Magdalene Home in Baraboo, WI

Pros

• The Hope House provides essential support during difficult times.
• Dani is very sweet and helpful.
• The Hope House is a source of gratitude for those it serves.
• The management is excellent.
• The staff are incredibly caring.
• The place and its staff are lovely.
• They welcome donations.
• The experience was excellent.
• Whitney provided unwavering support during a difficult time.
• The place is filled with love, concern, and compassion.

Cons

• They were told there was a room and drove an hour to the area only to discover there wasn't any room.
• They felt out of place because the rooms were small and had bunk beds, and the open layout of the kitchen and living room contributed to that discomfort.
• They felt it wasn't the right fit for them.

Review

Magdalene Home in Baraboo, WI is best suited for families and individuals who need immediate shelter combined with practical advocacy and hands-on support during a crisis. The community earns its strength from a responsive management team and a staff that consistently demonstrates care, empathy, and a readiness to step in when pressure points spike. Those facing domestic abuse or other family crises will find a network of resources - court accompaniment, guardianship help, and access to donation-driven basics - that translates into real, tangible relief. It functions as a safety net built to help people move from crisis to stability, rather than a place for long-term, independent living.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include anyone prioritizing guaranteed bed availability, larger private spaces, or on-site medical oversight. The facility can exhibit scheduling quirks - initial room availability is not always guaranteed, and some stories describe arriving after a long drive only to learn a room isn't ready. The living spaces themselves trend toward openness and compact private areas, with rooms noted as small and sometimes configured with bunk beds. For families seeking pronounced privacy, quiet study areas, or more conventional apartment-style living, other options may better fit the expectations and daily rhythms required.

The strongest asset at Magdalene Home is the caliber of its people. Management is described as excellent, and the staff as remarkably caring and resource-rich. Clients repeatedly underscore the practical benefits: attentive help during difficult periods, proactive check-ins, and a willingness to go beyond the basics to support legal steps and court involvement. The ability to mobilize community resources quickly - donating items, coordinating support for children, and connecting people to broader networks - creates a sense of containment and hope when circumstances feel overwhelming. This isn't a place that offers only shelter; it offers navigation through complexity.

On the downside, the layout and room configurations can sap some of the appeal for those who need more privacy or personal space. The open common areas and small private rooms can feel crowded, and the occasional misalignment between expectation and actual availability can add stress at a vulnerable moment. These drawbacks don't erase the benefits of strong leadership and compassionate staffing, but they do narrow the target audience. Families with older children who require more separate space, or individuals who anticipate needing quiet zones for work or study, will want to assess whether Magdalene Home's environment supports those needs.

The pros - the dependable management, the deeply caring staff, and the wide-ranging supportive resources - substantially offset the cons for a large segment of crises-driven households. When crisis resolution and practical assistance are the primary goals, this community excels at delivering results: superior advocacy, timely connections to legal and social supports, and an empathetic culture that treats clients with dignity. The willingness to check in, accompany clients in difficult moments, and help with everyday barriers translates into progress that can feel transformative after a period of instability. The social capital built through donations and community engagement also softens financial and logistical pressures for families in transition.

For decision-makers, Magdalene Home represents a clear first option when immediate shelter converges with active advocacy and hands-on help. It is especially compelling for those who value a trustworthy leadership team and a staff willing to "go the extra mile" to secure resources and navigate legal or family-system challenges. Those who prioritize ultra-private spaces, guaranteed bed certainty, or on-site medical or therapeutic programs should carefully compare alternatives. In any case, prospective residents should reach out early to confirm bed status, inquire about privacy accommodations, and clarify the scope of available advocacy services to ensure alignment with current needs.

This part of Baraboo, Wisconsin, offers a vibrant and convenient community for seniors looking to settle down. With a variety of cafes, restaurants, and pharmacies within close proximity, residents can easily access essential services and amenities. Places of worship like the First Presbyterian Church and St Joseph Catholic Church provide spiritual support, while nearby hospitals such as St Clare Hospital and SSM Health Urgent Care ensure quality healthcare options. Additionally, the area boasts scenic parks like Devil's Lake State Park and Man Mound Park for outdoor recreation opportunities. For entertainment, seniors can visit AMC Desert Star 15 theater or explore transportation options at Murphys Taxidermy. With a mix of essential services and recreational activities available, this neighborhood in Baraboo provides a comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle for seniors.

Cafes

• The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (0.1 miles)
• Starbucks (7.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Jen's Alpine Cafe & Soup Kitchen (0.1 miles)
• Baraboo Burger Company (0.2 miles)
• Brothers On Oak (0.2 miles)
• Gem City Saloon & Eatery (0.4 miles)
• Driftless Glen Distillery (0.4 miles)
• Jose's Authentic Mexican Restaurant (0.6 miles)
• Peking Buffet (1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Home Town Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• Corner Drug Store (0.2 miles)
• Corner Drug Store (0.8 miles)
• Home Town Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• House Of Wellness Pharmacy (4.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Presbyterian Church (0.2 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church (0.3 miles)
• Ten Commandments Ministries (0.8 miles)
• Valley of Our Lady Monastery (8.9 miles)
• Pine Valley Church N (10.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Baraboo VA Outpatient Clinic (0.7 miles)
• Therapy Services at SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Baraboo (0.8 miles)
• St Clare Hospital (0.8 miles)
• St Clare Health Care Foundation (0.8 miles)
• SSM Health Urgent Care (0.8 miles)
• St Clare Center (0.8 miles)

Physicians

• Baraboo Internal Medicine (0.8 miles)
• Dean Health Systems (0.8 miles)
• Dean Health System (0.8 miles)
• Wisconsin Dells Eye Clinic (8.6 miles)
• Waters Center for Biological Medicine (10.3 miles)
• Waters Integrative Health Center (10.3 miles)
• Dean Clinic (10.7 miles)

Parks

• Devil's Lake State Park (2.6 miles)
• Man Mound Park (3.7 miles)
• Lower Narrows State Natural Area (5.1 miles)
• Pewit's Nest State Natural Area (5.9 miles)
• Mirror Lake State Park (7 miles)
• Indian Lake State Park (8.9 miles)
• Kiddy Land (10.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Desert Star 15 (7.1 miles)

Transportation

• Murphys Taxidermy (7.4 miles)