Our Story

Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adult women overcome the challenges of drug and alcohol addiction. We know how difficult it can be to break free from life-controlling issues, so we offer residential addiction treatment centers that focus on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

Our Christ-centered approach to recovery provides a long-term, supportive environment where women can heal and grow. The program includes daily education, counseling, mentoring, spiritual guidance, and vocational training designed to equip women with the tools they need to build a brighter future. In a safe and encouraging space, we help each woman rediscover her purpose and embrace a fulfilling life rooted in God’s love and grace.

Founded in 1983, Great Lakes Women’s Rehab, a part of Adult & Teen Challenge, has had the privilege of helping hundreds of women find their relationship with Christ and a path to recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism.

Today, we serve up to 30 women daily—providing rehabilitation, occupational training, biblical teaching, personal mentoring, and more.

Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge’s culture is one of responsibility. At our addiction treatment centers in Milwaukee, we firmly believe that holding ourselves accountable for our actions leads us to understand our need for God’s help. With the hope and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can all be transformed into the people that God intends us to be.

 
 About Great Lakes Women’s Rehab

General Info
Program Name	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab
Program Details	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab, part of Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge, is a long-term, Christ-centered residential recovery program for adult women. The program helps women address addiction, substance abuse, mental health challenges, past trauma, and other life-controlling issues through a holistic approach that includes counseling, education, mentoring, spiritual guidance, vocational training, life skills development, and supportive community living.
Founder	Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge was established as part of the Teen Challenge movement, which was founded by Rev. David Wilkerson in 1958.
Founding Date	1983
Contact Information
Location	Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Website	https://greatlakeswomensrehab.com
Telephone	414-748-4357
Address	727 North 31st Street, Milwaukee, WI 53225
Organization Information
Is the program currently licensed?	No. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge is not a licensed addiction treatment facility. It is a long-term, Christ-centered residential recovery program that has helped thousands of men and women find freedom from addiction and other life-controlling issues.
What type of license does it hold?	Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge does not hold a clinical addiction treatment license. It operates as a Christ-centered residential recovery ministry.
Does the license cover therapeutic or clinical healthcare services?	No. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge does not hold a license covering therapeutic or clinical healthcare services. The program provides long-term, Christ-centered residential recovery support rather than licensed clinical treatment.
Accreditations	Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge does not currently hold clinical or healthcare accreditations. The program operates as a Christ-centered residential recovery ministry rather than a licensed clinical treatment facility.
Strengths	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides a long-term, holistic, Christ-centered residential recovery environment for adult women facing addiction, mental health challenges, past trauma, and other life-controlling issues. The program includes counseling, education, mentorship, spiritual guidance, vocational training, life skills development, and supportive community living.
Religious Affiliation	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is a non-denominational Christian program. Christian faith, biblical principles, spiritual growth, mentoring, and developing a relationship with Christ are integrated throughout the recovery program.
Other Affiliations	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is part of Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge, which is affiliated with the broader Adult & Teen Challenge ministry.
Reference Checks	Information about reference check requirements is not currently provided. Mandatory admission documents include a picture ID, Social Security card or proof of application, required medical paperwork and test results, a medical insurance card if applicable, and a Green Card for non-citizen permanent residents.
Site Visits	Contact Great Lakes Women’s Rehab admissions for current information about site visits and tours.
Length of Stay	The Great Lakes Women’s Rehab residential program is approximately one year in length.
Enrollment Period(s)	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab accepts admissions year-round.
Target Population
Ages	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab serves adult women ages 18 and older.
Gender(s)	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is a residential recovery program specifically for adult women.
Ideal For	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is designed for adult women seeking help with addiction and other life-controlling issues, including substance abuse, anxiety, depression, past trauma, unhealthy relationships, and destructive patterns. The long-term residential program provides counseling, addiction education, mentoring, spiritual support, vocational training, community support, and practical life skills to support recovery and personal transformation.
Program Structure
Clinical Expertise	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab uses a four-phase residential recovery program. Phase One: Recovery (14 weeks) – Identifying destructive thoughts and acquiring tools for positive change. Phase Two: Renewal (12 weeks) – Healing from past failures and mending relationships. Phase Three: Restoration (12 weeks) – Building a foundation for a life free from addiction. Phase Four: Transition (12 weeks) – Preparing for reintegration into society with confidence.
Program Design	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab uses a holistic approach that addresses spiritual, emotional, physical, social, and educational needs. Spiritually, the program emphasizes strengthening a new life with Christ. Emotionally, women work toward healing past hurts through faith, counseling, mentoring, and learning. Physically, the residential environment provides safety, nutrition, structure, and drug-free living. Socially, women develop skills for rebuilding relationships and interacting with others in healthy ways. Educationally, participants receive practical tools for relapse prevention, personal growth, and successful transition after the program.
Specialized Focus	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab focuses on helping adult women address addiction and other life-controlling issues through a long-term, Christ-centered residential program. The program combines counseling, mentoring, spiritual guidance, education, vocational training, community support, and practical life skills to support recovery and personal transformation.
Trauma-Specific Tools	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab supports women who have experienced trauma through counseling, education, mentoring, spiritual support, supportive community living, and vocational training. These components are intended to help women address past experiences and work toward healing and recovery.
Trauma-Informed Care?	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab uses trauma-informed care principles by recognizing how past trauma can affect women and providing a safe, supportive residential environment. Counseling, mentoring, education, spiritual support, and community are used to help women address past experiences while developing healthier patterns for the future.
Community Focus	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab emphasizes supportive community living as part of the residential recovery program. Women live and learn alongside others facing similar challenges, with opportunities to develop supportive relationships, practice communication and accountability, encourage one another, and build healthier interpersonal skills.
