Our History

On December 10, 2001, a group of Milwaukee central city residents and supporters issued a public announcement establishing Serenity Inns, Inc.  The project was born out of concern for parishioners and clergy in five Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations within the geographical heart of the city's drug trafficking area.

Serenity Inns provides two Residential Treatment facilities, the first at 2825 W. Brown Street in Milwaukee was purchased in May 2002, admitting their first resident two years later, and a second built at 2830 W. Brown Street in 2024.  In addition, a 9-unit apartment building named the Buehler Alumni House was purchased in 2016 to serve as a home for graduates of the program, providing affordable housing through drug and alcohol-free community living.

Our mission is to empower men struggling with substance use disorder by offering a holistic treatment program focused on compassion, healing, and personal growth while fostering a compassionate community of accountability, guiding them on their journey to recovery.

- www.serenityinns.org

How YOU Can Help Serenity Inns

Attend Dinner Fellowship/Provide A Meal

Dinner Fellowship gives UNITY members the opportunity to make and serve a meal for 12 residents of the program.  It gives our volunteers a chance to interact with the residents and hear their stories as well as gives residents an opportunity to socialize with individuals outside of the inn.  UNITY makes and delivers a meal to the men of Serenity Inns on the first Sunday and second Friday of the month.  For more details as well as sign up to make the meal and/or delivery and dinner fellowship click on this SignUpGenius link.

Attend Celebration of Recovery Event

Join us at Serenity Inns’ Annual Celebration of Recovery Event.  This year it will be held on Thursday, September 18, at 5 pm at the Italian Community Center in Milwaukee.  RSVP online at serenityinns.org/events.  As in years past, UNITY will cover half of the cost per person (approximately $125), so notify Servant Advocate Brian Flynn (see below) when you have registered.  This special events features a Silent Auction and Raffle, followed by Dinner.  Evening highlights also include a well-known, local Master of Ceremonies, Serenity Inns Resident, Alumnus of the Year, and Community Partner Recognition.

Provide Gifts Through UNITY's Angel Trees

“Angel Trees” at our COL and CTK campuses are an easy way to give at Christmastime.  Each tree is adorned with tags for small thank you gifts for staff and residents at our partner ministries, as well as presents for kids at our partner churches.  Angel Trees are typically adorned with tags by Advent Fest (first Friday in December), with wrapped and labeled gifts due by mid-December.