Mission Trip Opportunities

Welcome to this 2008 edition of UCC Mission Trip Opportunities.
You may also Download and save this information:

Word Document Format (MS Word required)
PDF Format

What lies in front of you is a journey –

 of selecting the location and type of ministry for your group;
 of mutual giving and receiving of gifts of talents and skills;
 of crossing boundaries to meet new people immersed in different social/economic/cultural settings;
 of experiencing God's presence and action in new ways.

Lilla Watson, a member of an aboriginal community in Australia, reminds us of the transforming possibilities of a mission trip.

"If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together."

With our lives bound together, mission trips within the United States are ways in which we can join with others in on-going ministries in various settings and to offer our gifts of talents and skills in a giving and receiving relationship rooted in and witnessing to the love of God. Your group's preparation, action on site, reflection, and follow-up witness and action are all important parts of the mission trip experience.

In this booklet, you will find a variety of settings within the United States which host mission trip groups. I encourage you to work with your group and your congregation so that mission trips are integral to the on-going life and mission of the church. You can use this booklet to contact sites directly to make your mission trip plans.

 You are encouraged to prepare for the mission trip with your group by taking time to learn skills of relating across cultures and differences and to become acquainted with challenges and joys of people in the area you will join in ministry.
 A commissioning and covenant service is included in this booklet to help encourage the involvement of your entire congregation in the faith formation potential of the journey - both as participants are sent and as they are received home with ideas of new possibilities.
 You can use the certificate of participation to help remind participants of their experience and to thank them for their service on behalf of the wider United Church of Christ.

Continue the journey! Start a tradition of mission trips!

Blessings!
Mary Schaller Blaufuss,
Executive for Volunteer Ministries

Introduction

Recording UCC Mission Trip Groups
Table of Contents by State
Index by Type of Ministry Setting
Mission Trip Planning Ideas
Commissioning and Covenant Service

LISTING BY STATE

Arizona

BorderLinks
Cook School for Christian Leadership
Humane Borders

Arkansas
Heifer International - Heifer Ranch

California
All Peoples Christian Center
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM) (Fresno)
Interfaith Community Services

Colorado
Denver Urban Ministries
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection
La Puente Home, Home Repair Service Projects
La Puente Home, Service Opportunities
San Luis Valley Habitat for Humanity (Alamosa)

District of Columbia
Harvest of Hope
Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP)

Florida
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection
Harvest of Hope
UCC National Disaster Recovery Florida Conference

Georgia
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection
Harvest of Hope
Koinonia Partners

Hawaii
Lani Kamaha’o Peace Village

Illinois
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection
Rockford Workcamp
Pilgrim Park Camp and Conference Center
Tower Hill Camp and Retreat Center

Kansas
South Central Kansas Tornado Recovery Organization

Kentucky
Community Action Agency
Henderson Settlement
Housing Oriented Ministries (H.O.M.E.S.)
Urban Spirit

Louisiana
New Orleans Association – United Church of Christ
Terrebonne Readiness Assistance Coalition

Maine
H.O.M.E., Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland

Maryland
Brethren Service Center

Massachusetts
Boston Urban Outreach
Heifer International Overlook Farm

Mississippi
Back Bay Mission (Biloxi)
Harvest of Hope

Missouri
Emmaus Homes, Inc. (Marthasville)
Emmaus Homes, Inc. (St. Charles)
Urban Mission Experience at Epiphany
United Church Neighborhood Houses
Shannondale Community Center

New Hampshire
Geneva Point Center
Horton Center

New York
Habitat for Humanity (Buffalo)
Cluster 13, Inc.
Dunkirk Conference Center
Project Hospitality, Inc.
Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP)

North Carolina
Franklinton Center at Bricks

Ohio
Good Works, Inc.
Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship UCC
Washington United Church of Christ

Pennsylvania
Habitat for Humanity (York)
Harvest of Hope
Mensch Mill Camp and Conference Center
Old First Reformed Church (UCC)
The Pittsburgh Project
Urban Service Learning Experience nbsp;
Rhode Island
Irons Homestead Camp and Conference Center
—Providence Experience

South Carolina
Harvest of Hope

South Dakota
RE-MEMBER
Wakonda United Church of Christ

Tennessee
Appalachia Service Project, Inc.
Faithful Advocates Serving Together (F.A.S.T)
Morgan-Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns

