385 Youth Volunteers Head to Wisconsin for Home Repairs

This summer, the small community of Wausau, Wisconsin, is getting a big boost from an army of helpers with hammers and paintbrushes.

Up to 385 young volunteers from across the country will descend on Marathon County during the week of July 13-18 for an ambitious mission. They're partnering with Habitat for Humanity to complete critical home repairs for 60 local families who need a hand.

The volunteers come through Group Mission Trips, a Colorado nonprofit that connects youth groups with communities needing help. This year, Wausau is the only Wisconsin community selected for the program.

"We are really excited that they have selected Wausau," said Tiffany Arnold, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Wausau. The volunteers will stay at Newman Catholic Schools and fan out to homes within 30 minutes of the campus.

Most projects focus on exterior work: building wheelchair ramps, fixing decks and porches, adding skirting to mobile homes, and refreshing paint jobs. These aren't luxury upgrades but essential repairs that keep homes safe and livable.

The program especially helps aging homeowners who've maintained their properties for decades but can no longer climb ladders or swing hammers. As both the homes and their owners age together, small problems can spiral into big safety hazards.

The Ripple Effect

When volunteers fix one family's crumbling porch or build a ramp for someone with mobility challenges, the benefits spread far beyond that single household. These repairs help preserve the community's entire housing stock, keeping neighborhoods stable and homes occupied by the people who've lived there for years.

Arnold emphasized that keeping seniors safely in their homes prevents displacement and maintains the fabric of the community. Every repaired deck and fresh coat of paint represents someone who gets to stay in the place they've called home.

The program is still accepting applications from residents who need help, with a deadline of February 15. Arnold encouraged anyone with maintenance projects they can't handle to apply without hesitation.

Whether it's a senior who can't manage upkeep anymore or a family facing repairs beyond their budget, the program evaluates each situation to provide the most help possible. In one concentrated week, hundreds of young people will learn about service while dozens of families get the safe, sturdy homes they deserve.