00 PM). A team member will record your information. If we are able
to offer you rental assistance, Willma’s Fund staff will return your call to complete a quick intake. Due to the volume of inquiries, we cannot guarantee a call back. We do not do walk-in or email intakes.
If you reach us when the fund is closed for the month, we will record your inquiry and advise that you call back when the fund reopens.
*The Willma’s Fund monthly opening date may shift in the rare event of a holiday or other conflict. Check OutReach’s website and/or social media platforms for updates.
The 2025 Willma’s Fund opening dates are: 1/21, 2/18, 3/18, 4/15, 5/20, 6/17, 7/15, 8/19, 9/16, 10/21, 11/18, and 12/9 (2nd Tuesday in December only).
Willma's Fund History
The Fund is named for longtime Madison drag performer and activist Willma Flynn-Stone, who founded the program in 2011 to specifically address LGBTQ+ homelessness.
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Funded originally by drag shows by Willma herself and other entertainers, Willma’s Fund has grown significantly and now receives grants, private donations, and additional community support. We are proud to have given away over $350,000 in aid to LGBTQ+ clients.
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Click here to support our work on this ever-pressing issue! We are always seeking donations and grateful for your help.