Texas
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection
Inman Christian Center
Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries

Vermont
Addison County Community Action Group

Virginia
Harvest of Hope

Washington
Yakama Christian Mission

West Virginia
Appalachian South Folklife Center
Faithful Advocates Serving Together (FAST) (Alderson)

Wisconsin
Pilgrim Center and Retreat Center

Back to Top

INDEX BY TYPE OF MINISTRY SETTING

Border Ministries
BorderLinks (AZ)
Humane Borders (AZ)
Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries (TX)

Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Buffalo (NY)
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland (ME)
Habitat for Humanity of York (PA)
San Luis Valley Habitat for Humanity (CO)

Heifer Project
Heifer International - Heifer Ranch (AR)
Heifer International Overlook Farm (MA)

Miscellaneous
Brethren Service Center (MD)
Emmaus Homes, Inc. (Marthasville & St. Charles, MO)
Franklin Center at Bricks (NC)
Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM) (CA)
Koinonia Partners (GA)

National Disaster Ministries
Back Bay Mission Recovery / Rebuilding (MS)
Community Action Agency (KY)
Kansas – South Central Toronado Recovery (KS)
New Orleans Association – United Church of Christ (LA)
Terrebonne Readiness Assistance Coalition (LA)
UCC National Disaster Recovery (FL)

Native American Ministries
Cook School for Christian Leadership (AZ)
RE-MEMBER (SD)
Yakama Christian Mission (WA)

Outdoor Ministries
Dunkirk Conference Center (NY)
Franklinton Center at Bricks (NC)
Geneva Point Center (NH)
Horton Center (NH)
Iron Homestead Camp and Conference Center (RI)
Lani Kamaha’o Peace Village (HI)
Mensch Mill Camp and Conference Center (PA)
Pilgrim Camp (WI)
Pilgrim Park Conference Center (IL)
Shannondale Community Center (MO)
Tower Hill Camp (IL)
See website for other UCC Outdoor Ministries locations at www.oma-ucc.org/camp-dir.htm

Rural
Addison County Community Action Group (VT)
Appalachia Service Project, Inc. (TN)
Appalachian South Folklife Center (WV)
Cluster 13, Inc. (NY)
Community Action Agency (KY)
Faithful Advocates Serving Together (WV, TN)
Good Works, Inc. (OH)
Harvest of Hope (DC, FL, GA, MS, PA, SC, VA, )
Henderson Settlement (KY)
H.O.M.E., Inc. (ME)
H.O.M.E.S., Inc. (KY)
La Puente Home Repair (CO)
La Puente Social Service (CO)
Morgan-Scott Project for Cooperative Christian Concerns (TN)
Wakonda United Church of Christ (SD)

Urban
All Peoples Christian Center (CA)
Boston Urban Outreach (MA)
Denver Urban Ministries (CO)
Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (CA,CO, FL, GA, IL, TX)
Inman Christian Center (TX)
Interfaith Community Services (CA)
Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship UCC (OH)
Old First Reformed Church UCC (PA)
Pittsburgh Project (PA)
Project Hospitality, Inc. (NY)
Rockford Urban Ministries (IL)
United Church Neighborhood Houses (MO)
Urban Service Learning Experience (PA)
Urban Mission Experience (MO)
Urban Spirit (KY)
Washington United Church of Christ (OH)
Youth Service Opportunities Project (DC, NY)

Back to Top

MISSION TRIP PLANNING IDEAS
1. Gather information. Use this listing to explore the opportunities that are available. Feel free to call the Volunteer Ministries office if you have more questions. Talk to others who have participated in mission trips. What do they suggest? Are there young people or adults from these groups who would be willing to come and talk to your group about their experiences? Hearing first-person stories can generate enthusiasm within your group for the trip you are planning.

2. Select the site. Involve the members of your group in the decision, if possible. Consider these questions: What kind of ministry is your group interested in serving? What excites them? Where would they like to go? Where is there a need? What skills do they have? What new area would they like to explore? Don't forget to ask the host site what age persons can serve. If you are planning an intergenerational trip including children, make sure the host agency will be supportive. There are many ways to involve children in hands-on mission. Partner children with adults as mentors, be patient, and put safety first. Be intentional about finding tasks for children to do. If you want to focus on disaster relief, go to www.ucc.org/volunteer/disaster-recovery-volunteers/index-1.html for the latest information about disasters and volunteer needs.

