Youth Mission Initiative Registration and Information Packet

Youth Mission InitiativeRegistration and Information Packet

“…He or she won't call attention to what he or she does with loud speeches or gaudy parades.

He or she won't brush aside the bruised and the hurt and he or she won't disregard the small and insignificant,

but he or she will steadily and firmly set things right…”- Isaiah 42: 2-3

Dear Registrants and Parents,

We are excited to invite junior and senior high youth to participate in a week of exploration into what God isdoing in our community for people in need. The week will be a lot of fun, but also a lot of learning and a lot ofwork. There is a lot of need in our neck of the woods including feeding and sheltering the homeless, caring forthe mentally ill, providing for people in need, and forming relationships with people that make a difference.

Youth Mission Initiative is an initiative to inspire an ethic of hard work and to foster an experience of the gospelof love in Jesus Christ that extends outside the doors of church buildings. We will be exploring andparticipating in the words of Isaiah 42:1-6 as well as other supplementary passages (Matthew 25:34-46 andLuke 10:27-37) as we hear from speakers and visit various need organizations. These organizations are locatedaround the metroplex including the cities of Mesquite, Dallas, Arlington, and Waco. Each day of the week fromMonday to Friday the youth will visit a different mission organization to volunteer for the day accompanied byat least 3 sponsors and 2 leaders to help drive and chaperone.

The cost of this week is relatively inexpensive: $35 covers the entire week paying for a Youth Initiative t-shirt,and drinks and food for the week. This is the cost at the start, however we will have a day of fun on Saturday,August 6 and may go out for lunch 2 or 3 days during the week which may require youth to bring money, butdetails will be given to address this later. This said there may be some scholarship money available for thosewho cannot afford this cost. Come by the Christian Education office at FPC to fill out a scholarship form.

This packet includes the Schedule for the Week, Descriptions of Service Organizations we will be visiting, asupply list of Items to Bring to the event, various forms to be filled out prior to the mission week, and contactnumbers for parents.

Please fill out all forms in this packet and submit them to the Christian Education Office at FirstPresbyterian Church by Sunday, August 1 to participate in this event. We need 1) A signed “Covenant ofConduct”, 2) a filled out and signed “Medical Release” and “Liability” form, 3) a signed “Photo Release”form, 4) the filled out “Registration form”, and 5) the payment of $35.

Mark your calendars parents and youth for a informational meeting about this event on Sunday, July 25 at12:15pm following the 11:00am worship service in the Youth Hall located in the northeast corner of thesanctuary building.

We are excited about this event and look forward to seeing you all there! Have a great summer! (P.S. This isalso a great opportunity to gain community service hours most of you youth will need for school).

Sincerely,

Tim SmithDirector of Christian EducationFirst Presbyterian Church, Mesquite TXOffice: 972-285-5602Email: [email protected]

Schedule for the Week

Sunday, August 1

5:00pm – 5:30pm Check-in (Youth Hall)

5:30pm – 6:30pm Orientation and Devotion

6:30pm – 7:30pm Dinner

7:30pm – 10:00pm Games/Group building and Vespers

11:00pm Lights Out

Monday, August 2 Mission East Arlington

7:00am – 8:00am Breakfast

8:00am Depart FPC for Mission Arlington

9:00am – 12:00pm Tour and Volunteer

12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm – 2:00pm Volunteer – delivering furniture, pantry, etc

3:00pm – 4:15pm Break

4:30pm – 5:30pm Reflection

6:00pm – 7:30pm Dinner at FPC member’s house

8:00pm – 10:00pm Group games and Devotion

11:00pm Lights Out

Tuesday, August 3 Grace Presbyterian Village


8:00am Depart FPC

10:00am – 12:00pm Volunteer


1:00pm – 2:00pm Volunteer


4:30pm – 5:30pm Speaker


8:00pm – 10:00pm Games and Devotion

11:00pm Lights Out

Wednesday, August 4 Mosaic


9:00am Depart FPC for Mosaic work site in Carrolton

10:00am – 12:00pm Volunteer – working on site at a home


1:00pm – 2:00pm Volunteer – working on site at a home


4:30pm – 5:30pm Reflection time

6:00pm – 7:30pm Dinner at FPC member’s house

8:00pm – 9:00pm Lunch-bagging for Austin Street Center

9:00pm – 10:00pm Games and Devotion

11:00pm Lights Out

Thursday, August 5 Austin Street Center


9:00am Depart FPC for Austin Street Center

10:00am -12:00pm Volunteer – serving lunches

12:00pm - 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm - 2:30pm Volunteer - playing Bingo

