Family Ties in Door County, Wisconsin

Door County is no stranger to Greenheart Exchange; the Work and Travel department has been placing participants in this Wisconsin peninsula for years now. With Midwestern values and chill attitudes, Door County has become a popular destination for participants, and I can see why!

I have a particular soft spot for Door (that’s what the locals call it!) because my family has made it our local vacation destination for the last few years. So on my most recent trip, I decided to spend some time visiting with participants, chatting with host organizations, and undertaking a fun volunteer project, where we created ‘get well’ cards for children in the hospital.

Since I was on a family weekend getaway, my mother, Diane, was with me on this visit. It is rare that I get to blend my private and professional lives, especially with my family, and it did not disappoint!  My mom got to meet participants from Jamaica, Bulgaria, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Ukraine, and Romania. While we were volunteering together and drawing fun pictures on our cards, my mom got to ask these young people questions and learn more about their perception of the United States through the lens of Door County.

Our visitations were short but impactful. Most importantly, I’m glad I got to share my professional life with some really important people in my personal life, and my mom got to meet such amazing participants!

Getting to share your passions with your family is an amazing experience! Want to have a fabulous summer in the United States that you can tell your loved ones about? Check out the Work and Travel program.