3. Prepare the participants. Encourage leaders to attend a training event for leading mission trips. Several times a year, Volunteer Ministries sponsors such training events. Call the Volunteer Ministries office (216.736.3214) for more information. Conferences and associations may also sponsor training events. Check with your local office.
Invite the potential participants to come and hear about the trip. Focus on the joy of serving and working side-by-side with others in this life-changing opportunity. Take time for Bible study, prayer, economic justice training, and preparing participants to be flexible, flexible, flexible!

4. Determine a budget. The major categories to consider when determining a budget are transportation, lodging, food, special events (i.e., amusement park, tours, museums), insurance, donation toward materials, and cost for leadership expertise (i.e., crew bosses, adult sponsors). You may find it easier to figure the cost per person, multiply by the number of participants, and then add other discreet costs to it. Transportation costs will depend on whether you rent a van, charter a bus, or fly. Food costs per person per day averages between $6 and $10 when you prepare your own meals. You may wish to plan for at least one dinner out.

5. Raise the funds. Many groups use this task to help build a team spirit among the group members so that they get to know one another and learn how to work together. Building this spirit can help to make the trip more meaningful and fun. Do not let finances be a deciding factor in who is able to participate in the trip. Strive to make the trip as affordable as possible. Find scholarship support, if necessary, so that everyone who wants to go is able to do so.
There are many great fund-raising ideas. Here are a few: service and talent auction, talent show dinner, pledges, gift wrapping service, parents' day out, homemade candy sale, and selling "stock" in the trip.

6. Plan the schedule. Determine the schedule before you depart so that the participants (and their families) know what to expect. Include realistic work hours and free time. Have devotion, Bible study, or worship time every day. Attend worship in the host community if possible.
When you are on the trip, schedule teams to lead worship, shop for food, and prepare meals. Other tasks to assign are: treasurer, photographer, first-aid person, and secretary/correspondent (to send thank-you notes, etc.).

7. Connect with the congregation. Before you leave, plan to have a commissioning service for the participants. When you return, find creative ways for the participants to tell the story of the trip. Use pictures, words, songs, skits, displays, and sermons. In addition, look for local mission projects that the congregation can become involved in to continue to foster the spirit of service that the trip generated.

8. Become advocates for economic and social justice. When you return to your own community, you may want to become advocates who will speak out against the systems that oppress persons and who work to encourage change. For more ideas, contact the Volunteer Ministries office or the Justice and Witness Ministries offices of the United Church of Christ.

Back to Top

COMMISSIONING AND COVENANT SERVICE FOR MISSION TRIP GROUPS AND CONGREGATIONS

Based on John 13: 3-15
(Use this resource to send a group on a mission trip and involve the congregation.)

One: “Then [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.”

Many: As Jesus knelt at the feet of his disciples, so we go to cross boundaries and to become part of the lives of people yet unmet.

One: “Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet’ and Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’”

Many: As Peter received Jesus’ service, so we open ourselves to the gifts of the new people we meet and the new situations we encounter. We open ourselves to the transformation God brings in our own lives through this experience.

One: “So if I [Jesus] have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Many: As Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, so we go to share our gifts of service with others.

One: We gather to send participants of this mission trip on our behalf and in the name of God. We gather to give thanks for this opportunity and to open ourselves to God’s transforming presence and action.

Mission Trip Participants: We are grateful to this congregation for your support during this time of preparation for the trip. While we are away, we promise to represent this congregation with our best efforts. We promise to open ourselves to new insights from this experience. We promise that when we return home that we will share stories with others in a variety of ways. We promise to continue the mission we begin in this trip in our own community and in engagement with the wider world.

Congregation: We are grateful to you who will travel on this trip for your willingness to engage in hands-on expressions of mission on our behalf. We promise to keep you in prayer during this trip. We promise to pray for and with the people you meet and the situations you encounter. We promise to hear and try to understand your stories when you return home. We promise to open ourselves to new insights and possibilities for faithful engagement in own community and with the wider world.

