Wisconsin Lutheran College: serving the Milwaukee community

The Serve2Lead Impact Challenge at Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) began in 2019 as a way to encourage students to make a difference in the local  community. Many Milwaukee-area groups and nonprofits are facing difficult times right now, and they need support, encouragement, and resources to overcome those challenges. 

For this year’s program, students in WLC’s Christian Leadership Certificate Program formed three- to eight-person teams and created Servant Leadership Impact Plans to influence their community in a positive way. Selected teams each gave a short presentation on March 6, 2021, pitching their plans in a “Shark Tank”-style format in front of a live audience on WLC’s campus. A panel of judges offered comments, questions, and critiques to each team.

Thanks to donors and corporate sponsors, three teams received grants at this year’s event; they will be implementing their plans throughout the summer.

• The Project Bright Horizons team received a $5,000 grant to build new computers for Lighthouse Youth Center in Milwaukee, which will enhance digital learning
opportunities in the center’s after-school programs. Students at Lighthouse Youth Center will participate with WLC students in the hands-on construction process to spark interest in technology.

• The Hooked on Fishing team was granted $4,000 to host fishing clinics for Milwaukee-area children. Clinic activities will include learning to tie knots, how to cast, how to clean a fish, and more, culminating in a chance to catch fish in a stocked pond. Participants will leave with their own set of fishing gear, and the clinic should spark a new passion for enjoying the outdoors and the sport of fishing.

• The Milwaukee Mentoring team received $3,000 to host football and basketball camps for high school athletes. Following the camps, there will be an ongoing mentorship between camp attendees and WLC student-athletes, who will go through a mentor training program so they can help support the high school
students as they transition to college.