A Safe Place II

Pros

• The place saved his life and gave him a new way to live and appreciate the help offered.
• It is a very peaceful environment.
• It is a great place for help, and they really care.
• The facility helped him get on his feet when he was down.
• Andy and his parents are willing to help as long as individuals are willing to help themselves.
• Our Safe Place, along with UCC, has saved his life.
• Andy Liss is an awesome, kind, and caring person who goes above and beyond to help others.
• Many men have gotten clean and gone on to lead successful lives.
• The Liss family, including Cotton, provides substantial help and support.
• It is a great place to start over and to transition back into the community.

Cons

• Not a great place because a resident kidnapped a woman and held her hostage for days, and others did nothing to help.
• It sits in Milwaukee's drug-central area - a bad location.
• The neighborhood is bad, which is a major drawback.
• There have been overdoses among residents over the years.

Review

Across these accounts, one thread is unmistakable: this is a place that people credit with saving their lives and giving them a concrete path to a new beginning. Several reviewers speak with personal gratitude about how their time there helped them find sobriety and stability. One person celebrates four years clean and expresses confident optimism for many more to come, thanking Andy personally for the support that made that possible. Others describe waking up to a quieter, more peaceful way of living, a tone of peace that stands out in contrast to the turmoil that recovery often begins with.

The environment itself is repeatedly described as nurturing and caring, even as it sits in a challenging setting. Reviewers call it a very peaceful place and a great resource, noting that the people there truly care about how their residents are doing. There is a sense of balance between compassion and accountability - this is a sober-living space that aims to be a supportive home while also pushing individuals to take responsibility for their recovery. Some comments acknowledge the tough realities of the surrounding neighborhood, specifically that Milwaukee's drug activity is concentrated nearby, but still emphasize that the location does not diminish the strength of the program or the kindness of the staff.

Central to these testimonies are Andy Liss and his family, who are repeatedly described as devoted, generous, and endlessly willing to help. They are portrayed as fundamental to the success stories people share, with many acknowledging that Andy will go above and beyond when someone is willing to do the work themselves. The collaboration with Our Safe Place and with UCC is highlighted as part of a broader network that has saved lives and given residents access to resources, guidance, and a path toward independence. Residents emphasize that the key requirement is willingness to participate and to put in the effort to recover; the message rings clear - Our Safe Place can be a lifeline when someone is ready to commit to their recovery.

The impact going beyond individual stories is equally compelling. Reviewers describe how the program helps people get back on their feet after treatment or jail, acting as a bridge to reintegrate into the community. There are stories of getting clean, of regaining custody or being able to have kids returned to their care, and of building a stable routine in a safer environment. The emphasis on recovery as a communal effort is strong: "helping people comes first" is a sentiment that surfaces repeatedly, underscoring a culture that prioritizes the well-being of residents and the wider community. In several comments, people mirror this sentiment with personal milestones - a few years of sobriety, transitions back into family life, and continued engagement with the program over many years.

Even as the overall tone is overwhelmingly positive, the reviews do not shy away from acknowledging a troubling moment. One reviewer recounts a violent incident involving a kidnapping and stabbing, noting that help did not come when it should have and that the immediate response from others nearby was inadequate. This stark caution stands alongside the other endorsements, painting a more nuanced portrait of a place that holds promise for many while also existing within a real and imperfect world. The contrast invites readers to weigh the broader patterns of care and safety alongside isolated failures, reminding us that recovery environments are not immune to tragedy or missteps.

Alongside these reflections, several residents emphasize how long they have stayed and what that longevity signifies. There are testimonials of people living there for extended periods - six months, ten years, even longer - who describe the living space as a stable platform from which to launch major life changes. One reviewer speaks of being there for more than a decade by choice, another notes a multi-year stretch of sobriety aided by the community, and others celebrate continued presence as a sign of genuine transformation. The repeated affirmation that this is a place to "start over" or to rebuild one's life reinforces the sense that, for many, Our Safe Place offers more than shelter: it provides structure, accountability, and hope.

In sum, the collection of experiences presents a powerful portrait of a recovery community centered on action, care, and connection. The testimonies celebrate life-changing sobriety, meaningful progress toward personal goals, and the steady, compassionate leadership of Andy Liss and his family, supported by a broader network of people and organizations. The message is clear and resonant: when someone is ready to commit to their recovery, the environment described here can be a crucial partner in that journey, helping residents navigate the challenges of a difficult neighborhood while building a safer, healthier life for themselves and their families.

This area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin offers a mix of amenities and conveniences that may appeal to seniors looking for a comfortable and accessible neighborhood. With several places of worship nearby, including Redemption Lutheran Church and Honey Creek Church, residents can easily maintain their spiritual practices. There are also various dining options such as Shark's Fish & Chicken, Checkers, and several McDonald's locations for convenient meal choices. Additionally, multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS are in close proximity for easy access to medications. For healthcare needs, hospitals like Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus and Aurora Psychiatric Hospital are within a few miles. Transportation services like U-Haul Moving & Storage offer convenience for those who may need assistance with moving or transportation. Parks such as Hoyt Park and Algonquin Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation in nature. Overall, this area provides a range of services and facilities that can contribute to a comfortable and fulfilling senior living experience.

Places of Worship

• Redemption Lutheran Church (0.9 miles)
• Northwest Baptist Church (1.5 miles)
• Honey Creek Church (5 miles)

Restaurants

• Shark's Fish & Chicken (1 miles)
• Checkers (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)
• Culver's (3.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Wheaton Franciscan - St. Joseph Campus (2.7 miles)
• Ambulatory EEG Recordings (3.6 miles)
• Aurora Psychiatric Hospital (4.3 miles)
• Froedtert Pavilion (4.7 miles)
• Rogers Memorial Hospital (5.7 miles)
• Aurora Sinai Medical Center (6 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (2.9 miles)

Physicians

• Aurora Advanced Healthcare (3.1 miles)
• Aurora Nephrology (3.9 miles)
• Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group (4.3 miles)
• Froedtert Hospital (4.8 miles)
• Froedtert Clinical Cancer Center (4.8 miles)
• Aurora Health Center (5 miles)
• Rheumatic Disease Center (5.3 miles)

Parks

• Hoyt Park (3.8 miles)
• Algonquin Park (3.9 miles)
• Wil-O-Way Underwood Park (4.2 miles)
• Brown Deer Park (4.5 miles)
• Estabrook Park (5 miles)
• A C Hanson Park (5.3 miles)
• Elm Grove Village Park (5.7 miles)