One: Let us pray together:

All: Serving God, You have called and are sending these mission trip participants and this congregation into an engagement with your world in special ways. We ask you to keep members of the trip safe, and to open our hearts to the width and depth of your action in the world. We ask you to continue your transforming work in this congregation that we may see your presence in the world in new ways and join one another in further service to you and your people. Send your Holy Spirit on us, we pray, that we may serve faithfully. All praise to you, O God. Amen.

Back to Top

ARIZONA
BorderLinks (Tucson)

Contact: Trip Coordinator
620 South 6th Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85701
E-Mail: program@borderlinks.org
& Phone: 520.628.8263
Fax: 520-740-0242
Web site: www.borderlinks.org

Work Needed: BorderLinks specializes in experiential education trips to the United States-Mexico border. Groups may request the addition of a service/learning component to the experience.

Time: All year-round. Register at least eight weeks in advance.

Group Size: 10 persons

Minimum Age: Negotiable

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Come with open minds and hearts and a willingness to learn. Housing may include dormitory- style accommodations and/or home stays with families.

Cost: $120/day per person, which covers all programming, translation, housing, meals, leadership, and local transportation; $25 application fee for one day & $50 for multiple days.

Educational/Advocacy Components: A core mission of BorderLinks is to provide groups with learning experiences that are interactive experiential, reflective, and often life-changing.

***************

Cook School for Christian Leadership (Tempe)

Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
708 South Lindon Lane
Tempe, AZ 85281
E-mail: mmcintosh@cookleadershipschool.org
Phone: 480.968-9354 ext: 146
Fax: 480-968-9357 attn. Minta
Web site: www.cookleadershipschool.org

Work Needed: Exterior painting and grounds maintenance. Renovate apartments on Campus.

Project Time: We take teams from September through May.

Group Size: 10–30.

Minimum age: 15 years

Adult to youth ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Participants are housed in the Cook School Conference Center. Tempe is a suburb of Phoenix. Groups are encouraged to visit local reservation churches and participate in campus activities.

Cost: $25 per day per person - includes lodging and meals in the Cook School Conference Center.

Educational/Advocacy Components:
Presentations available on Native American culture and on Cook School and its mission to build leadership in Native American reservation churches

***************

Humane Borders (Tucson)

Contact: Rev. Robin Hoover, Ph.D.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
740 E. Speedway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85719
E-Mail: info@humaneborders.org
Phone: 520.628.7753
Web site: www.humaneborders.org

Work Needed: This is a combination service and educational experience. Volunteers learn about the social, political, economic and theological complexities of border issues with far reaching effects throughout the U.S. Participants actively engage in a life-saving humanitarian effort to maintain water stations in remote desert areas where large numbers of migrants are at risk of dying from dehydration. Tasks may include routine maintenance and cleaning of vehicles and equipment, assembling, painting maintaining water station equipment, picking up trash in fragile desert environments along the border, sewing flags and making flag poles for water station sites, as well as office work including filing, copying, preparingmailings, media research, and maintaining the libraries of articles, videos and CDs.

Time: Welcome all year. Average group stay is 3 or 4 days. Longer stays available.

Group Size: If group is 20 or larger, call to discuss special arrangements.

Minimum Age: High school age

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5/6

Conditions: Housing is in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) fellowship hall and classrooms. Facilities include showers, full kitchen with utensils, meeting space, worship space, 20 cots, washer/dryer for laundry, large screen TV with video and DVD players. Groups provide their own transportation, meals, bedding, towels, toiletries. Some groups may be requested to bring tools, paint brushes, etc. Local resources include: University of Arizona, The Desert Museum, Biosphere 2, Pima Air Museum, Titan Missile Museum, Saguaro National Monument, mountain hiking trails, ski area on Mount Lemon.

Cost: $10 per person per night

Educational/Advocacy Components: Related educational opportunities south of the border (1)
colonias and maquilladoras (2) visit Casa de la Divina Misericordia in Nogales (3) visit/work at an
albergue (shelter) (4) visit Iglesia Sagrada Corazon or Iglesia Sagrada Familia in Agua Prieta (5) visit
Iglesia San Juan (6) visit migrant center in Altar (63 miles south of the border).
****************

Back to Top

ARKANSAS

Heifer International– Heifer Ranch (Perryville)

Contact: Ranch Events Office
55 Heifer Road
Perryville, AR 72126
E-Mail: ranchevents@heifer.org
Phone: 501.889.5124
Fax: 501.889.3164
Web site: www.heifer.org/ranch

Work Needed: Programs are primarily educational and several of the available programs also include service projects such as gardening, composting, tending livestock and maintaining Ranch facilities.

