Save Parachute House: Support Mental Health

Since February of 2019, The Parachute House Peer Run Respite has been a lifeline for individuals struggling with mental health crises—providing a safe, supportive space where people can heal, connect, and regain stability without the fear of hospitalization.

In 2024 alone, Parachute House provided over 230 (7-day stay) respite stays and took over 5,136 warmline calls, offering a compassionate, peer-driven alternative to emergency rooms and psychiatric hospitalization. Parachute House has served over 1,400 individuals in crisis and answered over 30,000 warmline calls.

Now, this critical resource is on the verge of shutting down. When Federal ARPA funding was abruptly cut, we had four guests actively staying at the respite and a fully booked schedule ahead. We were forced to reduce our staff and dig into our emergency funding to continue operating, diverting closing the doors on individuals in crisis.

Without urgent financial support, we will close permanently on June 30, 2025—leaving Wisconsin with one less essential mental health service and removing a key pillar of support for our community.

What Happens If We Close?

Closing a peer-run respite program may lead to significant negative consequences for the community, impacting access to person-centered crisis support, increasing the burden on traditional services (law enforcement, emergency hospitals, ambulance), and potentially hindering recovery efforts for individuals with mental health conditions.

A Devastating Gap in Mental Health Support – The Parachute House is one of the few peer-run respites in the state. Its closure means fewer options for people in crisis, pushing them toward costly ER visits, hospitalization, or worse—homelessness or incarceration.

Increased Suicides and Mental Health Crises – Peer-run respites prevent crises from escalating. Without this resource, people facing severe distress will have nowhere to turn.

Loss of a Critical Lifeline – Our warmline answered 5,136 calls in 2024—each one a moment where someone reached out for help instead of suffering alone. Without Parachute House, thousands will lose access to this vital peer support.

Peer Support Jobs Lost – Our dedicated peer staff, all with lived experience, provide nonjudgmental, compassionate support. If we close, these essential jobs disappear, and the ripple effect will be felt across the community.

How You Can Help - $273 per day per guest

We need to raise $100,000 (it cost 273 dollars a day per person per crisis stay) to continue operating for another 6 months while we seek long-term funding solutions. It is currently on the Governor’s budget to fund the respite, but we are waiting for budget approval and funds will not be distributed until late September. Every donation directly keeps the Parachute House open—funding respite stays, warmline services, and operational costs.

$273 = One guest daily supportive stay with resource connection

or one 24/7 hour warmline

$546 = Two guest daily supportive stays with resource connections

$1,911 = One guest weekly stay

Every Dollar Counts—Take Action Today!

With your help, we can stop this closure and protect this vital community resource. Please donate and share this campaign with friends, family, and organizations that believe in mental health support, harm reduction, and community care.

To donate please visit https://www.ourspaceinc.org/donate

or https://giveahand.com/fundraiser/parachute-house-peer-run-respite

Thank you for your support!