Helping you help others

Summer is coming and it's time for baseball games, barbecues, and pool parties. Unfortunately, not everyone gets to enjoy the simple bliss that summer brings. To some people summer means just another season with unbearable heat.

     Homelessness is very prevalent in Waukesha as well as families who are struggling due to the economy. Luckily, we have wonderful charities that are there to help, but without volunteers it's hard to give the quality and quantity of their services. If you took a day out of your week or even an hour out of your day to help others, not only would it change the life of others, but it could change yours as well.  Places such as The Hope Center and Habitat for Humanity are always looking for an extra hand to help.

     The Hope Center has a lot of different services that reach out to many people. One of them is called Project Move. This project helps people to receive basic household necessities and furniture that they aren't able to afford by themselves. You can volunteer a small group or just by yourself to load and unload the moving trucks with donated furniture and deliver it to different homes in Waukesha County. If you are unable to lift heavy objects you could think about donating some used furniture which would help benefit those in need. To see the list of items needed by families or find out how you can help, go to: hopecenterwi.org/thisweeksneeds.html.

     The Hope Center provides food services such as the drop in program and the meal outreach. The drop-in program provides men, women, and children with a hot breakfast in the morning. Volunteers get together to provide the food and make the breakfast which serves 40 to 50 people. The meal outreach program is similar but served as a dinner. It consists of a meal and dessert provided by and made by the volunteers who sign up to serve it. This meal serves 70 to 80 guests. The volunteers help out with the clean up as well. To sign up to serve a meal through the drop in or meal outreach program, go to: hopecenterwi.org/volunteeropportunities.html.

     Another charity that helps people in the community is Habitat for Humanity. With the help of volunteers, Habitat for Humanity builds and restores affordable homes in Waukesha County. You can help create a place someone can call home. Habitat for Humanity also has a program called A Brush with Kindness (ABWK). This consists of volunteers helping low-income families or those who are struggling to maintain the exterior of their home. They do this by painting, landscaping, or just simply cleaning up. A little bit goes a long way and helps people to be able to come home to a place they can take pride in. To sign up to volunteer, visit their website: hfhwaukesha.org

     The people are what build a community. Without them, we have no sense of community at all. By opening up your hearts and your schedule, we as a campus can help those who really need it this summer. Helping others can essentially help you to realize the real needs of a community and what it feels like to actually be a part of one.