NOVEMBER 2011

find the Right Volunteer Program for YoUR Children

Get involved with theUrban Ecology Center

fREDDI ZIELER’S Perspective on Volunteering

VOlUNTEERINg FOR YOUTH

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dearREADERS

This is for all you parents out there to teach your children that they can make a differ-ence in their community and in their own lives. The act of giv-ing allows one to gain a sense of respect towards others, pride for oneself and the desire to be a better person. There are so many opportunities to give back

to your community, whether it’s participating in a fundrais-er, help clean up local parks, or making eco friendly choices around the household. Parents, it is your responsibility to teach your kids the importance of giv-ing so they can grow up with pride and respect for their com-munity. MIAD bridge is here to help encourage parents that even the youth can contribute a little something to their own

communitiy. Don’t let vidoe games eat up their free time, help them discover what makes your child special and find a way for them to share their talents and engage in their interests. Read about the story’s inside about children sharing their gifts to those who need and how it made a difference in their

own lives. And don’t be afraid to jump in and join your kids in giving, for you are your kids’s number one role models. You may be surprised at just how much YOU will benefit from giv-ing, as well as bringing you and your family closer together. And don’t forget to take a look at the variety of opportunities listed in the back. Amazingkids.org is an excellent way for your child to meet new people and share their

life stories with other kids their age. The Urban Ecology Center allows kids to engage in their own community hands on. Find what’s right for you and your family. Remember, EvERYOnE has the power to give.

Editer and Designer,

Sarynn R Anderson

ECO URBANITE

Molly’s Story

Live GREEN

Opportunitiesaudra STIVAK

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Volunteer

FREDDI ZEILER

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It is important to get your child involved within their community. It gives children a sense of respect and pride. Learn more about the benefits of youth volunteering.

There are many kids who get involved with volunterring for many. different reasons Learning the importance of giving essential and Freddi Zeiler talks about how she star-ing giving at an early age and encourages others to do the same.

The Urban Ecology Center is an excellent place to volunteer, helping the community grow and allows one to learn more about the surroundings of their home town.

VO

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noun1. a person who voluntarily offers

oneself for a service willingly.

verb2. to offer oneself or one’s services

for some undertaking or purpose.

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volunteering gives you an opportu-nity to change lives, including your own. If you’re feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by the news of a di-saster, volunteering to help can be a great way to cope. If you’d like to support a cause but can’t afford to donate money, you can donate your time instead. volunteering can mean spending some of your free time helping others. You may volunteer to help other people, such as the families who lost their homes after Hurricane Katrina. But you can also volunteer to protect animals, the environment, or any other cause that you care about.

volunteering helps others, but it can also help you, too. If you’re upset about something that’s hap-pened, like a hurricane or other disaster, doing something about it can be a great way to cope with your own feelings. volunteer-ing also lets you see your own life in a new way. At times, it is way too easy for us to worry about stuff like grades or get annoyed because you don’t have the most expensive sneakers or the newest computer game. vol-unteering lets you spend some time focusing on others for a while and

allows them to put things into per-spective, what’s really important. It gives a better understanding on the difference between needs and wants. Lots of kids fi nd that they

really enjoy volunteering. It often put you in a different environment and expose you to people and situ-ations that you wouldn’t have oth-erwise. You might learn that just on the edge of your town are some kids who really need winter clothes.

“ Volunteer experiences put youin different environments.”

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SERVICE lEARNINg

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“A volunteer job that you love can shape your ideas about your career goals.”

Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills, from working as part of a team to setting and reaching goals. It gives you a chance to discover what kinds of things you’re best at and enjoy the most. A volunteer job that you love can even help shape your ideas about your career goals. It’s a good way to fi nd what you’re interested, what you’re good at or

not good at. Volunteering also can provide you with a sense of responsi-bility because people really depend on you. And it can help you develop a new understanding of people who are different from you, people with disabilities, people in fi nancial dis-tress, sick kids, or the elderly. Donating your time is a great way to feel like you have the power to change things for the better. When people depend on you, it can change the way you look at yourself. You can feel proud of the goals that you’ve achieved for an organization whether it’s helping to organize a

life learned lESSONS

Kids can also come up with their own ways to raise money or pro-vide needed services. There are simple ways that younger kids can get involved, and is a great way to have fun with your family. Talk to

Make and sell products and do-nate the money to charity. Car-ly, 11, and her sister Molly, 13, raised almost $10,000 for the American Cancer society by sell-ing honey at farmer’s markets and fairs.

