Courage MKE was co-founded by Brad and Nick Schlaikowski while they were foster parents. Together they welcomed multiple displaced LGBTQ+ youth into their home and learned of the children's stories of rejection, fear and survival. It is because of their tenacity, Brad and Nick started Courage MKE in their honor in December 2015. 

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Knowing they were starting from the ground up, Brad and Nick along with their amazing Board of Directors made it Courage MKE's mission to raise awareness within our communities of the rising number of LGBTQ+ youth in the social welfare system.