Changing lives through community connections

For the past 11 years, Marquette University has partnered with The United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County to help provide services to hundreds of underserved members of the Milwaukee area community.

Project Homeless Connect is a national initiative that provides resources including blood pressure checks, vaccinations, dental services, barber and hair salon services, legal support, and more, all in one location. This year there will be 80 different service providers available to those in need.

Kelsey Otero, director of community engagement at Marquette University, expects more than 600 guests, most of them from the Milwaukee metro area.

"It's amazing to see how many students, staff, faculty and clinics participate in the program," Otero says. "I think they provide a lot of value, but they also receive a lot of value from participating. As a Jesuit university, we talk about the Universal Apostolic Preferences, and one of them is walking with the poor and marginalized. I cannot think of an event or program that has a better connection to that than Project Homeless Connect."

Volunteers

Dr. Kristin Haglund

Dr. Kristin Haglund, professor in the College of Nursing, has been representing Marquette on the board of the Milwaukee Continuum of Care since 2015. The Milwaukee Continuum of Care is a consortium of homeless service providers, advocates and government dedicated to ending homelessness in Milwaukee. This will be her fourth year volunteering at Project Homeless Connect.

"This event is important because it's an opportunity for people to gather in fellowship and get to know each person to person," Haglund says. "It's a time for shared humanity. It's not about two groups - one with needs and one with resources. Project Homeless Connect provides the opportunity to spend time with people who can be living really different lives, but who all share humanity."  

X'Zandria Weil and Kelsey Otero

From faculty sharing their expertise to students wanting to give back, all types of volunteers are needed to make the event successful.

X'Zandria Weil is a first-year graduate student majoring in student affairs in higher education, but it's her second year volunteering as a personal shopper and assistant for attendees.

"I love serving, and what I care about the most is making sure that the people I have the honor of serving, feel appreciated and know that they matter when I'm helping them," Weil explains. "Volunteering at this event brings me immense joy."

Krystina Kohler, financial stability portfolio manager at United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County, says it's been a pleasure working with Marquette on this event for over a decade.

"I am constantly astonished at Marquette University's level of service and leadership - the generosity of opening up its space, the time and talents staff and volunteers dedicate to serving people experiencing homelessness and providing servant leadership with true kindness at every step," Kohler says.

"Even if you're scared to step out of your comfort zone and serve, just do it," Weil says. "You won't regret it."

This year's Project Homeless Connect event takes place Thursday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marquette's Memorial Alumni Union, 1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Anyone interested in volunteering or getting involved with future Project Homeless Connect events, please contact Otero at [email protected].

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