Collect or earn money for charity. Ten-year-old Talia trick-or-treat-ed for donations to Hurricane Katrina victims. Eleven-year-old Kyra donated money she made pet-sitting to a local animal shel-ter. start your own charity group. Three sisters, ages 8, 11, and 14, started Project Backpack to help kids who were evacuated after hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

your children, spouse, brothers, or sisters and see what they might be interested in doing. There are even more simple ways to volunteer. not everything costs money or full time dedication. The simple things

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10K to raise money for breast can-cer or running the race itself.volunteering is also a great way to get a perspective on your own life. sometimes it’s easy to get consumed by worries about your grades or the fi ght you had with your friend or parent. And although these things are very important in their own way, sometimes it can be

helpful to get some distance and think about other things. volun-teering allows you to do this. It lets you focus on others and see that your involvement in the world can be meaningful.Finally, volunteering can help save you from being bored. It gives you a place to be where you can have a good time and keep busy with. Best of all, you are surrounded with peo-ple of the same type of interest.

Cancer: It has no predetermined plan. It does not mat-ter if you are old or young. I had the perfect life. It was a bubble that could not be pierced by unhappiness. No one died, no one was sick; we were all happy and loving life. Then I discovered my grandfather had cancer. No matter how much I told myself he could live, that he might not die, some-how I still felt as if it was a death sentence. He was so young, only 63. He fought so hard. When he died, he died with a huge party going on around him, with all his friends and adult family. An Irish wake. They ate and drank and celebrated Grandpa’s life. He died with dignity and honor, surrounded by loved ones. I just remembered my grand-father’s wish that we should celebrate his life. That’s how we came up with the idea for Hives for Lives, a business my sister and I started where all the profits go to the American Cancer Society [ACS]. We sell honey, honeycomb, beeswax candles, and lip balm, which all come from our beehives in Virginia. It started out small, 2 years ago, with just an idea. During our first year we donated more than $2,000 to the ACS. The next year a man who belonged to my grandparents’ “bee club” willed his honey to us, and our little business grew. We sold at craft fairs, haunted houses, wine festivals, schools, and to any-

one else who would buy! We had my uncle sell in Califaornia and my grandmother sell in Chicago. We have sold honey in 13 states, even in Puerto Rico! This year we donated more than $10,000 to the ACS and we’re hoping to do more next year. Hopefully our business will help find a cure or just improve the life of someone with cancer. With Hives for Lives reminding me of my grandfather every day, I feel as if I can move on in life, that he will always be alive in my heart and memories. It made me capable of coping with his death, because I felt like I had truly honored his wish of celebrating his life. I have immortalized his spirit through the business and I honor him every day. He always taught me to make the best of things. Well, Grandpa, that’s what I’m doing, for you.

can make a big difference as well as show people it’s easy and can be fun. Here are some things to think about when you have some free time.

volunteering gives kids a taste of responsibility because people are depending on them for something important. volunteering also can help kids learn important stuff about themselves, like what kinds of things they’re best at and enjoy the most. A volunteer job can even help some kids decide what they want to do when they grow up. so what are you waiting for? Make a plan to start volunteering today!

Clean up a park or along a river.Plant trees or flowers in your lo-cal community.serve food at a homeless shelter.Deliver meals to people who are elderly or ill at home.Clean up a school or other public building.Count wildlife or plants for envi-ronmental groups.

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“That’s how we came up with the idea for HIVES foR LIVES a business my sister and I started where profits go to the ACS, or American Cancer Society”

STORYmolly’s

Urban Ecologly Center in Riverside Park Miwaukee WI

service Learning by Ryan Strzok

environmentally active to stretch into the ideas of minimalist living, living off the grid, and acting out-side of conformity. service learning has connected me to my communi-ty in a way I never thought I would. volunteering at the Urban Ecology Center’s opened me up to the idea of living a more self-sustained life. During the early years of living in Milwaukee and biking down the bike path I would cruise by a tow-ering rock climbing wall with a sleek solar powered building next to it, never really knowing what it was until visiting it with my service learning class. I realized at that mo-ment I needed to get involved with the organization. The congregation of people there who shared similar viewpoints to mine truly sparked my interest. It’s a sort of vessel to meet people and to get better aqua-tinted with the environment and living off the grid. The UEC mission