Time: Programs are offered year-round. Week-long programs that include service are offered each spring and summer. Adult programs are offered in the fall.

Group Size: 10 minimum.

Minimum Age: Youth must be sixth graders or older. Adult groups require minimum age of 18.

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Programs primarily take place outdoors. All programs require a good amount of walking.

Cost: Tuition fees vary per program and include programming, lodging and meals.

Educational/Advocacy Components:
Education components vary per program and may include an overnight experience in the Global Village, Challenge Course activities and hands-on activities illustrate Heifer's cornerstones.

***************
Back to Top

CALIFORNIA

All Peoples Christian Center
(Los Angeles)

Contact: Saundra Bryant, Executive Director
822 East 20th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90011
   E-Mail: allpeoples@allpeoplescc.org   Phone: 213.747.6357
Fax: 213.747.0541
Web site: www.allpeoplescc.org or
  www.discipleshomemissions.org

Work Needed: A balance is sought between relationship building and more physical work, such as painting the interior and exterior of the building, maintenance /construction-type work on neighborhood houses, and food program distribution. Groups also work with children and youth within the existing programs of daycare/preschool and after-school programs.

Conditions: Housing is at the First Christian Church of Torrance which is about a 20-25 minute drive southwest of All Peoples. They provide showers, sleeping space, kitchen and gym. Groups do their own cooking.

Cost: $150 registration fee and $7.50 per person daily fee; excluding housing donation.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Impact Discussion allows staff to speak to group about
different programs at the center. Soap-Making/Reality Tour introduces group members to the neighborhood and the soap and lotion making business designed to give young men and women hope for a different future. “Face to Face Sharing” includes individuals sharing from their experience about realities of the context. Some of the topics are immigration, “what it’s like to be a kid,” serving as the body of Christ, poverty. Ideally, “Face to Face Sharing” is arranged for an hour each day.

Back to Top
****************

Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR) (Hollywood))

Contact: DOOR Program National Office
430 West 9th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
E-Mail: door@doornetwork.org
Phone: 303.295.3667
Fax: 303.295.8952
Web site: www.doornetwork.org

Work Needed: DOOR is an urban learning and service program. Many of our service experiences are interactive in nature. Your group might serve food in a soup kitchen, play with homeless children, or work with migrant workers. Other service experiences, however, are more task-oriented. You might help construct or clean housing units that temporarily shelter homeless families.

Time: Year-round. Weeklong and weekend experiences available.

Registration deadlines:
Jan. 15 for Feb. 1 – May 31 trips; March 1 for June 1- Aug. 31 trips; 10 weeks prior for fall/winter trips. If you are interested in coming after the deadline, please call the national office for availability.

Group Size: Groups or combinations of groups totaling 60 participants (summer) and 45 participants (spring/winter/fall).

Minimum Age: 13

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Housing is provided at a local church or in the Hollywood Community House. There are a limited number of bunk beds, otherwise, participants sleep on the floor in sleeping bags. Thin camping mats are ok, but not air mattresses. Each facility has showers and air conditioning.

Cost: Week-long: $275 per participant, Sunday evening through Friday noon. Covers lodging, all meals from Monday morning to Friday evening except Wednesday evening and scheduling logistics. Weekends: $95 per participant.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Evening speakers, group reflection, worship, and Bible
study. We believe processing the experiences of the week is fundamental to learning.

See: Colorado (Denver), Georgia (Atlanta), Illinois (Chicago), Florida (Miami) and Texas (San Antonio) for other DOOR Locations.

Back to Top
************

Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (FIRM, Inc.)

Contact: Sharon Stanley, Executive Director
E-Mail: soulhikr@aol.com
Or Sophia DeWitt, Project Director
E-Mail: sophiad@firminc.org
1940 N. Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93703
Phone: 559.487.1500
Fax: 559.487.1550
Web Site: www.firminc.org

Work Needed: Tutor with Southeast Asian and/or Slavic Refugees learning English and citizenship. Assist with child care co-op and meal programs. Work with children from low-income neighborhoods and refugee families during FIRM’s intensive “Summer Youth Project” (June-July). Special events are held year round.

