In the days and weeks after the tragic events of November 21, 2021, the city of Waukesha, Wisconsin, faced grief, shock, and an urgent need to come together. As we approach the four-year mark of that day, it is a fitting time to reflect not only on lives lost and changed, but on the journey of community, resilience, connection, and healing that has been, and continues to be, woven through Waukesha.
Remembering Together
Remembrance in the wake of tragedy is never only about looking back. It is also about looking forward; about how we hold space for those who suffered, for the survivors, and for the community at large. In Waukesha, memorials have been created to provide a physical, enduring space for that reflection. For example, the Grede Park memorial honors the six lives lost through six concrete ribbons forming a large heart.
But perhaps just as important is the gathering together of people: families, neighbors, first responders, and survivors, who remember that day, and the steps since. The journey of remembrance is communal: we remember together, so we may heal together.
Community Connection as Healing
Trauma affects more than the individual. It ripples outward to families, friends, workplaces, schools, and entire neighborhoods. Connection becomes a vital part of healing. In Waukesha, the phrase “Waukesha Strong” has emerged not just as a slogan but as a rallying cry, a way for the community to affirm: we will not be defined by tragedy alone; we will hold one another.
Shared remembrance helps build bridgepoints for community connection:
- Vigils, memorial events, and anniversaries invite those affected (whether directly or indirectly) to show up, to listen, to speak, to honor.
- Public memorials provide not only commemorative symbolism, but also places where people can gather in quiet or in conversation, and feel that their grief or their hope is seen.
- Support networks and community programming help individuals know: they are not isolated in their pain or their recovery.
The Role of Mental Health Support
Four years out, many are still navigating the aftermath—physical recovery, emotional upheaval, the ongoing presence of trauma in everyday life. This is where organized mental health support comes in, and Waukesha has important resources.
United for Waukesha Resiliency Center
In the wake of the parade tragedy, the United for Waukesha Resiliency Center (UWRC) was launched under the umbrella of NAMI Southeast Wisconsin. This center offers no-cost programs and service navigation for anyone in the greater Waukesha community who was affected–lives, works, or attends school in the area.
Services include:
- Individual & family therapy is linked at no cost.
- Age-specific groups: for children (ages 6-12), artistic and musical connections, for adults art therapy support groups, trauma-informed yoga, and other experiential groups.
Importantly, the UWRC’s operations have been extended through May 31, 2026, to support the long-term journey of healing.
NAMI Southeast Wisconsin
Complementing the UWRC, NAMI Southeast Wisconsin (which serves Milwaukee, Waukesha, and Jefferson Counties) provides education, advocacy, support groups, community events, and works to reduce the stigma around mental illness.
Key supports:
- Free peer support and education for individuals, families, and loved ones dealing with mental health conditions.
- Advocacy efforts that ensure the community’s voice is heard, the systems improve, and supports remain visible.
- Connection to larger networks: while the UWRC is specific to the parade-affected community, NAMI’s broader mission means continued coverage in the years ahead.
Honoring the Journey: What That Means Now
As we mark the upcoming four-year milestone, what does “honoring the journey” look like in practice? Here are a few reflections and invitations:
- Acknowledge All the Paths
The journey of healing looks different for everyone. Some are still in acute recovery; others are finding new normalcy; still others are coping with unexpected aftereffects (physical, emotional, relational). By honoring the journey, we recognize that healing isn’t linear—but each step matters.
- Gather & Remember
Whether attending a public memorial, lighting a candle, writing a note, or simply meeting with someone who was part of the experience, these acts of remembrance build connection. They reaffirm that we are not alone.
- Reach Out for Support
If you or someone you know is affected by the tragedy of the parade, either directly or indirectly, it’s okay to seek help. The UWRC continues to provide free, trauma-informed services through May 31, 2026. And NAMI Southeast Wisconsin offers ongoing support and advocacy long-term.
- Stay Connected in Community
Healing isn’t done in isolation. Connecting with others who understand—even in small ways—brings relief and strength. Community events, support groups, informal check-ins, and shared memorials all build resilience.
- Carry Forward the Resilience
One of the most powerful legacies of this journey is the resilience: the way a community came together, stood with one another, and said, “We will remember, we will heal, we will honor.” That resilience doesn’t end; it becomes part of the fabric of what it means to be “Waukesha Strong.”
To everyone in Waukesha who has said a silent prayer, shared a hug, taken a step toward healing—thank you. Four years may have passed, but the journey continues. And in continuing, we honor those we lost, the survivors who walk among us, the helpers and responders who ran in when chaos reigned—and we honor our shared humanity.
May this season of remembrance bring us closer, remind us we are not alone, and invite us to keep walking the healing path—together.
If you or someone you know needs help:
- Contact the United for Waukesha Resiliency Center: 262-522-0243, [email protected]
- Visit NAMI Southeast Wisconsin’s website namisoutheastwi.org for support groups, education, and advocacy: 262-524-8886.
Together, we honor the journey. Together, we remember. Together, we heal.