PRESS RELEASE: IOWA LAKES STUDENTS SERVE ON SPRING BREAK MISSION TRIP TO CHICAGO

During Iowa Lakes Community College’s spring break, students from Iowa Lakes’ Laker Life campus ministry spent their week serving others on a mission trip to Chicago.

Rather than taking a traditional spring break, students volunteered with organizations supporting underserved communities, including children and individuals experiencing homelessness.

Each morning, students served at Breakthrough Ministries, where they helped prepare and serve meals, organize clothing for the women’s boutique and assist with the organization’s fresh market, which provides food for residents in need. Breakthrough Ministries also offers meals and overnight shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood.

In the afternoons, students volunteered at By The Hand Club For Kids, an after-school program serving children in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Iowa Lakes students assisted with homework, played games and spent time encouraging and mentoring children in the program.

“I really enjoyed the opportunity to serve a different community and grow closer to God alongside my fellow college students,” said Jazmine Besaw, an Associate of Arts major from Estherville. “I loved getting the opportunity to help with the after-school ministry. It was truly a very rewarding experience. I think it taught me a lot about how you never know what someone else is going through, and also about loving like Jesus and truly serving His people.”

“It was a rewarding experience to be part of something so meaningful,” said Karston Trask, a business major from Spirit Lake. “I believe that God was at work through our group and utilized us for good. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of others. I especially enjoyed helping at the men’s shelter by cooking for them and getting to talk with some of the men experiencing homelessness.”

Madi Conrad, a freshman volleyball player from Crane, Missouri, said the trip exceeded her expectations.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but I’m so glad I was called to go,” Conrad said. “I loved it. We had such a great kindergarten class and great teachers. It was a blast. I loved getting to sit down with the ladies at the shelter and just talk with them.”

Rylie Miller, an Associate of Arts major from Fertile, summed up the experience simply:

“It was such an amazing opportunity to do what I love in a different way: grow closer to God and serve others.”

Photo Caption:
Members of the Iowa Lakes Community College Laker Life campus ministry pose outside the Breakthrough shelters during their spring break mission trip to Chicago. Front row, from left: Karston Trask of Spirit Lake, Joshua Mahin of Dunnell, Jazmine Besaw of Estherville, Victoria Wall of East Dubuque, Madison Conrad of Crane, Missouri, Rylie Miller of Fertile, Sydney Sickelka of Primghar, Riley Sorenson of Spirit Lake, Soli Luchman of Broomfield, Colorado, Seth Colton of Dunedin, Florida, Drew Carlson of St. Ansgar, Ruby Roehler of Estherville, Alyssa Schorg of Remsen and Antonio Daniels of Chicago. Not pictured: Brett Fuelberth of Spirit Lake.

For more information on Laker Life campus ministry, contact Brett Fuelberth at 712-362-7963.