Special Activities
Special Activities	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides structured activities that support spiritual growth, personal development, recovery, community involvement, and practical life skills. Activities may include Bible study, devotional time, mentoring, vocational training, life skills development, community responsibilities, and other structured program activities.
Team Sports	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify organized team sports as a specific part of its residential recovery program
Individual Sports	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify organized team sports as a specific part of its residential recovery program
Clubs	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify traditional clubs as part of its residential recovery program. The program instead provides structured group activities focused on spiritual growth, mentoring, community, vocational development, and practical life skills.
Academics and Training
Academic Support	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify a formal academic program or academic support services. The residential program focuses on recovery education, spiritual development, life skills, mentoring, and vocational training.
Classroom Type	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify a formal academic program or academic support services. The residential program focuses on recovery education, spiritual development, life skills, mentoring, and vocational training.
State Licensed Teachers?	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify state-licensed teachers as part of its residential recovery program. The program focuses on recovery education, mentoring, spiritual development, life skills, and vocational training rather than a traditional academic school program.
Diplomas Given?	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify a high school diploma or academic degree program as part of its residential recovery program.
Credits Transferable?	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify an academic credit program or transferable academic credits as part of its residential recovery program.
Life Skills Training	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides life skills training to help women prepare for everyday responsibilities and greater independence. Training includes communication, healthy relationships, personal responsibility, job readiness, decision-making, and other practical skills that support long-term recovery and successful transition after the residential program.
Work Training	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides vocational training and practical work experience to help women develop job skills, responsibility, a strong work ethic, and greater independence in preparation for employment and life after the program.
Therapies and Support Services
Individual Counseling	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides individual counseling and mentoring as part of its long-term, Christ-centered residential recovery program. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge is not a licensed clinical treatment provider, and this counseling should not be considered licensed clinical or therapeutic healthcare services. Individual support focuses on addiction recovery, past hurts, unhealthy patterns, relationships, spiritual growth, and personal development.
Group Sessions	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides group-based counseling, mentoring, recovery education, and spiritual support as part of its residential program. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge is not a licensed clinical treatment provider, and these group sessions are not licensed clinical therapy or healthcare services. Group activities focus on recovery, personal growth, accountability, relationships, spiritual development, and supportive community.
Evidence-Based Methods	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not provide licensed clinical or evidence-based addiction treatment. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge is not a licensed clinical treatment provider. The program instead uses a long-term, Christ-centered recovery approach that includes counseling, mentoring, recovery education, spiritual guidance, structured residential living, vocational training, life skills development, and supportive community.
Family Therapy	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify licensed family therapy as part of its residential program. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge is not a licensed clinical treatment provider. The program may support rebuilding healthy family relationships as part of the recovery process, but this should not be considered licensed family therapy or clinical healthcare services.
Equine Assisted	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify equine-assisted activities or equine therapy as part of its residential recovery program.
Animal Assisted	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not currently identify animal-assisted activities or animal-assisted therapy as part of its residential recovery program.
Experiential Activities	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab provides hands-on experiences through vocational training, life skills development, community responsibilities, mentoring, and structured residential activities. These experiences help women develop responsibility, practical skills, healthy relationships, personal growth, and greater independence as part of the recovery process.
Holistic Approach	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab uses a holistic, Christ-centered approach that addresses spiritual, emotional, physical, social, educational, and practical areas of a woman’s life. The residential program combines counseling, mentoring, recovery education, spiritual guidance, structured living, supportive community, vocational training, and life skills development to support recovery and personal growth. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge is not a licensed clinical treatment provider, and its services are not a substitute for licensed clinical or therapeutic healthcare.
Family Involvement	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab believes it is important for residents to focus on their recovery without unnecessary distractions while also recognizing the importance of family encouragement during the recovery process. Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge provides Family Days once a month, giving families an opportunity to connect with and encourage their loved ones. Contact admissions for more information about Family Days and family involvement during the program.
Aftercare Planning	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab prepares women for life after the residential program through transition planning, life skills development, vocational training, relapse-prevention education, spiritual growth, and personal responsibility. The goal is to help residents develop practical tools and healthy patterns that support continued recovery and greater independence after completing the program. Contact admissions for more information about transition and aftercare planning.
Cost
Estimated Cost	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is designed to provide a low-cost residential recovery option, with program costs kept lower in part through community donations and support. Specific costs may vary based on current program policies. Contact admissions for current pricing, fees, and payment information.
Financial Assistance	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab is designed to remain a low-cost residential recovery program, with community support and donations helping reduce program costs. Financial assistance may be available depending on individual circumstances and current program resources. Contact admissions to discuss current financial assistance and payment options.
Insurance	Great Lakes Women’s Rehab does not use medical insurance to cover the cost of its residential recovery program. Residents who have medical insurance should provide their insurance information for incidental medical needs that may arise while enrolled in the program. Contact admissions for current information about program costs, insurance, and payment requirements.

Timothy Hill’s Dream: