United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
Life as a teenager isn’t always easy. But Esther faces even more challenges than the average teen. She was born with spina bifida, and her physical limitations often made her feel left out.
When she was a freshman in high school, she learned about LEAD. The United Way-funded program empowers high school students through Ozaukee County who agree to lead an alcohol, tobacco and drug free-lifestyle through leadership training and prevention programming.
Esther flourished in the program, participating in volunteer projects throughout the community, including visiting patients at nursing homes, serving food to the homeless and making lunches for at-risk kids. She was honored with a Volunteer of the Year Award in 2010 and again in 2011.
Esther is hoping to encourage more people her age to follow in her footsteps and get involved. “As a teenager, it’s easy to lose track of what’s going on around you. But having opportunities to volunteer makes you think about what’s happening to other people and how you can help them.”