Making Dreams a Reality

Service

On our 2nd day of service, we volunteered at the Chicago Dream Center, which is part of New Life. The Chicago Dream Center's vision is to "rescue and restore the lost and broken", and they have a variety of services from outreach to housing for men, women, and teens.

Last year on my first Bear Breaks trip, we served there and helped paint, moved furniture, and knocked down a wall(!!) to renovate a space for a resale shop. Coming back this year, it was so cool and amazing to see how this little shop has changed and grown.

We toured the facilities they have, which range from apartments for women to a health clinic. We helped move old furniture out of some of their spaces so they could use the spaces for other things.

It was a cold and snowy day, but that didn't stop us! I'm proud of how well my team worked together and how positive people were.

The front of the shop.

An inside look.

So cool to see this transformation from last year!

Go Bears!

Reflection

At reflection we made a web out of yarn, and each person talked about what they have learned so far on the trip, and goals they had for the trip as well. The web symbolizes how we're all connected through this trip and how we're all here because we want to learn and grow as active citizens.

Afterwards for dinner we had tacos because Taco Tuesday! and again walked and shopped a little downtown.

Taco Tuesday!

It was a great and tiring day, and I can't wait to see what's in store for tomorrow!