Milwaukee City Wire

Milwaukee Recreation has been utilizing the Lions Quest program to engage students in service learning projects. Service learning, as defined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, involves "a teaching method that engages students in solving problems within their schools and communities as part of their academic studies."

In 2013, Milwaukee Recreation introduced Lions Quest, a program focusing on self-confidence, conflict resolution, and goal-setting with a service-learning aspect. Initially, over 250 young people participated in projects involving organizations like the Wisconsin Humane Society and the Hunger Task Force. Recently, JaTerrance Young noted that 159 Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) students took part in Lions Quest projects at 11 sites.

Rick Little founded the original program in 1975 after consulting educators to help peers develop skills and build character. It later expanded under the support of Lions Club International starting in 1984. The program spread to various areas including Brown Deer and Greendale by the early '90s.

The Lions Club has contributed significantly with more than $20 million awarded through grants to foster these programs globally. Mike Buscemi played a crucial role by co-founding Quest International and helping establish programs across five continents.

When Milwaukee adopted Lions Quest in 2013, one notable project involved painting city garbage cans for neighborhood beautification alongside Alderman Joe Davis Sr. “The murals I’ve seen on the containers are creative and amazing,” Davis commented.

Recent projects include visits by LaFollette School students to a memory care facility where they interacted with residents through games and conversations. Meanwhile, at Lincoln Center of the Arts Community Learning Center, students focused on mental health awareness post-Covid-19 through interviews and events.

Helen Hamilton recounted discovering Lions Quest during an out-of-state conference. She saw potential benefits for addressing after-school issues within her district. "We have been successfully implementing the program for five years," Hamilton stated about its presence in middle schools and select K-8 after-school sites.

Hamilton explained that each site must have at least 20 participants who undergo training sessions twice annually before engaging in curriculum-based activities weekly. The first semester emphasizes Social Emotional Learning while the second focuses on Service Learning.

Hamilton also highlighted positive outcomes from participating sites: "More positive leaders are emerging... Overall attendance has increased... Over 600 students have received required service learning credit."

This year’s focus at Lincoln Center was on teen mental health post-pandemic impact. Projects included creating affirmation cards displayed publicly and organizing a hygiene drive for those needing basic care products.

At LaFollette Elementary's project aimed towards community seniors taught youth compassion through interaction with memory care facility residents who shared their diverse professional backgrounds.

“The youth learned about being compassionate,” noted LaFollette CLC's summary statement regarding treating adults with respect regardless of ability or condition.