Today Bear Breaks Chicago team had their first service day. We volunteered at Chicago Dream Center. A woman named Marisol enlightened us about the community we were serving and who exactly we were supporting. The Chicago Dream Center is located in the Palmer Square neighborhood.  Marisol informed us that the neighborhood had the highest homicide rate in all of America. The Chicago Dream Center is in the center of it and provides shelter for men who are searching for jobs and homeless and provide them mentorship.  Another mission that the Chicago Dream Center acts on is to stop human trafficking. Many volunteers go out each night from 10pm-4am and reach out to the women.  If the women decide to get help, they come back to the Dream Center and get rehabilitation.  The rehabilitation lasts for several months and they are also offered an opportunity to help out in the non-profit.

Today the Bear Breaks service team, got to help out the Chicago Dream Center by preparing for their relocation of their resale consignment shop.  All proceeds will go back into their mission. We had teams repainting walls, ripping up walls, and moving furniture. Marisol kept on emphasizing the huge impact we were making because they are always in need of hands and this gets them to a step closer to their vision.

It was amazing to see my team work so hard and enjoying every bit of their time.  I saw change in their hearts when touring the facility. And a sense of compassion and determination for a better future during our reflection.
As individuals we have a ways to go, but as a team, we can accomplish anything.

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.”
Harriet Tubman