Hi from Jacob!

Jacob—

My name is Jacob H and this is my first YNIA trip. This years destination was Green Bay, Wisconsin (Cheese Country) A.K.A Packer Nation. So far on this trip we have spread the influence of the amazing Patriots over packer territory. While we all split up into groups and go out and help out different sites, we all unite in solidarity to help out people. My group and I (Lisa Shelly Lindsey Hannah Belle and Christian) are all volunteering at the NEW Community Shelter. The work we are doing there is some gardening and possibly some indoor cleaning or setting up meals. So far we have mainly gardened. We have planted many tomatoes, squash, melons, weird decorative peppers, and many many MANY flowers. It has been an amazing and eye opening experience that I am extremely happy to be on. We met a man named Otis who told us his life story. It really helped us or at least myself open our hearts to the cause. I find myself hoping to do more for the shelter and the people volunteering and living there. As for the life outside of the sites. It is very fun and unifying. It doesn’t seem like anyone here is a stranger to be exact. I must’ve made at least 4 friends with the other states group. We sometimes gather (even the adults) inside a blue sewer like tube that surprisingly doesn’t smell to bad, and even though against the words of Deacon Chris, there are no spiders. The team of program directors John Aimee and Joshua have done an amazing job of banding everyone together. They keep us busy but in fun ways. There are some down sides to YNIA such as waking up at 6:30am but maybe that’s cause im not a morning person, although the beautiful singing from Deacon Chris does make it easier to wake up non-crankily. Overall I would say that YNIA is a beautiful experience that would most likely make everyone that partakes in it a happy person and I believe that it would open up the minds of said people as well, I know it has for me.

Hi from Cora!

Cora---

My name is Cora G and this is my second YNIA trip. I am a part of the group working at a St. Vincent De Paul’s warehouse. Back home Salvation Armies are much more common to see, but out here the equivalent is St. Vincent De Paul’s. Their goal is to reduce the waste in our environment through repurposing and reusing. Literally, you will not find a single trash can in that building no matter how hard you try. They are very passionate about finding a purpose for everything and everything gets recycled sooner or later. No matter how beat up something looks, a greater purpose can be found for everything. Here in the store, you can find anything under the sun for fair prices that give those less fortunate a chance to get their necessities like clothing, but also secondary items like toys for their children. Other décor and miscellaneous entertainment products can be found here as well to help people create a much more home-y environment in their situation. It’s almost like a sense of security. Like their house is permanent in a tough situation. Products from all over are collected and stored in the warehouse to be refurbished and then sold in the store, or shipped off to be recycled or brought to other nearby stores. Our job is to organize the products that come in, determine whether it should be recycled or not, and put them on racks to be sold if so. It’s so rewarding to see people walking around the store and purchasing the things you helped price and place out there. From a distance, see the difference you’re making in these people’s lives. I can’t wait to do more.

Hi from Emma H!

Emma---

My name is Emma H, and this is my third YNIA trip. My group is working at House of Hope, an organization here in Green Bay that provides housing for single mothers ages 18-24, as well as their children. House of Hope has been running since 1996, and the current building they are using was opened in 2001. On our first day, we cleaned the basement, lighting fixtures, the play yard, and began preparation for a children’s carnival on Friday. Today we continued this work, as well as cleaning vans, doing laundry, and sorting books and clothes. There were some challenges with cleaning out closets and untangling yarn, but although our site is not what most of us expected, we are all working hard and helping out wherever we can.