Missouri
Emmaus Homes, Inc. (Marthasville & St. Charles)
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Contact for Summer Mission Camp Program (Marthasville location):
Rev. Wendy Jaine Summers
Phone: 636.534.5257
Email: summersw@emmaushomes.org
Contact for all other volunteer opportunities:
Chris Adams, Director of Volunteer & Foundation Operations
Phone: 636.534.5218
Fax: 636.947.1336
Web site: www.emmaushomes.org
Marthasville Campus
11900 Emmaus Drive
Marthasville, MO 63357
St. Charles Campus
2200 Randolph Street
St. Charles, MO 63301
Emmaus Homes provides home and programming for individuals with developmental disabilities based on their unique needs and goals.
Project/Focus: Yard work, painting, carpentry, cleaning, filing, and assistance in recreational and educational programs. Experience relationships with persons with developmental disabilities.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Individuals and groups may work directly with residents under staff supervision in the Senior/Recreation Program.
Time: All seasons
Group Size: Maximum 25
Minimum Age: 12+ years
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5. (Requested ratio of 1:3 if group is composed of youth ages 12-15).
Accommodations: We have group housing for a maximum of 25 available on campus. Bring your own bed sheet, blanket, bath towel, personal hygiene supplies, and food supplies. Emmaus will provide a large fully equipped kitchen and dining room for you to prepare and share meals, and a small kitchenette to store your snack food. Mission campers work 1/2 day with physical labor projects and 1/2 day with Emmaus residents in a wide range of programs. Campers may spend evening hours in recreational activities of their choice with residents or with their own group (we offer on site fishing, a paddle boat, hiking, field games, or you may go to a local YMCA swimming pool). Evening Vesper service may be lead by our Mission Camp Coordinator or by your group leader in the chapel or at the campfire site.
Cost: Donation requested to offset the cost of utilities.
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Harvest of Hope (Kansas City)
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See listing for National Headquarters under Virginia.
Contact: www.endhunger.org
Phone: 800.333.4597
Project/Focus: Participants glean nutritious produce from farmers' fields and orchards after harvest. This food, instead of being left behind to rot, is delivered to those in need through programs such as local food banks and soup kitchens. Harvest of Hope is a national gleaning network.
Harvest of Hope events are arranged in the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia.
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Urban Mission Experience (St. Louis)
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Contact: Sue Kupfer, Executive Director
2911 McNair Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118
E-mail: umestl@yahoo.com
Phone: 314.517.0164
Website: www.umestl.org
The goals of the Urban Mission Experience are to financially support urban churches, introduce mission trip visitors to some of the best mission agencies in the St. Louis area and live out Micah 6:8.
Project/Focus: Groups work with several non-profit agencies in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Work may include sorting donations, stocking shelves, bagging groceries, cleaning facilities or assisting neighbors, working in a children’s summer program, painting and yard service. Activities can be tailored according to group interests and staff availability. Groups get an overview of many ways the church is active in mission here.
Educational/Advocacy Components: The "Urban Encounter" program is designed with three components: 1) service work, 2) reflection on the experience, and 3) rest and recreation. Groups should plan to work 4-5 hours per day at each mission site. Trained facilitators are available one evening to help youth reflect on issues of poverty and racism which they will encounter in their mission work. Local recreational opportunities include swimming, major and minor league baseball games, St. Louis Arch, Six Flags, St. Louis Zoo, Grant's Farm, City Museum and many special interest museums.
Time: Weeklong "Urban Encounter" mission trips may be scheduled from late May through August. Trips of less than a full week and trip September through May are also available. Call for availability.
Group Size: Maximum number 40
Minimum Age: Minimum age is sixth grade.
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5
Accommodations: Housing is provided in a UCC Church. Sleeping rooms are air-conditioned. Bring sleeping bags and air mattresses. Groups may use church kitchen for meal preparation. Showers are available at nearby recreational center.
Cost: $200 nonrefundable deposit per group is required with reservation. Suggested donation for housing is $25 per person per night for weeklong "Urban encounter" mission events.
