Pennsylvania – United Church of Christ
Contact: Richard M. Worden, Volunteer Service Manager
33 South Seward St.
York, PA 17404
E-mail: richard@yorkhabitat.org
Website: www.yorkhabitat.org
Phone: 717.854.6168 ext. 106 office
Fax: 717.854.1970
Habitat for Humanity, York works in partnership with God and people from all walks of life to build and renovate houses, so that there are decent houses in decent communities where people can experience God’s love and grow into all that God intends.
Project/Focus: York Habitat builds new homes and rehabilitates older homes for those in need. We need help with painting, installing drywall, carpentry work, plumbing, electrical work, roofing, masonry and concrete work, cleaning, and every aspect of home building and renovation. Both skilled labor and fast learners welcome. Work required for all types of projects depending on construction schedule.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Hands-on learning of various construction skills. Group leaders responsible for own programming.
Time: Year-round.
Group Size: 12 people
Minimum Age: 16 years
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1:5
Conditions: Housing includes a fully-equipped kitchenette and showers. Groups need to bring sleeping bags and prepare their own food. Also provide an orientation at the beginning of the trip that includes breakfast, and also one dinner during their time here with programming.
Cost: $200.00 per person for the week. A $200.00 deposit is required to reserve the Center.
Back to State Listing Index by Focus of Mission Trip
Old First Reformed Church (UCC) (Philadelphia)
Contact: Kristyn Johnson
151 N. 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
E-mail: admin@oldfirstucc.org
Phone: 215.922.4566
Web site: www.oldfirstucc.org
Old First Reformed UCC welcomes groups for urban-immersion-learning experiences in the city of Philadelphia.
Project/Focus: Service campers learn the challenges facing the city and the joys and rewards of hands-on work in agencies that are making a difference in our city. Service campers also learn to experience some of what life might be like for our disadvantaged neighbors: relying on public transportation and sleeping communally in a shelter-like setting. Service campers volunteer at social service sites including Old First’s own homeless shelter, food & clothing cupboard as well as other sites across Philadelphia.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Volunteer coordinator works with group assisting with work projects and reflections, exploring social advocacy, homelessness and poverty — what that looks like any ways to help.
Time: Year-round.
Group Size: 20 maximum, November – April; 45 maximum other times of year.
Minimum Age: 12 years
Adult to Youth Ratio: Prefer the adult to youth ratio to be 1:4
Conditions: Lodging is provided in the church; showers available. Group must bring bedding. Group must provide and prepare own meals. Kitchen and cooking utensils are available. Adult leadership is necessary. Sightseeing and educational opportunities at museums within walking distance of church.
Cost: Lodging: Weekend fee is flat rate of $ 35 per participant and week-long fee is $35 for the first and second night and $30 every night thereafter. A non-refundable deposit of $200 to secure a date. This amount will be deducted from the overall cost if the reservation is kept. Upon cancellation, the deposit will be retained by Old First Reformed Church.
Back to State Listing Index by Focus of Mission Trip
Broad Street Ministry Summer Youth Initiative (Philadelphia)
Contact: Ann-Therese Ortiz, Senior Community Engagement Manager
315 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
E-mail: atortiz@broadstreetministry.org or communityengagement@broadstreetministry.org
Website: https://www.broadstreetministry.org/community-engagement/
Phone: (215)735-4847 ext. 108
Broad Street Ministry (“BSM”) is a broad-minded Christian community that practices radical hospitality and works for a more just world through civic engagement. We seek to transform our guests, our selves, and our community. By engaging our neighbors socially, academically, and creatively, we hope to spread the proclamation and practice of radical hospitality beyond our doors. Join us, and together we can creatively and intentionally challenge systems of injustice and oppression facing our most vulnerable neighbors.
Project/Focus: The Summer Youth Initiative of Broad Street Ministries provides opportunities for youth to engage their faith in educational, motivating, and provocative service experiences related to prevalent social justice issues. Youth and adult participants engage in relational service work across the city of Philadelphia, leaning about context to the intersections of race, food and housing insecurity, gender identity, incarceration, and addiction. Through daily dialogue and evening worship, we reflect on scripture to learn what it means to put our faith into action. The goal is to spark curiosity, to identify ways in which Holy Scripture calls for justice and love for all, and to stimulate conversations leading to lifelong service and discipleship. The Youth Initiative is committed to forming compelling leaders who are founded in rich theological, social, and academic understandings of justice.
Educational/Advocacy Components: Each day, participants are guided through a rich theological curriculum. The aim of this curriculum is to debrief and allow space for processing the day’s volunteer experiences; to provide insight and education surrounding issues of poverty and injustice in Philadelphia; and to prepare participants for lifelong discipleship when they leave Philadelphia. In 2017, we added an adult education component. Twice a week, adult leaders and chaperones gather together for higher-level reflection time and BSM staff engages them in discussions on how to maximize on the “mission trip high” and energy for justice work upon the groups’ return home.
Time: Summer – 8 one-week periods; Registration Deadline April 1
Group Size: Minimum group size 5; Maximum group size: 60
Minimum Age: 11 years
Adult to Youth Ratio: 1 adult for every 5 youth
Accommodations: Youth Initiative participants sleep at Broad Street Ministry in an air conditioned room on cots (provided by BSM). Showers are provided but are off-site. Meals are included in participation fee.
Cost: Summer (1 week, Sunday to Friday, high school groups only), $500 per person plus a $200 group registration fee.
Summer (short week, Sunday to Thursday, middle school groups only) $375 per person plus a $200.00 group registration fee.
Back to State Listing Index by Focus of Mission Trip