From Deep Roots, We Rise Up
Founded in 1850 in response to Milwaukee’s cholera epidemic, Wellpoint Care Network has spent more than 175 years evolving alongside the families and communities we serve.
1850s-1940s
From Orphanage to Residential Care
- Both St. Aemilian’s Orphan Asylum and the Milwaukee Orphans’ Asylum grew and evolved for more than 100 years in different locations throughout the city
- As the orphan population declined, both organizations reimagined their purpose
- Facilities transitioned from orphanages into residential care homes for boys
- The Milwaukee Orphans’ Asylum was officially renamed Lakeside Children’s Center in 1943
- Provided structured shelter and meeting children’s fundamental needs across generations
- A long track record of adapting to community need, not resting on past approaches
1950s-1980
A Whole-Child Model Emerges
- Both Saint Aemilian’s and Lakeside became residential treatment centers in 1963 and began treating children with severe emotional and mental health challenges
- First major reimagining of care: therapeutic treatment introduced into residential settings
- Shift from custodial care to therapeutic treatment for boys with emotional and mental health challenges
- Recognition that children needed healing, not just housing
- Laid the groundwork for the evidence-based, trauma-informed work that would follow
- Meanwhile in 1955, St. Aemilian’s completed construction on a 37-acre site located at 8901 W. Capitol Drive — the same facility that we still use today
1980s-2006
A Merged Organization, Broader Mission
- Milwaukee Orphan’s Asylum (Lakeside) and St. Aemilian’s merged into St. Aemilian-Lakeside, expanding the mission beyond facilities
- Grew to include community-based mental health, in-home family services, and foster care
- Care evolved from serving children to nurturing entire families — shifting focus from crisis response to prevention
- Helped define the community-based care model that is now standard practice in the field
2007-2016
SaintA & Trauma Informed Care
- In 2008, the organization began practicing Trauma Informed Care to help people heal from childhood adversity. This began our work in inclusion, belonging and self-healing communities
- Recognized that healing required addressing historical and generational trauma
- Rebranded as SaintA in 2014 to reflect an evolved identity and expanded scope
- Established the Five Pillars of Stability as an innovative framework to support children, youth and adults in the vital areas of Health, Education, Housing, Employment and Caring Connections
- Committed to transforming entire child- and family-serving systems, not just individual outcomes
2017-2021
Taking the Model Nationwide
- Launched consulting and training services to bring the TIC model to organizations across the country
- Reached over 80,000 professionals through training programs nationwide
- Closed all residential units — fully committing to community-based care over institutional care
- Began transforming the Capitol Drive campus into a community hub
2022-2024
Launching Wellpoint Care Network
- In 2022, launched our new name: Wellpoint Care Network — reflecting our evolution and commitment to wellness. Because Wellness is the Point of All We Do.
- Ongoing investment in trauma-informed models and training that multiply our impact across systems nationwide
- So long as children, families and the community need healing, we will continue to step up to meet those needs
- We’re creating pathways to a thriving tomorrow — for children, families and communities across Wisconsin
- Longtime President & CEO Ann Leinfelder Grove retires after 35 years of leadership. Her tenure is marked by her innovation with and integration of Trauma Informed Care, advancing a strategic vision to enhance Wellpoint Care’s partnerships in the community, and a commitment to a culture of inclusion and belonging
2025-Now
Building a Community Hub
- Reggie Newson becomes President and CEO, emphasizing a renewed focus on three areas: Building Opportunity, Strengthening Community, and Enriching Lives.
- We continue to transform our 18-acre campus into a dynamic community hub fostering connection, healing and wellness.
- We are establishing and strengthening partnerships with partner organizations and creating “one-stop-shop” for wellness.
