Volunteer Spotlight: Marquette University High School

MU high faculty discuss Milwaukee issues

When I walked into the St. James breakfast site one morning this past February, Marquette University High School’s Urban Plunge Retreat faculty members were gathered around. They were talking with George, the Gathering’s Breakfast Program Coordinator, about some of the causes of poverty in Milwaukee, such as barriers to employment, education, affordable housing, incarceration and more. All of the faculty members were contributing their own knowledge, expertise and curiosity to the conversation. You could tell right away that the group was invested, not only in the education of their students, but also in the well-being of their city.

Marquette University High School students have volunteered with the Gathering 334 times since they began in 2001. The core volunteering group comes from the sophomore class, which is required to get twelve hours of community service a semester. Sophomores choose to volunteer with The Gathering’s breakfast program or other service organizations around Milwaukee. After initially volunteering, some students continue the experience, even after graduation.

The students aren’t the only ones committed to service. Marquette High School faculty decided to do an urban immersion retreat this year, including visiting the service sites where students volunteer. “Everybody wanted to come and see what our students do here, to see what it is all about,” explained one faculty member. After a discussion about Milwaukee’s social issues, the group volunteered the following day to prepare, serve and clean up the Gathering’s breakfast.

We are so thankful for the students who choose the Gathering as their volunteer site. We are also thankful that they have teachers, administrators, leaders and role models who not only value service, but actively participate. We hope this partnership continues for many more years.

Giver’s Honor Roll

$15,000 - $24,999 Nicholas Family Foundation

$10,000 - $14,999 Catholic Community Foundation

$5,000 - $9,999 2 Anonymous Donors All Saints’ Cathedral Hunger Book Sale GE Healthcare Hunger Relief Fund of Wisconsin Mel and David Johnson Luedke-Smith Fund - The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Lux Foundation Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation St. Paul’s Episcopal Church - Milwaukee Thompson Family Foundation Waukesha County Community Foundation

$2,500 - $4,999 2 Anonymous Donors Christ Church Episcopal – Whitefish Bay Emanuel United Church of Christ-Hales Corners Empty Bowls Project Greg and Jackie Johnson Ladish Company Foundation Mark and Karen Meunier Trainer Family Foundation United Way of Greater Milwaukee Donor Choice

$1,000 - $2,499 7 Anonymous Donors Jeff and Susan Allen David and Karen Bartel Bostik, Inc. Lucy Cooper Richard and Mary DeLuca EFSP Phase XXX Allocation Rachel Finger Gathering Memorial Fund - The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Daniel and Kathy Glaser Thomas and Mary Hawley Evan and Marion Helfaer Foundation Steve Holt Immanuel Presbyterian Church- Milwaukee Jerome and Lynn Johnson Joy Global Dan and Nancy Kiernan Robert F. Martin Joseph and Joni McDevitt John and Beryl Mulhern William and Susan Rose St. John Vianney Congregation - Brookfield St. Joseph's Catholic Church - Wauwatosa St. Mark’s Episcopal Church - Milwaukee Richard Schreiner Margaret Schumacher Richard and Mary Thickens Jason and Laura Thurow UMB BankRobert and Ellen Venable Donald and Kate Wilson

$500 - $999 9 Anonymous Donors Answerport Management and Technology Consultants Robert C. Archer Designated Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation David and Mary Claire Ashpole James Bauman Richard and Carol Bayerlein Evert and Cindy Berndt Patricia Bowne Joe and Marlene Bruno Michael Carter Lisa Christiansen Paul and Mary Counsell James and Diane Cowles Paul Fackler David P. and Marjorie L. Hamacher Fund- The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Kevin Hanus Michael Istwan and Amy Korpi Keith Jacoby Ted and Mary Kellner Linda Knee Michael and Sarah Kubly Eugene and Gwendolyn Lavin Jim and Maureen Leurquin George and Sharon Loxton Jesse Maier Andrew Martin and Janet Trostel Martin Jane Matheus Rex and Gladys Merriman Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Jeff and Holly Morris Shane Morrison William and Susan Mueller Kevin and Cheryl O'Connor Jack and Martha Prince Family Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Robert W. Baird & Co.Foundation St. Bernard's Congregation - Wauwatosa St. Therese Parish - Milwaukee Joel and Ellen Sauer Patrick Schoen Thomas and Meredie Scrivner Seaman-Goes Family Foundation Seeds of Health Elementary School Sharp-Zillig Foundation Gary and Maureen Shebesta Shorewest Realtors Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem James and Christine Speaker Fred and Anne Stratton Charles Trainer and Anne Booth Carl and Nancy Trimble Trinity Episcopal Church - Wauwatosa Patrick and Joanne Ward Trevor and Margaret Will Eugene and Carmen Witt John Zacher

