Calling Men Who Want to Make a Real Impact

Project RETURN is looking for MALE MENTORS to support men returning to the community. Mentor-volunteers will...
 • Meet a Resident on Day One of their reentry.
 • Consistently connect in-person with Resident throughout their journey.
 • Offer encouragement, leadership, and friendship.

No special training aside from lived incarceration experience needed. Just heart, consistency, and a willingness to show up.

Want to learn more or get involved? Email [email protected] or message us on Facebook.

Big things are happening!

​Following years of conversations, dreaming and diligent planning, Project RETURN for the first time in our 45-year history is directly provide housing to men facing homelessness as they exit incarceration.
Housing is a pre-eminent need for people returning from incarceration. 42% of the 2,500 individuals who return to Milwaukee County from prison annually are in need of stable housing. For many reasons, there are not enough homes available, leading to increased homelessness and recidivism.

In March, the first men moved into the 12 refurbished independent-living apartments Project RETURN manages at our new headquarters, in Downtown Milwaukee's redeveloped Historic Tenth Street Residences, 1004 N. 10th St.

This is a major step forward not only for our nonprofit, but for the whole community of Milwaukee. Here at Project RETURN, we believe Strong Reentry Equals Public Safety. That starts with ensuring individuals returning home have a safe place to live, and have a platform upon which they build a successful future.

Click here to learn more about this new initiative, and please consider supporting the mission​ in whatever way you can.

WATCH: Sam's story

"I wasn't sure what I was going to do (when I got released). I honestly was going to be homeless and probably back into the same cycle of stuff. But I got very lucky and ended up at Project RETURN," Sam shared on the day of his graduation from Project RETURN Bridge Housing in December 2025. "When I first came here, I thought it was going to be like another jail facility, and it was like more of a family ... Something that surprised me a lot was more doors opening for me. I was noticing I was on the right path."

Our Mission
Project RETURN (Returning Ex-incarcerated People To Urban Realities ​and Neighborhoods) exists to help individuals who have experienced incarceration make a positive, permanent return to community, family and friends.

Get up to date

Have you read our 2024 Annual Report yet?

INSIDE:
  • The stories of three men we've supported over the past year
  • A look ahead into our future
  • Meet our new team members
  • A report on our finances over the past year
  • Our 2024 impact by the numbers

​CLICK HERE to check out our 2024 Project RETURN Annual Report.
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Learn more about Project RETURN

What We Do

Project RETURN helps clients overcome barriers created by incarceration to help aid in a successful reentry, with programs offered to address the direct needs of those we serve.

Celebrate the RETURN

Every year, Project RETURN hosts a gala for all of its community members to come together in celebration of the ​organization's mission.

Volunteering with Us

​Project RETURN grew out of a volunteer base that people returning from incarceration deserved a second chance.  Volunteers are an essential part of the mission of Project RETURN. 

Meet our Team!