Building The Future Together

Recently, nearly 200 people joined Lad Lake at the historic Pritzlaff Building located at 311 North Plankinton Avenue in Milwaukee’s Third Ward, for the annual Bright Lights Big Dreams Gala, celebrating 19 young people who have truly beaten the odds. Hunzinger Construction Company was proud to be one of the primary sponsors the event that was attended by Hunzinger Executive Vice President and Lad Lake board member Jim Hunzinger and his wife Joyce along with other Hunzinger employees.

In total, Lad Lake was able to raise $65,000 to help former foster youth pursue their dreams of education and a better life. Highlights of the evening included incredible musical talent and amazing personal stories of courage, triumph and inspiration.

Larry Davis, a past Lad Lake resident and scholarship award recipient, shared his story at the event. Larry was put into the foster care system at 2 years old and after 14 years in foster care “aged out” of the system and ended up homeless at 17. With Lad Lake’s help, he refocused his efforts on school, graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in Social Work and is now pursuing a Master’s Degree at UW-Milwaukee while working for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. He is dedicating his life’s work to improving the foster care system.

Another scholarship beneficiary, Lucy was in and out of foster care throughout her childhood that was fraught with abuse and drug addiction. With Lad Lake’s help she lived at their residential facility, received therapy and began attending college. She is studying psychology and is sharing her story with others girls spreading hope by her message that “girls can heal”.

WTMJ Channel 4, highlighted both of their stories after the event. To hear more, click here.

If you were unable to attend, or you would like to do more to help young people attain their dreams of higher education, visit the Lad Lake donation website or call the development office at (414) 339-8910.

For more than 100 years, Lad Lake has provided highly individualized care for at-risk youth and families in Southeastern Wisconsin. Focusing on core areas of Education, Independent Living, Mentoring, and Residential Services, all programs share the goal of life skills development and successful independence in our communities. Serving more than 1,800 youth and families a year, Lad Lake continues its commitment to changing lives and guiding youth. Lad Lake has four locations in Metro-Milwaukee area which include alternative schools, group homes, independent living services, spiritual care, and mentoring. Programming helps children overcome trauma, abuse and mental health problems, improve their educational attainment, develop positive social and vocational skills and learn to become productive, self-sufficient adults.