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Urban Mission Inn (St. Louis)
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Contact: Brian Kirk
Union Avenue Christian (DOC)
733 Union Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63108
E-mail: brianskirk@yahoo.com
Phone: 314.361.8844
Website: www.union-avenue.org/outreach/urban-mission-inn
Urban Mission Inn is part of the Union Avenue Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The church describes itself as a faith community growing in the treasures of justice, stewardship, artistic expression and hospitality.
Project/Focus: The Urban Mission Inn offers a variety of possible inner-city volunteer opportunities including work with children, indigent seniors, soup kitchens, community gardens, homeless shelters, food delivery programs, food pantries, and more. Work projects are tailored to the needs and gifts of each group.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Group leaders responsible for own programming. Mission trip journal document is available upon request.
Time: Year-round
Group Size: Up to 25
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:7
Accommodations: Air-conditioned sleeping rooms, bunk beds, air mattresses, on-site showers, meeting space, full kitchen with space for cooking and storing food.
Cost: None. A $100 hold-the-date deposit is requested. Half is returned after the group's visit.
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Neighborhood Houses (St. Louis)
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See video available from the Twin Maps project!
Contact: Billie Thurmond, Volunteer Coordinator
5621 Delmar, Suite 104
St. Louis, MO 63112
E-Mail: bthurmond@neighborhoodhouses.org
Phone: 314.773.1107
Fax: 314.361.6873
Web site: www.neighborhoodhouses.org
Neighborhood Houses has served families in St. Louis for 98 years and counting. Quality programs and compassion strengthen children, families and communities. Neighborhood House's continuum of care includes a Teen Moms' program called Girls Night Out allowing Neighborhood Houses to enter into a young family's life early and provide support for mom and her child. An Early Childhood Education program (6 weeks through 5 years) prepares children to be successful in kindergarten and beyond by partnering with parents to help them achieve their desired goals for their children. An after school program held in five St. Louis public elementary schools is a safe environment where caring staff focuses on the whole child, including educational enrichment, social development, life skills and health and nutrition.
Project/Focus: Work projects may include painting, cleaning, and yard work at centers located in the city of St. Louis. Projects also include stocking food pantry shelves and sorting clothes at the thrift store. Summer camp programs need work camp groups for crafts, games, field trips, and meal preparation.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Groups can choose to work on various activities directly with the children in Neighborhood Houses' centers.
Idea: Interact with nutrition and fitness goal of the after-school programs by involvement in the Let's Move Campaign "America's Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids" http:www.letsmove.gov. Join the movement. Sign up your congregation as part of "Let's Move Faith and Communities." Sign up and toolkit for organizing available at http://www.letsmove.gov/community-leaders.
Time: Year-round. Contact office to arrange time and schedule. Only twelve (12) groups will be accommodated during the summer months.
Group Size: 25–30 per group.
Minimum Age: 13 years
Accommodations: Housing options list available on request. Groups provide their own food.
Cost: None.
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Shannondale Community Center (Salem)
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Contact: Jeff R. Fulk
HC 62, Box 340
Salem, MO 65560
E-Mail: shannondale@centurytel.net
Phone: 573.858.3284
Fax: 573.858.3263
Web site: http://www.missourimidsouth.org
Project/Focus: Carpentry, plumbing, painting, electrical, and yard cleanup on the site of the Shannondale Community Center. Projects also can be arranged for the improvement of the local community. The group is expected to provide the material to be used. Some general tools are provided by the Center.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Group leaders provide own programming.
Time: Spring, summer, fall. Registration is necessary.
Group Size: 40 persons per group.
Minimum Age: None. Older persons also welcome.
Adult to Youth Ratio: Senior high youth – 1:6; Junior high youth - 1:5. Adult leaders should have necessary construction skills so that the limited staff of Shannondale can provide direction but not direct supervision of the work site.
Accommodations: Groups provide own bedding. Cooking facilities are available. Groups provide their own meals. Shannondale will prepare meals for groups of 25 or more. We are located near the Ozarks National Scenic Riverways Park. Float trips, retreat resources, adventure education, hayrides, and orienteering can be arranged for groups.
Cost: $8–$10 per person per day, depending on the lodging facility utilized. Work materials extra.
