Our Partners

Bluejay Nests at Merrill Area Public Schools (715-536-4581)

Provides a place for students within the Merrill Area Public School system to access and obtain items to meet their basic needs. There are four physical locations of “The Nest” in school buildings: Merrill High School, Prairie River Middle School, Washington Elementary School and Kate Goodrich Elementary School. Each nest is managed by the School Social Worker employed by that building.

Bridge Community Health Clinic – Merrill (715-848-4884)

Bridge Clinic provides necessary services to all patients regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. United Way funding is utilized to provide behavioral health services to Merrill area residents on a slide fee scale at their Merrill Clinic and School-Based sites, and/or telehealth options. Providing all Merrill area residents with access to a licensed mental health/AODA therapist for mental health services.

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Christmas Spirit Appeal

Christmas Spirit helps make a Merry Christmas for those in need in Lincoln County. The application process for families begins in September and ends in early November. Funds are then used to purchase food, clothing, hygiene products, books, and toys for the families who applied. Each year this program serves nearly 400 individuals in Lincoln County.

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Community Food Pantry of Merrill, Inc. (715-536-4505)

Community Food Pantry of Merrill provides supplemental food on a once per month basis to households in Lincoln County who fall at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines or need food assistance on an emergency basis. They also assist with programs specifically serving food to children. Call or stop by the Pantry located in the Menard Center at 503 South Center Avenue in Merrill to arrange a time for shopping. Pantry hours are Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to Noon and Thursday evening from 4 to 6 p.m. 

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral WI (715-848-7207)

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northcentral Wisconsin promotes youth development and healthy communities in Merrill by fostering positive, one-to-one mentoring relationships that strengthen emotional well-being, social connection, and community engagement. They provide one-to-one mentoring relationships for children ages 6 to 21 (with an IEP) who face a range of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges.

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Boys and Girls Club—Merrill (715-845-2582)

The Boys and Girls Club exist to enrich and transform the lives of young people in our community, especially those who need it most. The Club creates opportunities for Members to learn, grow, and succeed and teaches the importance of character, community, education and diversity in the critical out-of-school hours. The Boys and Girls Club, in collaboration with the school district and community, opened a Club Site at Prairie River Middle School in October of 2022.

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Childcaring, Inc. (715-841-9490 or 800-628-8534)

Childcaring, Inc. partners with families, child care providers, business leaders, and community organizations to make quality care and family supports available within Central Wisconsin, including the Merrill area. Childcaring continually provides training and support to new and existing child care programs to increase their capacity to care for more children in a quality setting.

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Children’s Wisconsin—Merrill Family Resource Center (715-539-9228)

Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, operating as Children’s Wisconsin, offers a variety of programs to help parents and caregivers focused on preventing child abuse and neglect, as well as supporting early learning activities in the greater Merrill area. This includes the Play & Learn and Wiggle, Giggle & Shake programs which provide valuable opportunities for children to engage in activities centered on early learning and well being. At the same time these programs provide an opportunity to provide support and resources to parents and caregivers who attend with their child(ren).

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Girl Scouts Council of Northwestern Great Lakes (715-355-9850)

Girl Scouts of Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) provides an inclusive environment for girls in Lincoln County, ages 5-17 (grades K – 12), and adults (ages 18 and over) to participate in high-quality, structured after-school programming. GSNWGL’s focus is to provide welcoming and inclusive leadership opportunities to all girls in Lincoln County. United Way funds are used to provide financial assistance for girls living in households at or below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) Threshold.

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Parkside Preschool Center (715-536-7716)

Parkside Preschool Center has annually achieved a 5 star rating on the YoungStar, Wisconsin’s Quality Rating System for Early Childhood Programs since 2016-17. United Way funding is used to provide financial scholarships for tuition to children living in low-income households allowing children most in need of access to quality care and education.

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Samoset Council, Scouting America (715-355-1450)

Samoset Council’s vision is to ensure that every youth is prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. Since 1910, Scouting America has instilled timeless values of character, citizenship and leadership in each young person who has entered the Scouting program. The Samoset Council continues this tradition through educational based skills and activities.

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HAVEN—Household Abuse Victims Emergency Network (715-536-1300)

HAVEN has supported survivors of interpersonal abuse in Lincoln County for over 35 years. HAVEN advocacy has evolved during that time to meet the needs of community members experiencing the negative impacts of generational trauma that results from interpersonal abuse and violence. When people come to HAVEN, staff assist them to gain insights into what has happened to them, educate them about available options and resources for themselves and their families and potential ways to hold those who abuse them accountable. When clients are able to feel safe and gain insights regarding their experiences, it allows their healing process to begin and amplifies their courage in taking back their lives.

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MAC Home—Merrill Community Homeless Center, Inc. (715-722-1200)

Merrill Community Homeless Center (MAC Home) is a transitional living and warming center that offers a safe environment to community members who are unsheltered. They provide services to Lincoln County and surrounding communities 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Warming Center located on the first floor offers laundry facilities, shower facilities and a fully stocked kitchen for preparing meals, and a clean safe place to sleep daily from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. The Transitional Living Area located on the second floor is available for adults and children for up to 90 days. During this time MAC Home staff work with each client to help address the reason for homelessness.

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Our Sisters’ House—TRUTH (715-224-3520)

Our Sisters’ House, a 10-bed emergency shelter for families and individuals from throughout northern Wisconsin who are experiencing homelessness. Located in Tomahawk, Our Sisters’ House provides shelter and basic needs for homeless individuals or families for up to 90 days, while they work together with a case manager to address the root causes of homelessness, devise workable solutions to these problems, and transition to a stable, independent lifestyle and permanent shelter. 

North Central Community Action Program (715-536-9581)

North Central Community Action Program (NCCAP) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and building stronger communities. By providing vital resources such as housing assistance, family support services, energy programs, and workplace development opportunities, NCCAP empowers individuals and families to achieve stability, independence, and long-term success. Every program is rooted in compassion and guided by the belief that everyone deserves the chance to thrive. Through partnerships with local organizations and a deep commitment to community well-being, NCCAP doesn’t just meet immediate needs – it creates lasting change that uplifts generations.

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Salvation Army   
Merrill 715-539-2666; Tomahawk (715-453-5939)

The Salvation Army provides emergency financial assistance to those in need in Lincoln County. Through their network of volunteers, we aid with food, housing, utilities, clothing, transportation and special requests to individuals and families in need and/or experiencing a crisis that is affecting their ability to make ends meet at a specific point in time. In addition, they offer statewide services: shelters throughout the state; the Adult Rehabilitation Center, a 90-day program for the chronic substance abusive male; camping experiences for young and old at The Salvation Army’s Army Lake Camp in East Troy, Wisconsin; and statewide disaster services.

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St. Vincent de Paul Outreach (715-539-2666)

St. Vincent de Paul Outreach provides financial assistance to individuals and families to prevent homelessness in the Merrill area. This may include assistance with rent, transportation, food, clothing, gas money, possible work shoes/clothing for a new job, medication assistance and other “wrap around” services.

Every day, 211 helps people in our community find food, housing, healthcare and so much more. We’re proud to be part of the 211 network, making it easier for everyone to access the help they deserve.

For more information visit United Way 211