I chose to volunteer my time and energy to the Milwaukee Urban Ecology Centers (UEC) at both the Riverside location and the Wash-ington Park location. Living in Milwaukee and being on my own I live more so around my ideals and want to began my journey as this sort of eco urbanite. Creating an urban homestead catered towards my ideals on environmentalism. My ideas are a bit more extreme than that of the pretty term of being green. I want my journey of being

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Mahatma Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” The Urban Ecology Center is a good place to start. Whether you are looking for a way to give back to the community or a way to meet other people who share your interests, there is a place for you here.

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statement revolves around the idea of creating ecological empathy and using it as a tool for change. They also focus on providing an educa-tional science service for Milwaukee youth, protecting and enhancing the flourishing Milwaukee natural ar-eas, building a community around volunteering, stewardship, recre-

ation, and camaraderie, and finally the teachings of environmentally responsible behavior. The types of services they offer are: neighbor-hood environmental education project which supply existing K-12 science courses with more hands on experiences, urban adventures that get people active, field research, summer day camps, lectures, work-shops, discussions, stewardships, internships, and so forth. River-side Park has been around for quite sometime and was once a flourish-ing attraction to the residents of Milwaukee County and travelers. Activities such as swimming, boat-ing, skiing, and ice-skating were very common in the early 1900’s. As the river became more and more polluted due to the growing indus-trial powers of Milwaukee the river became less active. It wasn’t until 1991 when Dr. Else Ankel started the revolution to revitalize the Riv-erside Park system. Twenty years later it has morphed into a keystone of Milwaukee culture and commu-nity building. There are now two

locations; Riverside on the East side of Milwaukee off of Oakland and the other, Washington Park on 40th and Lisbon. Before working at the UEC I didn’t know what to expect. My pre-conceptions were that it was just another nature park but once ac-tually experiencing it fully it was

much more than that. It turned out to be extremely engaging. The cen-ter brings the community together in many different ways that I had no idea about. What surprised me the most about my placement in volunteer services was the differ-ence between the Riverside Park and Washington Park. I believe that the Washington Park needs a lot of up keep and more workers and I see funding being a thing that stands in the way of Washington Park blossoming into the com-munity that Riverside is. I believe it is on the right path though. As for experiences go I would have to say Washington Park proved to be the best. It all started on satur-day when weeding at Washington Park for a good four hours. I was weeding by myself when a little voice came up behind me and ex-claimed, “Hey! sucka!” I turned around to see a ten-year old little kid with stitches under his eye. He then said, “Can I help you weed?” I replied, “Of course.” For about the next two hours we talked back and

forth laughing and joking about random stuff. He asked if I was a football player and dubbed me the nickname Lil’ Wayne. I said, “Do I look like Little Wayne to you? He laughed and said, “no.” His name was Tavares and also went by the nicknames Chris Brown and Man Man. Everyone at the UEC knew him by Man Man so I stuck with that one. It was a real eye opener to see the kind of kids from that neighborhood. Overall the Urban Ecology Centers have opened me up to the Milwaukee community as a whole. It has made me closer to the people here and the causes they support. The UEC sure has taught me a lot about life, invasive plants, and everything in between.

“Volunteering at the Urban Ecology Center’s opened me up to the idea of living a more self-sustained life.”

Front View of Urban Ecology Center, Wachington Park

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RIVERSIDE

(414) 964 - 8505

WASHINGTON PARK

(414) 344 - 5460

urbanecologycenter.org

The URBAN ECOlOgY CENTER has been focused on providing an educational science service within the Milwaukee youth, protecting and enhancing the flourish-ing Milwaukee natural areas, building a community around the act of volunteering, rec-reation, and the teachings of how to be environmentally responsible.

