Natalie's Everyday Heroes: JB's Furniture helps Young Men on a Mission

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Joel Breen owns a furniture store on Milwaukee's northwest side. He's been filling homes with furniture for the last 20 years. But it's not all business. Breen is also giving back, helping young men achieve their dreams.

He's owned JB's Furniture since 2004, and it is a family business.

"My boys are here. Josh is the manager," Breen said. 

He runs it with his three sons, Josh, Jeremy and Johnny.

"And we're all JBs, so it's wonderful," he laughed.

But more than that, it’s a community business.

"I've never seen anyone go broke giving," he said of his philosophy. 

The floor at the store is packed with all kinds of furniture, but it's the walls that tell the story.

"So, this was actually one of the first gifts we gave Mr. Joel," said Dennis Gaynor, Jr., pointing to a framed jersey. "I would say he has a heart of gold."

Gaynor is the founder of Young Men on a Mission, or YMOM. It provides after school mentoring, summer work training, and sports programs for Milwaukee kids.

"As soon as he came through the door and was talking to me about it, I was sold," Breen said of meeting Gaynor and learning about YMOM.

Breen was one of YMOM's first supporters.

"And we just walked up. I told him what we were about and told him we were raising funds for our football program at the time," Gaynor recalled of that first meeting.

"We knew there was a need for mentorship and guidance in that area," Breen added.

That was eight years ago. Breen has been giving time, money and ideas ever since.

"Mr. Joel is definitely one of those MVPs," Gaynor said.

Dewayne Gaynor and De'myen Dixon are both YMOM members and students at Ronald Reagan High School.

"We have someone looking over our shoulder and guiding us the right way," Dixon said of his experience. 

"We can actually have these things and dream big," explained Dewayne Gaynor, who's also Dennis's son.

"That's why YMOM exists. Is to help you find your pathway in life," Gaynor said of his mission.

That's something Breen knows all about.

"My wife always says, my agent told me it was a good career move," he said with a laugh.

He hasn't always owned a furniture store.

"I was David Copperfield's illusion manager in Las Vegas. I'm from out in Las Vegas," he said.

Trading in cheering crowds to cheer on Milwaukee kids and working his own kind of magic.

YMOM's success is no illusion.

"So, when I see those growths, it just gives me joy to see that what we're doing is actually working," Gaynor said.

"They always say you should be a happy giver, and I am a happy giver. It really gives me such a great feeling," Breen said.

Breen has worked with numerous Milwaukee organizations, including Toys for Tots, Hunger Task Force and Goodwill. For more information on Young Men on a Mission, click here.

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].