$250 - $499 14 Anonymous Donors Richard and Karen Binder Robert and Elizabeth Bradley John and Julie Cabaniss Carrie Taylor and Nettie Taylor Robinson Memorial Fund- The Greater Milwaukee Foundation Christ Church - Delavan Data Financial, Inc. Mark and Jennie Ehrmann John Farina Sarah Ford and Randall Klumb Greg and Hazel Griffin Paul and Mary Beth Haubrich Stephen and Deborah Heinze Hills of Clay Pottery/The Waxwing Holz Motors Marilyn John Maureen Kania Peter and Mary Klabunde Jeff and Christa Klarer James and Dona Knight Peter and Kristin Kult Brian and Suzanne Lanser Daryl and Kim Lueck Peter Mahsem, Sr. Phillip Mattix and Sheila Stafford Michael McClone Jo Mooney Thomas Mooney and Elene Strates Harry and Ellie Moseley Greg and Beth Myers W. Stuart and Phoebe Parsons Charles and Evelyn Payson Kimberly Pons James and Cynthia Reilly Mason and Julie Ross St. Agnes Congregation - Butler St. Boniface Episcopal Church - Mequon St. Nicholas Orthodox Church - Cedarburg Roger and Margery Senn Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church - Richfield James and Patricia Sherry Jerry Smith Dean and Kathy Thome WaterStone Bank Fund - Waukesha County Community Foundation Western States Envelope Company

Numbers are up at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church

A Mt. Carmel chef hard at work

Nearly 3 years after Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church began its collaboration with the Gathering to serve lunch on the fourth saturday of each month, the meal is going strong. “Our numbers are up, and they are staying up,” Dani Ovanin, the youth ministry coordinator and meal program liaison, explains. They have consistently served between 50-55 guests per meal. With the recent close of a senior meal center in the neighborhood, the meal may even expand to serve more in the community.

Not only has the number of guests increased, but so has the number of volunteers. Mt. Carmel youth help prepare and serve meals as well as Marquette High school students, who seize the opportunity to gain some experience. We are so thankful for Mt. Carmel’s service and their commitment to feeding the hungry in their west side neighborhood.

Mt Carmel volunteers distribute desserts

The Gathering Guest Volunteers

Robert (rightmost) and Stephanie (middle) serve in the breakfast line

Guest volunteers are Gathering guests who cross the serving line to also donate their time as volunteers. These individuals provide valuable insight, energy, dedication, compassion and expertise to the Gathering community. They offer something that nobody else can—experience at the table and behind the scenes. Over the past few months, I have had the privilege of sitting down with a number of guest volunteers to hear their stories. They have some pretty amazing words that capture the communal spirit of the Gathering better than I ever could.

“It’s a place where individuals can come, sit down, eat a good meal, enjoy themselves, fellowship with each other and just have a nice time. Be thankful and grateful for those they know and those they care for and to just be with each other. Eat a good meal and everything.” - Stephanie, Breakfast volunteer

“A lot of people don’t understand how homelessness is. People don’t know how hard it is. You can lose your job, all your money, just like that, it happens...I used to be homeless just like the guests. I feel like I need to give something back because I understand what it’s like.” - Robert, Breakfast volunteer

“See, I used to come here [to the Gathering’s breakfast site] back in the 80s before I started working again. I like it here for the simple reason that from the first time I started coming over here until now, Don’t matter who they have running it or who they have working it - they always have the same mentality that they had back then. And that mentality is to treat people... ...with dignity and remind them that they’re not an animal and that things get better. When you treat people with respect, and stuff like that, they tend to not think that they know better than anybody else, That they’re all the same, Everybody goes through certain things. That’s the way it was back then and it still holds true now the way they do it.” - Ray, Breakfast volunteer.

“Look at all the people that come here [to the Gathering’s dinner site]. I don’t know of anywhere else where you might be able to go and meet all of the different kinds of people that come here. We’re like one big adopted dysfunctional family. Maybe [the Gathering] is an idea, showing what cooperation could be like. If you leave the baggage at the door and everybody comes here and everybody gets together, who knows? You’ve seen what people do here...everybody comes and does whatever needs to be done. We realize the most important thing is that people get fed. And that’s basically where it starts. A person comes in, they’re hungry, and we feed ‘em. You’re going to get so much more back when you do that. I can sit here and preach to the choir but there is nothing like experiencing it for yourself” - Jeanne, Dinner volunteer

The Gathering’s guest volunteers are an amazing group of people. The stories they share and the dedication they bring to the table is incredible. Don’t believe us? Then follow Jeanne’s advice and come experience it for yourself.

Volunteer Spotlight: Ray Pryor

For Ray Pryor, not volunteering with the Gathering was never an option. Ray has always been a hard worker and prides himself on his ethic and work commitment. As long as Ray eats meals at the Gathering, he will volunteer his time, energy and expertise to give back.

Ray and regular UWM volunteer Elena pause after a busy breakfast meal

Ray was laid off. Once his unemployment ran out, he struggled to keep his head above water while dealing with homelessness. In order to stay busy, Ray has volunteered with the Gathering’s breakfast program Monday-Friday for almost a year.