The Urban Ecology Center is an environmental education organi-zation with two community cen-ters adjacent to Milwaukee County parks (or, as we like to call them “outdoor classrooms”). On any giv-en day and you’ll find classes of stu-dents from local schools engaging in hands-on learning about science, nature and how to live more sus-tainably, community members us-ing the array of resources we offer, adventure-seekers borrowing our outdoor recreational equipment, climbing the rock-wall in Riverside Park or canoeing in the lagoon in Washington Park , or people just visiting the center, its staff and volunteers. Best of all, the Urban Ecology Center is available to ev-eryone for fun and learning nearly every day of the year! The Urban Ecology Center is a neighborhood-based, environmental education, nonprofit community center. Our “outdoor laboratories,” located in

two urban parks, include 15 acres of wooded land and riparian habi-tat on the east bank of the Milwau-kee River, an imaginative, habitat-themed playground, and a lagoon. The “green” building in Riverside Park that houses our main offices, resource areas and classrooms is home to live animals, informational exhibits and user-friendly resource materials about the environment.Research shows that children who explore natural areas throughout their childhood, guided by environ-mentally literate mentors, are likely to become ecologically responsible adults. All of our programs, from our award-winning neighborhood Environmental Education Project to our fun-filled Urban Adventures programs, are designed with this research in mind. The Center offers hiking, rock climbing, canoeing and kayaking. students get so involved in what they’re doing, they don’t re-alize how much they’re learning!Urban Ecology Center volunteers

Hands-on activities

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provides youth with hands-on, as well as some great outdoor educa-tional experience throughout the school year. Other programs for youth and children include sum-mer day camps, leadership training and internship programs. Commu-nity members enjoy the sustainable food program, hands-on environ-mental research projects, urban adventures such as rock climbing and canoeing and weekend youth and family programs. Each year, over 15,000 students and teach-ers from 30 neighborhood schools explore the ecology of their local community with the Urban Ecology Center. The educational programs that are offered will enrich the ex-isting MPs K-12 science curriculum with fun hands-on learning experi-ences. Young ones experience an adventure in our forest as well as on

the habitat playground. The Cen-ter’s staff and volunteers serve as mentors to guide students as they progress through school. The Ur-ban Ecology Center sprouted from humble beginnings as a neighbor-hood effort to reduce crime in Mil-waukee’s Riverside Park, which had become polluted and crime-ridden. Today, the organization has grown into a community center that serves tens of thousands of visitors each year and provides a safe presence in the park. since 1990, crime in Riv-erside Park has steadily decreased. The 15-acre wooded area along the Milwaukee River is managed by the Urban Ecology Center as an out door classroom for neighborhood schools. In addition to the award-winning sustainable facility at the Riverside Park location, the cen-ter recently expanded to a second branch in Washington Park and a third location in the Menomonee

valley is in development. The Ur-ban Ecology Center model is being replicated in urban areas in cities across the United states including Columbus, Ohio; syracuse, n.Y. and Baltimore, Md.

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Whether you’re building a worm composting system or sustainable building materials, the Urban Ecology Center can help you ways to change your everyday life in order to live more lighly on the earth. from compost to vermiculture, water collection to community supported agriculture, we can help you begin projects that will change your perspective and habits.

TRANSPORTATION: Carpooling, mass transit, walking and bike riding have been promoted for many years as ways to reduce pollution, unblock traffi c jams, alleviate park-ing shortages and diminish our dependence on foreign oil. So far, none of these concerns has receded to the point of disappearing. All of the proposed solutions are good ideas. The EUC has instituted the EcoBuck Program. Any time that an employee gets to and from work without using additional fossil fuels, he or she gets a dollar. Biking, walking and taking the bus all count. Carpooling counts half. The staff keeps track of alternative transportation days on a calendar and receives any earned EcoBucks monthly, added to their regular paychecks.

WORM COMPOST: Worms are the best way to compost vegetable scraps in winter. Before you begin, remember a worm composting system is not like a refrigerator that once you put it in place all you need to do is plug it in. A worm farm is pretty simple to build and maintain, but it is a live working ecosystem and does take some initial set up time, weekly feeding and monitoring and requires a yearly worm switch and soil sifting in order to harvest your castings (or “black gold” as we call it). We have created a waonder-ful system for those who wish to start a worm farm - an easy to build and maintain worm farm for your home basement or garage for less than $25. You’ll learn to love worms!

GROW yOu OWN FOOD: There is nothing like getting your hands dirty in soil and watching a plant grow from a seedling to a mature, fruiting plant. The Urban Ecology Center provides many resources for people who are interested in growing their own food. for those of you who like to garden, but do not have a yard of your own, we have 37 community garden plots for rent. Each spring the Urban Ecology Center offers a number of gardening classes for those who are new to gardening or who are interested in new gardening techniques. Gardeners spend the summer gardening alongside their neighbors, lend a helping hand to each other, share a potluck dinner, and grow spectacular produce!

