Meta House Named National Finalist for 2025 Defender Service Awards
Milwaukee, WI – Meta House, a Milwaukee 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Defender Service Awards, presented by Chase.
Meta House is one of just five organizations nationwide recognized in the Community Services Award category. As a finalist, Meta House has already received $5,000 to support its work and is now in the running for the grand prize: a customized Land Rover Defender 130 vehicle and $30,000 in additional funding. Winners will be determined by public vote between October 3 – 19, 2025.
This honor comes on the heels of National Recovery Month and amid Project Horizon, Meta House’s transformational campus expansion that will double its capacity and allow the organization to serve hundreds more women and families each year across Wisconsin.
“This recognition shines a national spotlight on the incredible work happening here in Milwaukee,” said Valerie Vidal, President & CEO. “As we expand through Project Horizon, resources like this vehicle would help us better serve our clients, especially pregnant and postpartum women who rely on us for safe transportation to medical appointments, pre- and postnatal care, and even to the delivery room.”
Sam Allen, U.S. Brand Director, Defender, said: “As we celebrate five years of the Defender Service Awards, we continue to be inspired by the missions and people of nonprofit and charitable organizations across North America. Their unwavering dedication to service reflects the spirit of the Defender brand and our commitment to supporting those who drive real change in their communities.”
Founded in 1963, Meta House is a pioneer in family-centered treatment for women with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The organization provides residential and outpatient treatment and recovery housing, along with supportive services, including peer support, case management, child and family services including childcare, and vocation and education training.
Daily voting opens around noon on October 3 and closes on Sunday, October 19. Votes can be submitted at: https://www.landroverusa.com/experiences/events-and-sponsorships/defender-service-awards/index.html
Winners will be announced on November 15, 2025 at the Destination Defender celebration in Temecula, California.
About Meta House
Established in 1963, Meta House ends the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families. Through comprehensive residential and outpatient treatment, recovery housing, and a wide array of supportive services including child and family services, Meta House helps women build healthy futures for themselves and their families. Project Horizon, its ongoing campus development and relocation initiative, will be complete in Fall 2026 and increase residential treatment capacity in Wisconsin for women in a family-centered environment by 20%.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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