Time: Year-round, especially during June-July and Spring Break.

Group Size: Up to 25

Minimum Age: 13 years

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Lodging is available at the FIRM office for a nominal fee. FIRM staff can
provide suggestions for lodging with local churches and inexpensive dining at local ethnic
restaurants.

Cost: $5.00 per person per day to cover the cost of FIRM staff preparing activities for your
group.

Educational/Advocacy Component: FIRM staff provide any needed training and support.
   Educational components such as cultural background and neighborhood tours, meals and story sharing
   with newly arrived refugees, Bible study and reflection opportunities can be arranged to fit the desires
   of your group.

Back to Top
****************

Interfaith Community Services (Escondido)

Contact: Marion Franowicz
550-B West Washington Avenue
Escondido, CA 92025
E-Mail: mfranowicz@interfaithservices.org
Phone: 760.489.6380 ext. 221
Fax: 760.740.0837
Web site: www.interfaithservices.org

Work Needed: Food bank organization, pantry cleaning, painting, transitional housing, landscaping.

Time: Yearlong. Contact organization three to six months before trip.

Group Size: 10–15 persons

Minimum Age: 15 years

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Volunteers are housed in local homes and local churches.

Cost: Please call for cost.

Educational/Advocacy Components:
Exposure to how Interfaith offers a full continuum of care for the displaced and underserved.

Back to Top
***************

COLORADO

Denver Urban Ministries
[DenUM] (Denver)

Contact: Carolina Schultz
Urban Education Coordinator
1717 East Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80218
E-Mail: urbaned@denum.org
Phone: 303.350.5062
03.355-4869 ext. 305
Fax: 303.355.3495
Web site: www.denum.org

Work Needed: DenUM’s Urban Education (UE) program offers youth and adult groups the opportunity to explore service and society in an urban setting. In one- to seven-day experiences, projects and educational activities are coordinated with more than 30 area non-profits. Hands-on work might include preparing and serving meals for the homeless; packaging medical supplies for third-world countries; interacting with children struggling with disease, disability or poverty; or creating beautiful urban areas through landscaping projects.

Time: Any time of year.

Group Size: 40 maximum

Minimum Age: 12 years

Conditions: DenUM arranges lodging in local churches. Showers and kitchen facilities provided. Groups are responsible for own transportation.

Cost: $20 per person per day, plus a $100 nonrefundable deposit is required to secure reservation.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Urban Education couples a variety of service opportunities with at least one day in which participants focus on common barriers to self-sufficiency. Mission participants meet one or more homeless speakers who are committed to honest, frank discussion about their experiences and observations.

Further, DenUM’s experiential learning curriculum brings participants into personal relationship with poverty and urban issues through walking tours, poverty simulations and reflective activities. Through service and education, groups develop an awareness of the stereotypes, misconceptions and ongoing local debates surround poverty and homelessness

Back to Top
***************

Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR) (Denver)

Contact: DOOR Program National Office
430 West 9th Avenue
Denver, CO 80204
E-Mail: door@doornetwork.org
Phone: 303.295.3667
Fax: 303.295.8952
Web site: www.doornetwork.org

Work Needed: DOOR is an urban learning and service program. Many of our service experiences are
interactive in nature. Your group might serve food in a soup kitchen, play with homeless children, or work with migrant workers. Other service experiences, however, are more task-oriented. You might help construct or clean housing units that temporarily shelter homeless families.

Time: Year-round. Weeklong and weekend experiences available.

Registration deadlines:
Jan. 15 for Feb. 1 – May 31 trips; March 1 for June 1- Aug. 31 trips; 10 weeks prior for fall/winter trips.
If you are interested in coming after the deadline, please call the national office for availability.

Group Size: Groups or combinations of groups totaling 75 participants (summer) and 40 participants (spring/winter/fall).

Minimum Age: 13

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Housing for groups is at the First Mennonite Church (has A/C) and the Denver
Inner City Parish (has fans). Sleep on floor in sleeping bags. Each church has 4 showers available.