Wild Ones Natural Landscaping with Native Plants Conference

Do you see your yard as an ecosystem? Gain insights about landscaping and growing native plants. This seminar was originally conceived and sponsored by Lorrie otto, formerly of Bayside, Wisconsin, the inspiration for Wild ones and widely acknowledged as the heart and soul of the natural landscaping movement. Thanks to generous donations from Lorrie, we have been able to keep the registration price the same since 2004 and are able to bring you Douglas Tallamy as keynote speaker this year.

Saturday, October 15

Keynote speaker: Douglas Tallamy, author

of Bringing Nature Home

Cardinal Stritch University

8:45 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. (Doors open at 8)

$25 in advance, $30 at the door

Register online www.for-wild.org

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Urban Ecology Center pictures are taken from website by permission, along with the info graphic content. The others pictures are taken by sarynn Anderson

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-Freddi

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Freddi Zeiler was an amazing kid who, at the age of 14, want-ed to help kids learn to give to charities and to be able to tap into kids’ natural instinct to help others. She came up with the idea to produce a chil-dren’s book that provides kids with a “how to” way to collect and donate money to their favorite charities. Her book, A Kid’s Guide to Giving, covers three important issues: Why you should give, how to choose a charity, and how to contribute money, time or things. The book outlines over 100 chari-ties for kids to consider in the categories of children, animals and environment. She has gone on to college, recently graduating from University of California, Berkeley and started her own business, a mail house that puts together mailings for non-profi ts.

Who’s FREDDI?Amazing Kids! interview by Celine Tien, amazing-kids.org

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Q: What inspired you to compile your research on charities into an actual book?

Q: Did charity work affect your management of your personal money? How so?

FZ: I wrote my book out of frustra-tion. I received my fi rst computer for Christmas when I was 13 and it opened the world up to me. I want-ed to start donating my allowance, as I mentioned before, and because I didn’t have very much money, I had to narrow it down to one chari-ty to donate to. I was determined to fi nd the perfect cause! I started by making lists of the pros and cons

FZ: Yes! I wanted to donate half of my allowance every month, so that took some budgeting on my part. But my parents were happy to give me money for chores, so I could al-ways earn a little extra if I needed it. When I was 15, my mom helped me open my fi rst savings account at the bank. Putting money directly into my bank account was great, because it’s easier to save money when it’s not sitting right in front of you, tempting you to spend it.

of different organizations and came up with a set of questions I would email and ask them. For example, “How much of each dollar donated goes directly to the causes?” These questions became the basis for my entire book. Going back to my orig-inal mission of fi nding the perfect charity for me, I ultimately chose save The Children, because they gave me the opportunity to help

Q: Describe how a mentor has been infl uential?

FZ: My mom was always so sup-portive about everything I did. she’d give me rides to beach cleanups, pet adoption days at the farmer’s market, and she’d often match my donations. From a young age, my parents raised me to be a considerate, responsible person. I know that they are very proud that I got so involved within charity work.

“Giving back made me feel like I was really a part of my community.”

Q: What advice would you give kids looking to donate to a charity while managing their allowance?

FZ: Don’t let money stop you. When I was younger, I started donating some of my allowance, which is an easy way to do it. One thing that I did when I started donating to save the Children was to ask my parents to match my monthly donation. It cost $30 a month to sponsor a child in need, and I gave $15 ev-ery month from my allowance, and so I would be able to afford it, my mom chipped in the other $15 each month, because she liked what I was doing so much. But there are other

ways, too. You can participate in a sponsored event, like a walkathon, or a fundraiser like a car wash. Be-yond that, you can give your time and energy by volunteering (if the organization allows volunteers un-der age 18) or helping with efforts to collect donated items, such as canned goods or warm clothes for those in need. And even though you personally don’t have a lot of money, there are probably times of the year when you have a little extra cash, like around your birthday and

the holidays. When you get these money gifts, you might decide to share the wealth! I’m sure a lot of parents are happy to help out too, you just have to ask!

other kids. I loved that I was help-ing an actual person! I knew just where every penny of my gift was going.

