For us, the Milwaukee Rescue Mission isn’t just a workplace. It’s a calling.
For over 40 years and across generations, our family has been dedicated to serving Milwaukee’s most vulnerable. While the faces and needs have changed, one thing remains true: we can’t do this work alone.
That’s why our partnership with Catalyst Construction has been so transformational.
When you’re in the nonprofit world, every dollar counts and every decision carries weight. We’ve worked with a number of partners over the years, but Catalyst stands apart, not just in what they build, but in how they build alongside you.
A True Partnership
When we were first planning to build our school campus, Cross Trainers Academy, we put the project out to bid. Catalyst wasn’t just another construction firm in the mix; they came in with vision, integrity, and heart.
From day one, it felt like our mission became their mission.
It’s not just fluff. We saw it in how they operated, from value engineering that saved us tens of thousands of dollars to their willingness to sit with us in the details that others might consider outside their scope.
Catalyst didn’t just construct buildings; they created possibilities. Whether it was Matt Burow suggesting a polished concrete floor to save money and improve maintenance, or reconfiguring building layouts to create safer and more inviting spaces for our students, their team infused every decision with creativity and compassion.
That first project laid the foundation for a partnership that has spanned years and multiple campuses.
Designing for Dignity
Over the years, we’ve collaborated with Catalyst on multiple major projects, including the complete remodel of our men’s division, which prioritizes dignity and hospitality for our shelter guests.
They helped us rethink what it means to create space for healing. Today, every man has a place of his own, with privacy, a charging station, and a locker.
These aren’t just construction details; they’re design choices that restore dignity.
Even when challenges arose, like when prefabricated furniture wouldn’t fit under our existing ceiling, they didn’t blink. Their team, alongside our volunteers, found a solution that not only worked but made the space even better.
That’s the kind of partner they are: flexible, inventive, and always focused on the end goal. Because of these thoughtful choices, we were able to avoid construction delays, which allowed us to open the doors to the new space in a timely manner, serving our community as soon as possible.
Beyond Blueprints
Catalyst isn’t just a contractor; they’re community builders.
They’ve walked with us through fundraising challenges, grant compliance, and even new market tax credit processes.
We’ve been amazed at how far they go to help us navigate what’s often an overwhelming process for nonprofits. They’ve hosted job fairs, thought through long-term sustainability, and made sure every project honors our purpose.
We’ve come to trust not only Matt, who now serves on our board and volunteers at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission with his family, but the entire Catalyst team.
Their values are consistent, and their culture is strong. Whether we’re talking with someone in leadership or project management, the same heart shows up every time.
Project: Milwaukee Rescue Mission Cross Trainers
A Shared Calling
At the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, we serve some of the most underserved populations in Milwaukee, people struggling with homelessness, addiction, and violence.
Our school sits in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the country. We’ve lost students to gun violence off campus. And yet, amid that hardship, we’ve created safe places filled with hope.
Catalyst helped make those spaces possible. They helped us build a campus that is secure without feeling like a fortress, where children can learn and grow, where families can heal, and where men can find dignity and a fresh start.
Catalyst Construction: A Partnership That Builds More Than Buildings
As we look to develop a third campus focused on addiction recovery, there’s no question who we’ll call. This will be an exceptionally ambitious project, a beacon of hope for those seeking freedom from addiction, and Catalyst is exactly the partner we trust to help bring it to life.
We’ve often said that Catalyst operates from the heart.
That’s not a phrase we use lightly. In a world where the bottom line often drives construction, Catalyst chooses to be about something more. For them, just as for us, it’s a calling.
To learn more about the Milwaukee Rescue Mission and how you can support their work, visit milmission.org.
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