Rooted in our youth is perhaps the deepest possible potential for systemic change. We encourage young people to learn first-hand about the daily survival challenges of homeless persons—many of them veterans—and what can be done to make positive changes in their lives. Under the direction of knowledgeable adults, we provide opportunities to interact personally with homeless men and women from all walks of life. We guarantee this experience will heighten individual awareness. It can even help develop a level of consciousness that can create a tidal wave of compassionate social reform.

The journey usually begins when a youth group (middle school or older) and one or more adult advisors visit our center for a two- to four-hour session. They are assigned hands-on serv­ice projects such as cleaning up the outside grounds, sorting clo­thes in the “Boston Store” clothing bank, folding clean laundry, helping set up for lunch, serv­ing lunch, etc., working side by side with our homeless members. The closing session includes life-journey-sharing and faith-sharing by our homeless members, group feedback time and closing prayer.

These personal hands-on mini-journeys are eye-opening experiences for young people and their adult advisors. Our guests often become advocates for the poor within their homes, churches, schools, and communities. We find that visiting youth and adults very often want to be further involved in ongoing service opportunities at our center, much like they experi­enced on their first Saturday. We welcome and understand the tremendous pro-active value of connecting with our youth and their adult companions.

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Service Learning Programs

At many elementary and secondary schools,  colleges and universities throughout the country, "Service Learning" is a required part of the curriculum. For those unaware of the concept, service learning combines classroom instruction with meaningful community service. Throughout the years, students from Marquette University, MATC, UW-Milwaukee and several other schools have volunteered at the Repairers of the Breach Center as part of their school's Service Learning program.

Find out more information about the following local service learning programs by clicking on the schools below:

• Marquette University
  
• Milwaukee Area Technical College
• Milwaukee Public Schools
  
• Medical College of Wisconsin (Student Community Service)
• MSOE University (Servant-Leadership)
  
• University School of Milwaukee (Community Service)
  
• UW-Milwaukee
  

If you don't see a school listed here, check with the school's administrative office to see if it offers opportunities for service learning or student community service, and think of Repairers of the Breach when you apply! We are eager to provide this educational opportunity.

Ways for Youth to be Involved

Following are ways your youth can be involved with our ministry to the currently and formerly homeless members of the Repairers of the Breach community:

• Visit our center (with adult supervision) for a work session combined with dialogue;
• Invite our Speakers Bureau or Homeless Choir to your school, church or youth group gathering;
• Hold special needs collections on our behalf—food, clothing, toiletries and other sundries;
• Hold special financial collections on our behalf;
• Join a Service Learning program at your school and volunteer at the Repairers of the Breach Center.

To explore a further connection for your student group or to let us know of your interest, fill out our Get Involved form TODAY.

Volunteer—the sky's the limit!