If you've been looking for a way to give this season, The Courage House, a housing shelter and resource center for LGBTQ youth, has a wonderful opportunity that was organized by the staff and kids who are temporarily living in the shelter. 

The group from The Courage House, which is located at 1544 S. 6th St., canvassed their South Side neighborhood with 350 flyers letting their neighbors know they wanted to help grant Christmas wishes. Twenty-one families responded totaling 88 kids – and they have about 20 kids that are yet to be sponsored. 

To sign up to help these South Side kids gets their holiday gift wishes, please go here. Unwrapped gifts should be brought to the Courage House by Dec. 13. Wrapping paper, tags and bows are also in need and can be dropped off at any time.

"We have had amazing support so far, but our goal is to grant them all," says Brad Schlaikowski, executive director of The Courage House.

The Courage House is part of Courage MKE, a collaborative movement to provide housing, resources and services needed for displaced and homeless LGBTQ+ youth in Milwaukee to thrive. The organization also provides scholarships, hygiene care packages and other services for the LGBTQ+ youth of Greater Milwaukee. 

"It’s always been important to us as we opened this house that our residents understand the importance of paying it forward.  So much love went into opening this home for them to have a place they can be proud to call home so we work very hard to teach them the importance of giving back in any way we can," says Schlaikowski. "This year has been difficult for all of us and our residents are hoping that this community project will help bring some well-deserved smiles this holiday season."