Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Type of Groups: Youth (high school age)
Size: Team of 8-12 individuals
Number of Teams: 2 or 3 teams. This opportunity is best suited to a youth group or team with prior summer service trip experience, or with experienced team leaders.
Time Commitment: 1 week
Dates Opportunity Is Available: Mid-July to early August, 2012 (Opportunity now full for summer 2012)
Purpose and Mission Partner: In the inner-city of Hamilton (ON), 18% of youth under age 18, and 21% of children under age 7, live in families that struggle to exist beneath the poverty line. For over 15 years, City Kidz has been impacting the lives of children in Hamilton’s inner city by demonstrating that every child, no matter their circumstance, deserves the opportunity to achieve greatness and fulfill their God given potential. Throughout the year, City Kidz operates a Saturday morning program for youth. Volunteers also make weekly home visits to more than a thousand children living in poverty, as City Kidz seeks to transform lives, break the cycle of hopelessness and end child poverty.
Project Information: One of the highlights of the summer for many inner-city children is to take part in ‘A Summer to Remember’ – a full-day, weekday program of learning, activities and adventures. The participating youth group members will be working in partnership with local churches and alongside church and City Kidz’ staff and volunteers to provide a positive, fun-filled summer program for children ages. There are also various opportunities, through visits and guest speakers, for participants to learn more about issues relating to poverty, addictions, homelessness, refugees and ministry to First Nations.
Specific Responsibilities:
1) Complete recommended reading and orientation prior to departure
2) Work alongside staff and volunteers from City Kidz and other Christian organizations as they reach out to those in need within their community;
3) Build relationships with the community by staying open and flexible to the culture around you;
4) Live and worship with the community during the project;
5) Provide City Kidz and ServiceLink with an evaluation of the project;
6) Share your experience with your church and/or supporters, and raise awareness within your home church and community of the ministry taking place in Hamilton.
Qualifications:
1) Willingness to work under the leadership of City Kidz staff and volunteer leaders;
2) Be compassionate, respectful of other cultures, and emotionally stable;
3) Flexible, adaptable and able to view life with a sense of humour:
4) Be energetic and enthusiastic, patient, and willing to tolerate LOTS OF NOISE;
5) Some experience working with children is preferred, and volunteers will require a valid police background check;
6) Willingness to organize own meals, in-city transportation, and be responsible and respectful overnight guests in a City Kidz’ facility;
Costs - will vary with each team depending on where team travels from.
• Project Fee: Donation
• Meals & Lodging: Team will be housed in a City Kidz facility at low cost, but must cook and provide
their own meals (cooking facilities available).
• Transportation to Hamilton, ON and return
• Some transportation within Hamilton, ON (team vehicle is advisable)
• Out of state/province or out of country medical and travel insurance (if applicable)
• Spending money
Benefits:
1) Growth in your faith and relationship with God;
2) Fellowship with and build new relationships with the local community;
3) Serve as an encouragement to the local community;
4) Partner with City Kidz staff and volunteers, learn about their ministry and encourage them in their efforts to serve the people in their community;
5) A chance to learn from, to serve and be served by a diverse urban culture;
6) Opportunity to discover how various organizations are engaged in transformational ministry;
7) Develop a personal perspective on poverty, urban ministry and diverse communities;
Support Services Provided:
ServiceLink agrees to provide:
• orientation materials as well as logistics and support to meet the needs of volunteers as well as City Kidz;
• opportunity to help volunteers link their individual/church’s mission and vision to work being done;
If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please contact us today at volunteer@crcna.org.
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