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Q: After publishing your book, what would you say is the most rewarding thing that has result-ed from it?

Q: As a 14 year old committing to community service, what were some of the things you did around your community?

FZ: Other than picking up trash around my neighborhood, I worked a lot of weekends at a pet adoption booth at the Farmer’s Market. I would be paired up with a dog for the day, and try to get him or her adopted. If I couldn’t fi nd a home

FZ: The more I started giving, the more I realized that there were other things I cared about, too, not just in my community. One day, I decided to donate some money out of my weekly allowance to a global cause. I knew that I wanted to help other kids, kids who didn’t live in a place like I did and didn’t get to do the things that I took for granted, like going to school, liv-ing in a house, or being able to go to the doctor. The only differences between us are the places we were born, and that didn’t seem fair. The

Q: How did your giving grow over the years? How can a person like me start giving?

FZ: I have to say the most reward-ing thing that happened to me was when Bill Clinton wrote about me in his own book Giving. I will al-ways consider that one of my great-est achievements.

fi rst step is choosing a cause or is-sue, so look into your heart. What is really important to you, animals, the environment, helping hungry people? second, you’ll want to get the facts about the issue that con-cerns you. If it’s animals, what is the most pressing need in your area? Once you know about your cause, it will be easier to fi nd chari-ties that do that kind of work.

Q: Was there a specifi c incident, or experience that prompted your zeal for charity work at age 14?

FZ: When I was 12, my family moved out of the city and drove to a small town in mountains where our new home was. Everything about it was different. There were no sidewalks. I’d fall asleep to the chirping of crickets. I loved it. My mom often took me and my sisters on hikes through the canyon, and when I found a piece of trash, I’d pick it up and put it in a trash can, or when I heard that someone had

lost a pet, I’d help look for it. I even created a lost and found pet web site to let owners post pictures of their animals, and would volunteer at the local Animal Adoption Day at the Farmers Market. It made me feel like I was really a part of my community and I could actually see the difference my good deeds were making. People around me began to notice what I was doing, too, and wanted to help.

Q: Do you have a particular charity that truly speaks to you?

FZ: Yes! My favorite charity at the moment is the natural Resources Defense Council. They’re a great charity that fi ghts in the courts to defend wildlife and the environ-ment, the ones standing up to oil companies when they try to drill for oil in the Arctic national Wildlife Refuge. They work to keep our wa-ter and our air clean. Just check out nRDC.org or saveBiogems.org.

“The more I started giving, the more I realized that there were other things I cared about.”

for the pet, I’d call all my friends and family and try to get them to adopt the dog. I’m a sucker for a homeless pet. I currently have a dog and a cat – both rescued from shelters. Cuddling in bed with them is the best part of my day.

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“Our words can have power that we don’t think we have in everyday life. Anyone can make a difference!”

SVITAKon the outside, Adora Svitak may seem like any other 12 year old kid. She loves reading Harry Potter. She loves hanging out with her friends and family. And she has big dreams for her future. But at only 12 years old, Adora is also an author of 3 books, a young educator teaching classes all over the country, and an engaging public speaker!

Adora’s passion for learning and teaching others is remarkable. And her desire to inspire other kids to make a difference is very encouraging! Starting as a writer at only 4 years old and turning into a successful educator and speaker makes Adora a pretty incredible 12 year old!As a young educator, Adora sees a lot of changes com-ing up for the way education is run. “I think education is headed in an online direction,” she states. Also valuing the importance of face to face interaction, Adora thinks the best way for education would be a hybrid of traditional teaching and online teaching. Adora also hopes that education grows to be-come more universal. “I hope that education,particularly, quality edu-cation, becomes more open and ac-cessible to everyone, not just those who can afford private schools or good neighborhoods. Adora’s

adoraexperience as a young educator led her into the world of public speaking. By speaking to students, Adora picked up more confi dence and more skills to dive deeper into speaking publically! “one of my fi rst appearances to a large crowd of adults was when I spoke at the Keller Williams Realty company’s ‘Inspirational Breakfast’

program,” Adora says. from then on Adora’s success only grew expo-nentially larger. Adora recalls how her biggest and most memorable speaking engagement was at the TED conference, a three day con-vention fi lled with riveting speakers from Bill Gates to James Cameron. “I was thrilled and honored,” Adora says about speaking on the same stage as Gates and Cameron! “When you listen to Nobel Prize winners speak, walk past CEos of multinational companies, and converse with founders, activists, and great mathematicians, it re-ally makes you wonder: what am I doing here?”Her speech, “What Adults Can Learn from Kids,” was a charismatic speech on how adults should learn to dream and imag-ine the way children do! Drawing many laughs and applauds from the crowd, Adora was a natural up on the stage.”

