Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for someone is simply listen. What if one conversation could change someone’s life? What if sharing one personal story could he
lp someone else feel a little less alone? That’s the heart behind One Thing I Wish You Knew, an annual community mental health event hosted by Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, a remarkable nonprofit right here in Milwaukee’s North Shore.
Through the power of storytelling, connection, and compassion, The Friendship Circle is helping break down the stigma surrounding mental health while reminding people of all ages that their stories matter, their voices deserve to be heard, and no one should have to navigate life’s challenges alone.
More Than an Event: A Movement Toward Understanding
What makes One Thing I Wish You Knew so special is that the impact extends far beyond the stage. The event brings together teenagers, parents, educators, mental health professionals, nonprofit organizations, and community members, all united by a shared commitment to supporting mental wellness. In 2025, more than 500 people attended, including approximately 200 teenagers and nearly 300 adults. Those numbers represent something bigger than event attendance. They reflect a community willing to show up, listen, learn, and have conversations that aren’t always easy.
Alongside the teen-led presentations, attendees can explore a mental health resource fair featuring organizations that provide support, education, and services throughout the Milwaukee area. It’s an opportunity for families to discover resources they may not have known existed, for young people to connect with support systems, and for community organizations to work together toward a common goal. Because mental health awareness shouldn’t begin and end with a single event. It should be part of how we care for one another every day.
While One Thing I Wish You Knew is a signature annual gathering, Friendship Circle’s commitment to mental health continues year-round. Through its UMatter initiative, the organization offers suicide prevention education, teen support groups, mental health advocacy opportunities, and programs designed to strengthen connections between young people and their communities. The organization also created the Wish You Knew podcast, giving teenagers another platform to share their experiences, discuss mental health, and connect with peers. By putting young people at the center of these conversations, Friendship Circle is helping create a culture where teens aren’t just being talked about. They’re being heard. It’s an approach that recognizes something important: young people have valuable perspectives, powerful stories, and the ability to make a real difference in the lives of others.
Join the Conversation: One Thing I Wish You Knew 2026
This November, Friendship Circle of Wisconsin invites the community to come together once again for its fourth Annual One Thing I Wish You Knew event.
Event Details
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Time: 3:00–5:00 PM
- Location: Italian Community Center, 631 E. Chicago Street, Milwaukee
- Who: Community members ages 13 and older
- Admission: Free
The afternoon begins with Milwaukee’s Largest Mental Health Resource Fair and dessert buffet, followed by the teen-led presentations. Whether you’re a parent, educator, student, mental health advocate, or simply someone who believes in the importance of supporting others, this event offers an opportunity to listen, connect, and be part of something meaningful.
Register for One Thing I Wish You Knew 2026
One Thing I Wish You Knew: Giving Teens a Voice
Imagine standing in front of hundreds of people and sharing something deeply personal. Something that may have been difficult to talk about, something others may not understand, or something you’ve carried quietly for years.
For the courageous teenagers who participate in One Thing I Wish You Knew, that’s exactly what they do. Now entering its fourth year, this annual event invites four local teens to take the stage and share their personal experiences with mental health in a TED Talk-style presentation. Their stories are honest, vulnerable, and deeply human. They offer a glimpse into the challenges young people face and the things they wish parents, friends, teachers, and their communities better understood.
The goal isn’t to have all the answers. It’s to start conversations, build understanding, and remind others facing similar challenges that they are not alone. For the teens sharing their experiences, it’s an opportunity to turn vulnerability into advocacy. For those listening, it’s a chance to see the world through someone else’s eyes.And for our community, it’s a reminder that sometimes listening can be one of the most meaningful ways to show support.
A Circle of Friendship, Inclusion, and Belonging
Located in Fox Point, Friendship Circle of Wisconsin is much more than a nonprofit organization. It’s a community built on a simple but powerful belief: everyone deserves friendship, connection, and a place to belong.
Since 2004, Friendship Circle has worked to create meaningful opportunities for individuals of all abilities, providing programs that celebrate strengths, encourage independence, and foster genuine relationships.
From inclusive social programs and volunteer opportunities to its Friendship Art Studio, Friendship Café & Bakery, and employment training initiatives, the organization continues to find creative ways to bring people together. But its mission doesn’t stop there. Recognizing the growing need for mental health awareness and support, Friendship Circle developed UMatter, an initiative dedicated to empowering teens and adults, encouraging open conversations about mental health, and creating communities where asking for help is seen as a strength.
…And one of the most powerful examples of that mission in action is One Thing I Wish You Knew!
A Stronger Community Starts with Connection
Here in Milwaukee’s North Shore, we’re proud to have organizations like Friendship Circle of Wisconsin that lead with kindness, create opportunities for inclusion, and remind us what community is truly about. Their work shows that making a difference doesn’t always require a grand gesture. Sometimes it starts with inviting someone to join in, reaching out to a friend, asking how someone is really doing, or simply being willing to listen. One Thing I Wish You Knew is more than an annual event. It’s a reminder that behind every person is a story worth hearing, and when we make space for those stories, we create a community where more people feel seen, supported, and understood. Because everyone deserves to know they matter. And everyone deserves to know they belong.
To learn more about Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, its programs, and ways to get involved, visit www.fcwi.org.