Cost: Week long: $275 per participant, Sunday evening through Friday noon. Covers lodging,
all meals from Monday morning to Friday evening except Wednesday evening, and scheduling
logistics. Weekend: $95 per participant.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Evening speakers, group reflection, worship, and Bible
study. We believe processing the experiences of the week is fundamental to learning.

See: California (Hollywood), Georgia (Atlanta), Illinois (Chicago), Florida (Miami) and Texas (San Antonio) for other DOOR locations.

Back to Top
*************

La Puente Home, Inc.
(Home Repair Service Projects) (Alamosa)

Contact: Brian Benke
317 State Ave.
P.O. Box 612
Alamosa, CO 81101
E-Mail: lapuenteoutreach@hotmail.com
Phone: 719.587.0785
Fax: 719.587.3499
Web site: www.lapuente.net

Work Needed: Wide range of moderate construction activities.
Time: Year round
Group Size: 8 –13 people
Minimum Age: All ages welcome. Participating children under age 12 need one-to-one adult supervision.|
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:4
Conditions: Housing is in local churches and community centers.
Cost: $40 per person per workday
Educational/Advocacy Components: Group leaders are responsible for programming.

Back to Top
***************

La Puente Home, Inc. (Alamosa)

Contact: Allison Cruse
911 State Ave.
Alamosa, CO 81101
E-Mail: volunteers@lapuente.net
Phone: 719.589.5909
Fax: 719.587.0810
Web site: www.lapuente.net

Work Needed: Cooking meals in shelter, construction, food bank help, community garden, gleaning, painting, sorting at thrift store.

Time: Year round

Registration Deadline: No deadline, but summer spots usually fill up around November or December.

Group Size: Up to 15 people

Minimum Age: No minimum age, but please have appropriate supervisors for youth.

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:6 or 1:7

Conditions: Participants stay at host churches in the community with showers, kitchens and floor space.

Cost: $20 per person per workday. $50.00 is a suggested donation to the Church lodging host.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Group leaders are responsible for programming.

Back to Top
***************

San Luis Valley Habitat for Humanity (Alamosa)

Contact: Audrey Liu
P.O. Box 1197
Alamosa, CO 81101
E-Mail hfhsanluis@habitatcolorado.org
Phone: 719.589.8678
Fax: 719.589.1773
Web site: www.habitatcolorado.org

Work Needed: Build passive solar adobe homes in rural Colorado.

Time: Year-round. Please contact us for application and information.

Group Size: Up to 20 people

Minimum Age: High school age

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:4

Conditions: Housing is in local churches that have varying facilities including showers and kitchens.. Alamosa is located in a beautiful mountain valley surrounded by 14,000 ft. peaks.

Cost: $200 per person per week materials fee; $4 per person daily fee as housing donation.

Educational/Advocacy Components: Group leaders are responsible for programming.

Back to Top
***************

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Harvest of Hope

Contact: Lauren Holcomb
The Society of St. Andrew
3383 Sweet Hollow Road
Big Island, VA 24526
E-Mail: sosahoh@endhunger.org
Phone: 800.333.4597
Fax: 434.299.5956
Website: www.endhunger.org
Work Needed: Participants glean crops and donate the produce to food assistance programs
such as food banks and soup kitchens

Time: Groups submit applications to attend. Deadlines are four weeks before the event. Weeklong camps are scheduled for senior-high groups in the summer. Weekend camps are scheduled in the spring and fall for junior-high groups and intergenerational groups. Camp locations vary.

Group Size: Six is a good size. At some events, several church teams can be accommodated. No team is too small.

Minimum Age: 10 years

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5. If bringing a mixed gender group, must have a male and female leader.

Conditions: Harvest of Hope staff arranges housing for groups at church camps or college dormitories. Housing conditions vary by location. Some are very rustic with sleeping accommodations on floor mats. Some are more modern.

Cost: Weeklong camps $185 per person, includes housing, meals and programming; Weekend camps $75 per person, includes housing, meals and programming.

Educational/Advocacy Components:
Participants learn about hunger through a variety of educational tools, coupled with worship. Hunger education components of the program happen each evening in large and small groups.

Harvest of Hope events are arranged in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Washington, D.C.

Back to Top
***************

Youth Service Opportunities Project [YSOP] (Washington, D.C.)