-amazing-kids.org

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volunteerOPTIONS

milwaukeeORgANIZATIONS

Here are some organiza-tions within the Milwaukee area. Each one is focused on ways to help those who need it most, whether it’s provid-ing food for or rebuilding the community. Find out which program is right for you and your family!

Burdock BrigadeThe Burdock Brigade engages in hands on restoration activities- re-moving exotic invasive plants and propagating and planting native species in order to preserve and re-store native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Join the Burdock Bridgade with help from the Washington Park senior Center particpants.

The city of Milwaukee has many opportunities of volunteering for all ages. There are many different ways to volunteer your time and as a parent, it’s important to find a program that your child can enjoy as well as be educational. For younger children, you may want to start off simple, getting your kids familiar with your community through hands on experiences. The Ur-ban Ecology Center has many programs for children, getting them directly involved with Milwaukee’s natural surroundings, showing kids the different ways of giving. Kids can then figure out what interests them and as a parent, you can help them expand their services, or even come up with their own ways of giving back to the community.

Youth Scientists Club The Young scientists Club is an ex-cellent opportunity for kids to learn more about science and nature. Every day jumps right in to learn something new, doing all sorts of stuff like taking care of our animals, hiking through the urban wilder-ness, and learning about birds, sci-ence and research!

forestry fridays Help us work to improve the health of our forest in Riverside Park and the Rotary Centennial Arboretum! Join the Urban Ecology Center Forestry specialist to meet friends, have fun and make a lasting, posi-tive impact on the earth while we remove invasives, plant trees, and control erosion in the park.

Volunteer orientations- Want to spend more time outside? Looking to work alongside ecologically-minded people? Interested in sharing your gifts with the community? Come find out how you can contribute your time and talents to the Urban Ecology Center, urbanecolgycenter.org.

Hope House-hopehousemke.org

st Benedict’s Meal-stbensmilwaukee.org

Miwaukee Christian Center-mccwi.org

Habitat for Humanity-milwaukeehabitat.org

Milwaukee Rescue Mission-milmission.org

dearCONTRIBUTERS

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There are many people and organizations that have con-tributed to this subscription of MIAD bridge, 2011. I would

like to thank you all for allow-ing me to share your stories and information to make this magazine possible. I believe volunteering is an important part of growing and learning, no matter what age you may be. I think that through these stories and articles they will

Molly - It’s hard for anyone to lose someone close and by sharing your story helps support those who have lost someone, encouraging them that there are positive steps you can take to move forward, for yourself and those around you.

Freddi Zeiler - It is powerful feel-ing knowing that you have made a difference in someone’s life. Fred-di’s courage and devotion is moving and encouraging, showing us that even at age fourteen, you can make an impact for the better.

Urban Ecology Center - Thanks Jeff McAvoy for your permission to use your website and pictures. There are so many great things the Urban Ecology Center does for the city of Milwaukee. MIAD bridge ap-preciates your contribution in shar-ing some of the things you do for your community, and give advice on how to live a little bit more eco friendly. -urbanecologycenter.

Amazing Kids! - specialy thanks to Alyse Rome who gave me per-mission to use Amazing Kids! arti-cles. The information and opportu-nities you provide for youth as well as parents is useful, helpful and an excellent way for kids to find ways to share their interests and talents with others. I highly reccommend for encourgment and support. -amazingkids.org

Audra Stivak - A lot of kids have hobby’s and interests that can be shared with others for encourag-ment and support. It is wonderful to see you sharing what makes you happy and supporting kids to know that they can make a difference.

help to encourage parents to get their children involved in volunteering, as well as gain a new perspective to those who

need our help. I hope that by sharing these contributions to those interested in making a difference, it will gain ex-tra support for all of you, and give you the satisfaction of encouraging the act of giving to our new supporters. THANK yOu!

specialTHANKS

VoLUNTEERING foR YoUTH