“[Volunteering] gave me something to do ‘cause I just got laid off. I didn’t feel like I just wanted to walk around all day not doing anything, so this gave me something to do in the morning. I come every day. Every day. Most of the time it does take my mind off of a lot of stuff. So, it’s good for now. I appreciate the people. Networking and stuff. Cause y’all do get a lot of really good volunteers that are really nice.”

Aside from volunteering, Ray spends a lot of time on the job hunt, making phone calls, doing research and applying for various positions. Over the past 20 years he has held jobs in Waukesha, Portage, the Dells and Milwaukee.

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Despite his work ethic and commitment, Ray explained that, “karma gets bad and you end up back where you started.”

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For those of us who have not experienced homelessness, getting laid off and ending up on the streets may seem impossible. Ray demonstrates that because of globalization and the job market, it is not as distant as you think.

“You work for a job for 16 years. Then the company decides, we’re giving you employees too much money and we’re paying the state too much money. We’re gonna move down to Mexico. And you’re like 45 … 48 … now you try to get another job before your unemployment runs out, but a lot of companies they want the young kids and stuff like that, they’re looking at your age. So you study, you’re knocking on doors, all of a sudden, unemployment runs out, you can’t get an extension, you lose everything. So you’re stuck, out here, in the middle of winter and hoping that there’s an old folks site that they will let you go to and get out of the cold. Now I gotta get off the cotton-pickin’ streets before winter time comes because if I don’t, I’m sleeping outside until the temperature is so unbearable that they will let me in because they got an overflow site.”

Thankfully, Ray is hard-working and focused. He is able to stay strong and positive to set his mind on volunteering at many different places, applying for jobs, and surrounding himself with positive friends and people who support him.

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“You have to keep your head on straight. Cause if you don’t you end up out here for 20 or 30 years and wonder what happened to your life.”

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The Gathering helps him be positive and focused. He feels comfortable and supported at the Gathering.

“I like it over here [at the St. James’ breakfast site]. I really do. See, I used to come here back in the 80s before I started working again. I didn’t volunteer then but I had a buddy that worked here. And … I like it here for the simple reason that from the first time I started coming over here until now, don’t matter who they have running it or who they have working it - they always have the same mentality that they had back then. And that mentality is to treat people with dignity and remind them that they’re not an animal and that things get better. When you treat people with respect, and stuff like that, they tend to not think that they know better than anybody else. We’re all the same, Everybody goes through certain things. That’s the way it was back then and it still holds true to now.”

It is the dedication and strong example of guest volunteers that keeps the Gathering focused on promoting dignity and respect. It is the consistent commitment of all volunteers that keeps the Gathering’s mission alive. And, in the end, it is individuals like Ray who set an example for others experiencing hardship. This network of individuals makes ending hunger and homelessness a real possibility.

Volunteer Spotlight: CG Schmidt

CG Schmidt volunteers in the breakfast serving line

Gathering volunteers are always contributing in new and unique ways and they never cease to surprise us. One group who has demonstrated this so far is the volunteer group from CG Schmidt. CG Schmidt is a “values-based construction management and general contracting firm, driven by our core value of caring.” Their core value of caring certainly came through when various employees volunteered their time to serve at the Gathering’s breakfast meal throughout December and January. What’s even more interesting is the reason the staff volunteered.

Greg Morelli, a construction manager for CG Schmidt explained, “Our owner, Rick Schmidt, does a lot to give back. Rather than come together to give him a tie and a Christmas card, which we normally do, his assistant asked anonymously via e-mail if we could join the Gathering to help needy and hungry people. It is a way to thank Rick in a little more meaningful way, because this kind of service is near and dear to Rick’s heart.”

Morelli also stated that he is proud of his co-workers. Over the five days of volunteering, there were 32 different volunteer slots filled. Such a good turnout says a lot about the CG Schmidt team and their overall attitude. In addition to volunteering, the staff also prepared bagged lunches to contribute, so guests had something to take away from the meal. While staff members had different reasons for volunteering their time, the caring value was present throughout.

Tom Pagel, a project/construction manager with CG Schmidt observed, “This is my second time volunteering. I believe in karma. Do good things and good things happen, I’m a pay-it-forward kind of person. I worked on the serving line and giving coffee. When you’re serving, you get personal contact. You always hear stories on Facebook about how it could be just a smile that can make a positive difference. Serving on the front line, you’re acting as that welcome. That’s what we try to do.”

Pagel also explained that through George, the Gathering’s breakfast coordinator. The group had an educational discussion about poverty: “If you don’t know the city, George’s education about poverty brings it to real life.”

We are so impressed with CG Schmidt staff members! Our volunteers continually make a concerted effort to learn more about poverty and hunger, give back to the community and practice compassion. We hope that all of our volunteers are able to take what they learn from their experiences with the Gathering and pay it forward.

Learn more about CG Schmidt.