Milwaukee Wellness Department Spent $5.3 Million in 2025
The department allocated funds toward community wellness initiatives and alternative healing modalities last year.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Wellness
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In 2025, the Milwaukee Department of Community Wellness and Safety, formerly the Office of Violence Prevention, spent $5.3 million on various initiatives. These programs aimed to address community trauma and support local safety efforts.
Why it matters
The department operates under the clinical premise that alternative healing modalities can help regulate the nervous system of trauma survivors. By investing in these wellness strategies, the city seeks to foster community stability and reduce local violence.
In 2025, the department spent $5.3 million across several wellness areas, including $75,000 on sound bath and crystal healing services, $50,000 on martial arts, and $38,000 on yoga. The initiative remains a pilot-style approach to community health that has yet to undergo large-scale controlled outcomes studies.
The players
Karin Tyler
The current director of the Milwaukee Department of Community Wellness and Safety.
Medical College of Wisconsin
An academic institution receiving funding for initiatives focused on the care and recovery of gunshot victims.
The details
The department utilizes tax revenue, city funding, and American Rescue Plan Act grants to host community-focused wellness events. These services are designed to address trauma through nervous system regulation techniques, such as meditative sound baths and physical activity. Additionally, the department provided $656,000 to the Medical College of Wisconsin for a gunshot victim care initiative to support those affected by local violence.
Timeline
The department spent $5.3 million throughout 2025.
Ashanti Hamilton left the director position in January 2025.
Adam Procell assumed the role of director in September 2025.
Adam Procell left his position in January 2026.
Department vehicles remained unused as of August 2026.
Health Landscape
This investment reflects a broader move among municipal agencies to incorporate trauma-informed, community-based wellness initiatives into public health frameworks. The use of American Rescue Plan Act funds underscores the current reliance on federal grants to sustain these alternative safety models.
Residents may consider discussing with a physician how alternative modalities like yoga or meditation can support personal stress management and nervous system regulation. It is important to remember that these initiatives are designed as supplementary community resources rather than replacements for professional medical treatment.
The takeaway
The Milwaukee Department of Community Wellness and Safety is shifting toward healing-based initiatives to support trauma recovery. Residents interested in evidence-based stress management should consult with their doctor to determine which wellness practices are safe and appropriate for their health needs.
Further reading
For more information on community health strategies, visit Milwaukee Wellness.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS58.
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Should city departments use public funds to pay for alternative healing programs like sound baths?
