Staff spotlight

Setting course for Siberia: 'I was made to do this work'

When Jeff Brake was a U-M undergraduate, he took Russian to fulfill a language requirement, enrolling for no other reason than it sounded interesting. Thirteen years later, it has proven handy, if not necessary, for Brake during his summer travels.

Jeff Brake (standing, left) teaches an English class for 12-14-year-old children at Camp Ark in Tyumen, Russia. (Photo courtesy Jeff Brake)

Brake has spent parts of three summers volunteering at Camp Ark in Tyumen, Russia. This summer, he returned to the camp for nine weeks to lead a mentorship group. He also taught intermediate English to almost 300 Russian children, ages 9-18. Brake served as the team leader for a group of Americans returning to the camp.

"I believe that everyone has a purpose, and a big part of my purpose is to do this work in Russia," says Brake, a 1994 U-M graduate with a degree in linguistics. "One of my favorite quotes is, A ship in the harbor is safe; but that is not what ships are made for.' Ships are made to sail, and I know I was made to do this work."

Brake is director of the Campus Information Centers. His staff of 30 students answers questions about U-M or the surrounding area via phone, e-mail, fax, in person or on the Web site. Brake also supervises Web services for the Division of Student Affairs, helping to manage about 50 sites for the University.

Brake learned of Camp Ark while serving as a youth leader at Knox Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor. He went for two weeks in 2001 and 2002, and dedicated most of this past summer to the camp, located in southern Siberia. Brake says the camp gives children the chance to be kids while receiving a Christian education.

Brake has become close to many children at the camp, and plans to return next summer. He befriended one camper, Igor (pronounced eager, Brake notes), who wanted to attend college, but did not think it realistic. Brake received a letter from Igor last week saying the 16-year-old will be accepted to a local university with a full scholarship, as long as he passes the entrance exams.

"It is a really powerful experience to go over there and see how much of a difference you can make in a kid's life," says Brake, adding that as the youngest member of his family, he considers children like Igor to be his little brothers. "Over there, kids aren't used to people investing in them or caring about what they become."

Brake plans to volunteer at the camp again next summer. He also is thinking about a trip to Russia during Winter Break.

"Our vocation is really important to all of us, but we can't forget our avocation, as well," he says.

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