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United Church of Christ/Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Disaster Recovery in Joplin, Missouri
with Joplin Long Term Recovery Committee
Housing at South Joplin Christian Church
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Contact: Howard Self, UCC/Disciples Disaster Ministries' Registrar (Joplin)
Email: hjself@live.com
Phone: 618.318.2445 (Cell)
On-Line Registration
The Disaster Event: A multi-vortex EF5 tornado struck Joplin, MO on Sunday, May 22, 2011 creating a thirteen mile path of destruction through Joplin and its neighboring communities. Over 2,000 structures were affected and 162 lives lost.
Project/Focus: Long-Term Disaster Recovery from May 2011 tornado. Projects will include, but not limited to, home repair, rebuilding, and new construction, as identified by the Joplin Long Term Recovery Committee through the organization, Rebuild Joplin.
Education Components:
- Preparation for the Trip: "Mission Trips That Matter" by Don C. Richter, Upper Room Books.
- On-Site Reflection: "Meeting God in the Ruins: Devotions for Disaster Volunteers" Copies will be provided at group housing site. Additional free copies may be ordered from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America by calling 800.328.4648 (ISBN 6-0001-6788-1); pay shipping only.
- Follow up Action:
Time: Work will continue throughout 2013. Arrive on Sunday evening. Work Monday - Friday. Depart on Saturday morning.
Group Size: 30 total each week. (Generally 15 UCC and 15 Disciples each week). Check with registrar on availability of a particular week.
Minimum age: 14 years. Volunteers under age 18 have specific waiver forms requiring parent/guardian signature.
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5
Accommodations: Housing provided by South Joplin Christian Church. Bunks, bathrooms, showers, access to kitchen facilities and utensils, and access to laundry facilities are available.
Cost: $75 per person per week to cover utilities and outfitting of group housing, as well as a portion of the stipend for long-term volunteers. A NON-REFUNDABLE deposit of $25/person will be due within 3 weeks of registering; the remainder is due at least 3 weeks prior to arrival.
Make checks payable to: "Disciples Home Missions" with memo "Joplin Disaster Recovery"
Mail payment to:
Disciples Home Missions
DOC/UCC Joplin Disaster Recovery
Attn: Brenda Tyler
P.O. Box 1986
Indianapolis, IN 46206
Questions? Contact: Howard Self, UCC/Disciples Disaster Ministries' Registrar (Joplin)
Email: hjself@live.com
Phone: 618.318.2445 (Cell)
Cancellations may be received with a refund of $50 if already paid; up to three weeks prior to arrival. Remember, the $25 reservation fee is non-refundable.
UCC Groups - please note that this is a different payment system than other UCC disaster recovery sites.
Costs for building materials and tools, and construction supervision provided through the local Joplin Long-Term Recovery Committee. Your donations to UCC One Great Hour of Sharing®, the UCC Spring Storms Appeal, and Disciples Week of Compassion help make possible the local work of the Long-Term Recovery Committee and group housing.
Minimum Age: 14 years. Volunteers under age 18 have specific waiver forms requiring parent/guardian signature.
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5
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Blue Springs Terrace (Blue Springs)
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Contact: Madeline Edwards, Terrace Administrator
307 W. 19th Terrace
Blue Springs, MO 64015
E-Mail: thrlmdrnmle@yahoo.com
Phone: 816.709.8885
Web site: www.bluespringsterrace.com
Blue Springs Terrace is a low-cost and friendly place to live in retirement for those who have dedicated their lives to serving others as pastors or full-time office staff of the United Church of Christ and Disciples of Christ.
Project/Focus: Blue Springs Terrace provides independent living in supportive Christian community for ALL retired pastors and full-time Christian workers of the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and/or their spouses. Houses are provided and residents pay for utilities and a small monthly maintenance fee. Work projects include building assessments and repairs so that people can remain in their homes living independently.
Education Components: Blue Springs Terrace is a member of the UCC Council of Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM). Conversation with retired church workers and clergy.
Time: Weekends, or weeklong in Spring, Summer or Fall
Group Size: Maximum 10 (more can be accommodated with notice)
Accommodations: Groups stay at the 'Agape House' Terrace Community Center. Bring your own air mattress and sleeping bag. Kitchen provided. Groups cook own food. Bring own tools and equipment for projects.
Cost: Donations are accepted.
Minimum Age: None
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5
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