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.
EverStrong (YHDP Program)
EverStrong is the name for OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center's part of the 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. 
What is the role of the System Navigators?
What is the role of the Housing Navigator?
Our  System Navigators provide thoughtful services to program participants through accountability, connection, and empathetic support during all stages of participants’ journey to housing stability. These positions also support program participants in getting connected to services, including providing assistance in setting appointments and following up with providers. They will also walk alongside participants as they create and achieve realistic and attainable goals that honor the participant’s individual identity, like building life skills such as grocery shopping or maintaining a clean and organized life and home with the ultimate intention of supporting the young person to thrive socially, emotionally and physically!
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The System Navigators provide intensive, housing-focused system navigation services to program participants to support them through all stages of their journey to housing stability, with the ultimate goal of supporting the young person to thrive socially, emotionally, and physically! The System Navigator provides mobile engagement, support, and case management for unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness or housing crisis, one-on-one community resource navigation, support in creating individualized goal plans, and assistance in helping reach those goals. The purpose of the System Navigator is to help homeless and at-risk youth increase independent living skills and prevent them from entering the homelessness services system if possible or help them rapidly exit the homeless system into the safest and most permanent arrangement available.
The Housing Navigator provides intensive case management for those enrolled in Rapid rehousing (RRH) services. This limited referral based service allows for clients to a close The housing navigator will work intensively with clients that are going into housing working with the client to make sure the housing is safe and sustainable. They will also walk alongside participants as they create and achieve realistic and attainable goals that honor the participant’s individual identity, like building life skills such as grocery shopping or maintaining a clean and organized life and home with the ultimate intention of supporting the young person to thrive socially, emotionally and physically!
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 cannot take your call right away, she will get back to you.
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To contact the Bilingual System Navigator, TaMaya Travis, email tamayat@lgbtoutreach.org or call 608-255-8582. OutReach offices are open M-F 12-7. If she cannot 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 cannot 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 cannot take your call right away, he will get back to you.
EverStrong Drop-In Center
The EverStrong program will have its own Drop-In Center in the same building as OutReach (2701 International Lane, Madison, WI 53704), Suite 100. Open Tuesday-Friday 10a-6p
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The Drop-In Center’s purpose is the have place where youth and young adults in community can have a place where they can gain access to resources. That may be access to their System or Housing Navigators, a computer lab to complete rental or job applications or for fun. They can also come here to relax or attend classes help by staff or outside providers.
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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.