Contact: Program Director
1317 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
E-Mail: ysopdc@ysop.org
Phone: 202.347.2525
Website: www.ysop.org

Work Needed: YSOP is a Quaker organization that welcomes young people from any religious affiliation to engage in service. Volunteers work in teams in soup kitchens, family shelters, and drop-in centers in
Washington D.C., providing basic services to people who are hungry and homeless.

Time: Overnight, weekend, and week long mission trips are available.

Group Size: Minimum of 12 participants.

Minimum Age: 13 years

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Accommodations are provided. Bring your own sleeping bag. Food, supervision
by YSOP staff, orientation, and education/reflection programs are included. No TVs, radios,
Walkmans, alcohol, nonprescription drugs, or smoking. Weeklong mission trips include time for
recreation and sightseeing, and for college students, speakers on career opportunities in service.

Cost: Depends on program type. Call for fees.

Educational/Advocacy Components: By combining meaningful volunteer work with a communal living and learning program, YSOPers provide vital services to people in need and at the same time are able to reflect on their experience and broaden their perspectives.

See additional YSOP location in New York City.
Back to Top
*****************

FLORIDA

Discovering Opportunities for Outreach and Reflection (DOOR) (Miami)

Contact: National Office, The Door Program
430 West 9th Avenue
  Denver, CO 80204
E-Mail: Door@doornetwork.org
Phone: 303.295.3667
Fax: 303.295.8952
Website: www.doornetwork.org

Group Time: Year-round. Week-long and weekend experiences available.

Group Size: Groups or combinations of groups totaling 75 participants (summer) and 45 participants (spring/winter/fall).

Minimum Age: 13 years

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5

Conditions: Housing is at the First Presbyterian Church in Miami. Groups sleep on floor of Sunday School rooms. Each participant needs a sleeping bag and pillow. Thin mat is OK, but please no air mattresses. Church has A/C and shower facilities.

Cost: $275 per participant, Sunday evening through Friday noon. Covers lodging, all meals from Monday morning to Friday evening except Wednesday evening and scheduling logistics.

Educational/Advocacy Components:
Evening speakers, group reflection, worship and Bible study. We believe processing the experiences of the week is fundamental to learning. One evening seminar devoted to cross cultural issues facing the many immigrant communities of Miami.

See: California (Hollywood), Colorado (Denver), Georgia (Atlanta), Illinois (Chicago), and San Antonio (TX) for other DOOR locations.

Back to Top
***************

Harvest of Hope

Contact: Lauren Holcomb
The Society of St. Andrew
3383 Sweet Hollow Road
Big Island, VA 24526
E-Mail: sosahoh@endhunger.org
Phone: 800.333.4597
Fax: 434.299.5956
Website: www.endhunger.org

Work Needed: Participants glean crops and donate the produce to food assistance programs such as food banks and soup kitchens.

Time: Groups submit applications to attend. Deadlines are four weeks before the event. Weeklong camps are scheduled for senior-high groups in the summer. Weekend camps are scheduled in the spring and fall for junior-high groups and intergenerational groups. Camp locations vary.

Group Size: Six is a good size. At some events, several church teams can be accommodated. No team is too small.

Minimum Age: 10 years

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5. If bringing a mixed gender group, must have a male and female leader.

Cost: Weeklong camps $185 per person, includes housing, meals and programming; Weekend camps $75 per person, includes housing, meals and programming.

Harvest of Hope events are arranged in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Washington, D.C.

Back to Top
*************

United Church of Christ Disaster Recovery Ministries, Florida Conference
– Disaster Recovery

Contact: Stephanie Cohan,
Volunteer Coordinator
Phone:305.758.4845 or 800.416.1147
E-Mail: recovery@uccfla.net
OR Rev. Karen Thompson, Minister for
Disaster Response & Recovery
6001 NW 8th Avenue
Miami, FL 33127
Phone:305.758.4845 or 800.416.1147
E-Mail: kthompson@uccfla.net

Work Needed: Long-term recovery from hurricane and tornado disasters in the state of Florida. The volunteer program responds to damages caused by hurricanes during 2004, hurricanes Katrina and Wilma in 2005 especially in southern Florida, and 2007 Groundhog Day tornadoe