Good Works, Inc. (Athens)

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Contact: Paul Richard, Director of Operations Good Works, Inc.
P.O. Box 4
Athens, OH 45701-0004
E-mail: goodworks@good-works.net
Phone: 740.594.3336
Web site: www.good-works.net - go to Short-Term Mission Teams

Project/Focus: Work Retreats between September and May are involved in service projects on Good Works properties and in the community. The Summer Service Program from June through August each year, providing groups with intensive discipleship, educational service initiatives and relational opportunities with people struggling with poverty.

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Summer Service Program - Each group will get an orientation after they arrive and we lead a morning devotional/education time that focuses on issues of poverty and the Good Works Philosophy of Ministry.  The Executive Director will also do a presentation talk with each group.  During the rest of the year it depends on how long a group is with us.  We will do an educational devotional and brief orientation, as time allows.

Time:  Work camps September - May:   One day camps are scheduled 8:30-12:00, 12:30-4:00 or 8:30-4:00.  Summer Service Program June – August: Arrive on Sunday leave on Saturday. 

Groups Size:  Groups from 5 to 30 depending on the service project and season.

Minimum Age: Junior High and older

Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:4

Accommodations: Groups stay in two large rooms in Hannah House (transitional housing facility).  Groups supply their own bedding and food.  Kitchen and pantry facilities are available.

Cost: (Requested donations) One-Day - None requested but always welcome; Weekend - $100 deposit; $20 per person per night; Weeklong - $150 deposit, $20 per person per night; Summer Service - $3,000 for a group of 15.

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Hiram Farm Living and Learning Community (Hiram)

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  Check out the video ~ Twin Maps visits Hiram FarmLiving & Learning Community.

Contact: De Ann Brewer, Executive Director
   P.O. Box 157
   11543 Garfield Road
   Hiram, OH 44234
E-mail:   info@hiramfarm.org
Website:  www.hiramfarm.org
Phone:  330.569.3441
Fax:  330.569.3441

Hiram Farm is an organic farm and community project that provides opportunities for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to grow, learn, work and live in a setting focused on respect and support for individuals and the environment.

Project/Focus:  Volunteers help with gardening, afternoon livestock chores, light and skilled construction projects (based on skill and need).

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Day and evening education and reflection programs are available with Farm and Hiram College staff on topics of Autism and organic farming.  Programming must be arranged ahead of time with Hiram farm staff.

Time:  Weeklong groups:  May - July and Weekend groups, all year around on a limited basis.

Group Size:  Maximum 20 people.

Minimum Age:  Minimum age 14 years.

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:6

Accommodations:  College dorm facilities are available at $15/person, per night at Hiram College.  There is no AC available at the college.  Programming space is available adjacent to the church kitchen most evenings.  Food is not included, but a large kitchen space and dining room is available for breakfasts and dinners.  Groceries can be brought or purchased locally to store in the fridge.

Cost:  A 5-night stay at the Hiram College dorms will cost $75.  The farm requests a $25 donation to cover the cost of materials and additional staff time to plan mission group projects.  An average 5-night stay would cost $100 per person.

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Nu-Vizion Christian Fellowship, UCC (Toledo)

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Contact: Rev. Will Stuart
(Mailing Address)  P.O. Box 80145, Toledo OH 43608
Location: 2014 Cherry Street
Toledo, OH  43608
E-mail:  nuvizioncf@sbcglobal.net            
Phone:  419.241.9358
(We're also on facebook:  join our Group for constant updates or like our Page for only big announcements)*

Nu-Vizion as a congregation focuses on creating community with and among people in a central-city neighborhood in Toledo.  Mission trips to Nu-Vizion are immersive in nature - helping your group experience the lived-realities of this multi-ethnic, largely impoverished inner-city community (both the neighborhood and the congregation of Nu-Vizion) while also striving to strengthen your own group for ministry in its home context.

Project/Focus:  Much of the work done by visiting groups involves assisting with the on-going ministries of this 8 year old urban-mission-church.  Project possibilities include:  Building/Facilities maintenance such as painting, cleaning, light construction & lawn care; Direct Service/Assistance Ministries such as assorted feeding ministries, working in the Cheep store clothing bank & Personal Needs hygiene/household materials distribution; Outreach programming such as staffing community events, neighborhood clean-ups, repair on local houses & children's ministries (such as working with annual VBS/Daycamp hybrid).  Staff matches work projects with the specific interests and skills of the group.

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Nu-Vizion members and mission trip groups accompany each other during the experience.  Groups encounter issues related to poverty, lack of mental health resources and racism - aided by curriculum resources developed in the Nu-Vizion context.  Additional dimensions of the missions experience are through bible study/devotions, worship opportunities (often with the NVUCC community) and down-to-earth discussions about poverty/urban issues, multiculturalism and the role of ministry in these areas.

Time:  One-day visits and weekend trips year round.  Summer trips begin the second week of June and end the second week of August. Suggested registration deadline for 5 day & week-long summer trips is May 1 (but this is somewhat flexible based on size/needs of groups & how late in the season they wish to come).Weekend trips are flexible and can be scheduled with limited advance-notice all throughout the year.

Group Size:  Up to 30

Minimum Age:  13 years

Adult to Youth Ratio:  1:5

Accommodations: Groups spend their days at Nu-Vizion while sleeping at one of the several partner churches/agencies - with showers at the YMCA.  Kitchen facilities are available in the evenings and a kitchenette is available on-site at Nu-Vizion during the day for those groups wishing to provide their own meals.

Cost:  One day visits have no fixed costs.  $100 per person per day for summer trips.  $50 per person per day for weekend trips.  All costs are negotiable based upon needs of the group (re:  food, lodging, special events, etc.).

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Washington United Church of Christ (Cincinnati) 

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Contact: Rev. Pam DeFusco
             2950 Sidney Avenue
             Cincinnati, OH 45225
Phone:  859.630.7789
E-Mail:  revpamdefusco@aol.com OR
   Jean Siddall, Work Camp Coordinator
Phone:  513.228.0515
E-mail:  mommaj3@juno.com  OR
    Washington UCC
Phone:  513.541.7757 box 6
Fax:  513.541.7579
Web site:  www.washingtonucc.org

Washington UCC partners with Camp Washington to create a community that is safe and clean, where people have enough food, decent housing, opportunities for education and work, and live in an environment that nurtures all families.  Washington United Church of Christ's mission is to help make that vision reality by doing what Jesus taught - to minister together with our neighbors in ways that improve lives physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Project/Focus: Mission trips are experiences of worship and service. Experiences include simple construction, maintenance, street feasts, and work with neighborhood children and elders.

Educational/Advocacy Components:  Evening worship services are geared toward teaching about the neighborhood and reflecting on shared experiences.

Time: Any age group year-round.  Intensive opportunities during 9 weeks of summer.

Group Size: 10 to 35.  Negotiable.

Minimum Age: No minimum age, but junior and senior high school and adult age preferred. 

Adult to Youth Ratio: Senior High youth - 1:5; Junior High youth – 1:3

Accommodations: Housing in church guesthouse and apartments with bunks. Full kitchen, dining, and shower facilities provided.  Meals included in cost.  Summer evening meals are cooked by work group.

Cost: $35 per person for weekend groups;  $200 per person for weeklong groups. As groups express interest, they are mailed information. Reservations are secured by submitting a deposit ($50 per person for weeklong camp;  no deposit for weekend groups).  Sign up early for summer to assure availability.

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