NEW BERLIN — The president of Milwaukee Rescue Mission is responding to growing opposition over a proposed residential addiction recovery facility in the city of New Berlin, defending both the program and its long-term impact.
In an April newsletter, Milwaukee Rescue Mission President Patrick Vanderburgh addressed concerns surrounding the organization’s plan to establish a permanent home for its New Journey program near Interstate 43 and Moorland Road.
The proposed facility would house a faithbased, voluntary residential program for men recovering from substance addiction. The program begins with a 28-day candidacy period, followed by a six-month residential commitment focused on counseling, education, job readiness, wellness and Christian mentoring.
If approved, the campus would operate 24/7, with most programming held weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Staffing is expected to grow from about 20 to 35 employees over several years, while resident participation would increase to approximately 110 men.
The site is zoned M1 Industrial, where religious institutions are a permitted use.
“For decades, New Journey has helped men break free from addiction through a voluntary, Christ-centered residential recovery program rooted in accountability, healing and life transformation,” Vanderburgh said in the newsletter. “By God’s grace and the generosity of donors like you through these many years, thousands of lives have been restored, families have reunited and hope has been renewed.”
Vanderburgh said the move would allow the organization to expand its reach, helping more men complete recovery, secure livable wage employment and reenter their communities with stability and purpose.
At the same time, he acknowledged the controversy surrounding the project.
“I want to acknowledge that this project has also faced some unexpected and, at times, disheartening opposition. Unfortunately, some of that opposition has included statements about the program and the Milwaukee Rescue Mission that are inflammatory and simply not true. We share this not to amplify division, but to be transparent with friends like you who have been such faithful partners in life transformation,” Vanderburgh said.
The newsletter also sought to clarify several points about the program including: New Journey is a six-month, voluntary Christian residential addiction recovery program.
Each participant undergoes a thorough application process, including in-depth background checks.
The facility is not a drop-in or homeless shelter.
The program is privately funded and not supported by government dollars.
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Operations include 24/7 staffing, structured rules and accountability, with participants living on campus.
“At its core, New Journey is about sharing God’s transforming love, helping men confront addiction, addressing underlying wounds, growing spiritually and preparing men for productive, independent lives,” Vanderburgh said. “Participants enjoy Christian fellowship and worship, biblical instruction and counseling, and mentoring and accountability. This is the same mission that has guided the Milwaukee Rescue Mission since 1893 and continues to shape every decision we make today.”
The organization said the program would remain fully privately funded.
“We do not accept federal funding so that we can remain fully aligned with our Christian mission,” he said.
Opposition
Despite those assurances, opposition to the project has grown in recent months.
On March 6, Milwaukee Rescue Mission filed a petition in Waukesha County Circuit Court asking a judge to deny an attempt to halt construction of the facility. A Change.org petition titled “Stop Milwaukee Rescue Mission expansion into New Berlin” raises concerns about increased traffic, public safety and potential impacts on property values.
In addition, a group called New Berlin Citizens United has appealed to the city’s Board of Appeals to overturn the Plan Commission’s approval of the project. The group filed grievances Jan. 7, arguing the proposed facility does not qualify as a religious institution under city zoning definitions.
The group responded to Vanderburgh’s newsletter in a Facebook post, expressing both support for addiction recovery efforts and concern about the project’s location.
“These type of facilities can and should exist. We agree with Milwaukee Rescue Mission’s commitment to helping those in need. However, social-welfare programs such as this should be born out of necessity, not imported into a suburban community that does not possess the municipal resources needed to accommodate such a large-scale program,” the group said.
The group also criticized the organization’s approach to community engagement.
“Milwaukee Rescue Mission chose not to engage with the community. They pushed this development in secrecy to avoid community input, acting completely in disregard to public opinion. New Journey currently serves 90% homeless men from Milwaukee. Whether or not a ‘homeless shelter,’ participants are from the same population. What is for certain; it is not a ‘church.’ No religious entity possesses the ‘Midas touch’ to legally build whatever, wherever, allowing them to transcend zoning laws and city planning. Suggesting this is an exploitation of religion,” the group said.