Getting Outdoors
Get outdoors, go exercise, and explore the city. Enjoy the crisp fall weather by walking, biking or hiking with the following resources:
Use the Interactive Bike Map to find biking directions using only streets that are comfortable to bike
Explore Milwaukee area trails like the Beerline, KK River, and Oak Leaf Trail
Cut Costs with Energy Upgrades
The Milwaukee Energy Efficiency Program offers a low-interest loan up to $15,000 for eligible home improvements to make energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, air sealing, furnaces, boilers, hot water heaters, air conditioners, and windows. Save money wasted on high energy bills and put them into energy-saving home improvements. omeowners who have had their home inspected, insulated, and air sealed through Me2 have averaged a 30% reduction in energy use.
Get Connected With Housing Help
The City of Milwaukee Housing Help Tool offers a variety of resources and incentive programs to help current homeowners, home buyers, investors and non-profit organizations.
Select options to filter available resources, learn more about city houses and properties available for sale, homebuyer counseling, grants, loan programs, and other incentives.
Shelter from the Cold
Please know there are services available to anyone seeking a warm and safe place to shelter as the weather turns colder. Individuals should call 2-1-1 for information and support. As the lead agency for the Milwaukee Continuum of Care, the City of Milwaukee partners with Community Advocates, the Milwaukee County Housing Division, Pathfinders and Outreach Community Health Centers to proactively shelter individuals from the cold.
Learn more about IMPACT 2-1-1, a central access point for people in need.
City of Milwaukee residents may rake leaves into the street from October 1 through November 15.
No special request for leaf collection is necessary from Oct. 1st – Nov. 15th. Leaf collection operations cycle through the city systematically. Once leaf rake out ends on Nov 15, the Department of Public Works makes one final collection sweep across the City. To be collected, ensure that leaves have been raked out by Nov. 15.
At all other times of the year, leaves must be mulched on the property or taken to a Drop Off Center.
Brush collection can also be requested from April-November.
Fnd More Collection Details
Green Tips:
ECO tip to composting: An alternative to this service is leaf mulching, or shredding leaves with a lawn mower to allow the nutrients to return right to the soil.
ECO pollution tip: Fallen leaves are loaded with nitrogen and phosphorous, natural fertilizer that can cause water pollution that harms people and animals. Help prevent pollution by properly managing yard waste. Also, be sure leaves left near the road do not block storm drains and prevent the flow of water.
Healthy Resources for Parents and Families
View resources from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) including routine childhood vaccinations, healthcare & dental resources, resources for health-related conditions, staying healthy and active, healthy social behavior, mental health resources, resources on substance use, and support and self-care resources for families and guardians.
While seasonal influenza (flu) viruses are detected year-round in the United States, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and sometimes the lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.
The most important step in protecting yourself and those around you from the flu is to get your flu shot. Everyone 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, ideally by the end of October.
Milwaukee Health Department clinics will have flu vaccines available at:
Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Rd.)
- Wednesday:s 3 - 6 p.m.
- Fridays: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Southside Health Center (1639 S. 23rd St.)
- Mondays: 3 - 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Free Mental Health Resources
World Mental Health Day is October 10
- Mental Health Emergency Center: The Mental Health Emergency Center (MHEC) is the new county-wide psychiatric Emergency Department offering 24/7/365 crisis mental health assessment, stabilization, treatment, and transition care management for children, adolescents and adults. 1525 N. 12th Street, Milwaukee WI 53205. Call 414-966-3030.
- Access Clinics: Serves uninsured Milwaukee County residents. Provides mental health assessments, medications and therapy referrals. Clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis, and there may be an extended wait time. Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Walk-in hours for initial assessment: 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Access Clinic South: 1635 W. National Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53204. Call 414-257-7900.
- Access Clinic East: 210 W. Capitol Dr., Milwaukee, WI 53212. Call 414-257-7665.
- NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness – Southeast Wisconsin: Provides information and referrals for appropriate resources, support groups and advocacy services related to mental health. Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Call 414-344-0447.
- Pathfinders: Provides comprehensive mental health care and support for children, teens and young adults who cannot afford services elsewhere. Also provides specific counseling for young victims of sexual abuse. Call for more information or to schedule an appointment. A sliding fee scale is available. 4200 N. Holton Street - Suite 400. Call 414-964-2565.
- Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center: Free and confidential counseling services with a focus on runaways, homeless and other youth and their families. Provides 24/7 crisis hotline, family and parent counseling, individual and group counseling, referrals and emergency shelter for runaways and youths in crisis. 2030 W. National Ave. call 414-647-8200.
- Warmline: Peer-run support line for those with mental illness. This is not a crisis line. Call 414 777-4729.
Healthy Resources for Parents and Families
View resources from Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) including routine childhood vaccinations, healthcare & dental resources, resources for health-related conditions, staying healthy and active, healthy social behavior, mental health resources, resources on substance use, and support and self-care resources for families and guardians.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) 
This month brings together advocates from across the nation together to end domestic violence.
Domestic violence (DV) and/or intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pattern of behaviors used by one’s partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. DV/IPV can happen to anyone at any point in a relationship – it is not bound by gender identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or any other form of identity. While this holds true, some individuals are impacted at a disproportionate rate such as women and BIPOC individuals. Domestic and intimate partner violence ranges a large set of behaviors that physically, mentally, or emotionally cause harm and fear making the affected individual behave differently and in ways that they do not want.
Office of Community Wellness and Safety
The City of Milwaukee’s Office of Community Wellness and Sfaety's core mission is to reduce violence in Milwaukee. OCWS's aim is to stop violence before it starts. Community-wide prevention is the most effective, long-term solution to violence. OCWS brings together agencies, experts, and community resources on efforts that reduce many forms of violence including domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Learn more about the OCSW's approach and definitions for domestic violence.
View Domestic Violence Resources
Daylight Savings Time
Don’t forget! Daylight Saving Time ends the first Sunday in November.
On Sunday, November 5, turn your clocks back one hour.
As the saying goes: “Spring forward, fall back.”
2024 Upcoming Election Dates:
- Spring Primary - Tuesday, February 20
- Spring Election - Tuesday, April 2
- Fall Primary - Tuesday, August 13
- General Election - Tuesday, November 5
Check the schedule to see when and where you can cast your vote early.
Enter your address to find your Election Day polling location and view your sample ballot and elected officials.
Follow one of these steps to register to vote today!