5:00pm – 6:00pm Reflection time


8:00pm to 10:00pm Games and Devotion

11:00pm Lights Out

Friday, August 6 Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services


9:00am – 3:00pm Fun and Games in Waxahachie


6:00pm – 7:00pm Closing Reflections

7:00pm – 9:00pm Video Project

9:00pm – 12:00am Recreation

Saturday, August 7


10:00am – 11:00am Worship

12:00pm – 10:00pm Day out on the town

11:00pm YMI Ends – depart from FPC, Mesquite

***Volunteer times may vary depending on the work being done, which may lead to more free

time during the week.

***Dinners and Breakfasts are being prepared by volunteers from the FPC Congregation.

*** Church Under the Bridge Meal serving which was originally scheduled for Sunday, August

8 has been moved to Sunday, August 22

What to Bring with you to the YMI:

NotepadPen/PencilAir mattressSleeping bag/BlanketsPillowFlashlightBibleGames to play with a group/MoviesWork clothesTennis shoes/closed-toed shoesSunscreenExtra set of clothesPajamasWater bottleCameraDesired snacks/beveragesToothbrushToothpasteDeodorantAlarm clock

***Remember all of your forms: Registration Form, FPC Covenant, FPC MedicalRelease and Liability form, Mosaic Volunteer Form

***Saturday will be a day on the town in Dallas. You may bring as much to spend forthis day as you would like (a good number to consider might be $15). All of the youthwill compile their “town money” and as a group decide what they would like to do withit.

***If you bring anything of value, make sure that you keep tabs on it. Anything youbring with you is your responsibility to keep up with.

Optional:

You may bring a little extra money for drink machines or snack machines at work siteseach day.

YMI Video Project: Serve

The week at YMI will culminatein a video created from the footagetaken during the week of service.The youth will decide the shapethe video will take and whatthey would like to communicate.

YMI Service SitesDescriptions of the organizations youth may work with while at YMI

Mission Arlington

THE SPIRIT OF MISSION ARLINGTON:

Mission Arlington is more a movement than a strategy, more a spirit than a structure, more like a family than an

organization. It’s not about religion, and it is as much about God as it is about people.

For these reasons, and so many more, Mission Arlington doesn’t fit into the customary language of church, nor

does it fit into the typical category of social work. God has done something amazing here, and He has done it in

His own time and in His own way.

Mission Arlington belongs to God. This isn’t our story, but His. He had plans in place for this Ministry and for

all who work here long before it happened. He started this mission, sustains us moment by moment, and He

holds our future in His hands.

As we talk about who we are it is with sincere humility, a sense of dependency and a commitment to theleadership of His Spirit within us.

We are grateful to each and every one who has walked this journey with us. Together we will serve Him into

the future one day at a time.

Mosaic

OUR MISSION: "Embracing God's call to serve in the world, Mosaic advocates for people with intellectual

disabilities and provides opportunities for them to enjoy a full life."

Mosaic is a faith-based organization serving people with intellectual disabilities. We believe that every

individual is a person of worth. Together Mosaic staff members, volunteers and the people we support work as

partners.

OUR VISION: Mosaic enters its second century as a strong organization with continued focus to effectively

help people with intellectual disabilities create the life they desire. We pursue sustainable growth and ensure our

mission success through a broad partnership with donors and volunteers.

AT A GLANCE:

People Mosaic supports: More than 3,500

Employees: More than 5,000

Locations: 40 agencies comprising more than 250 communities in 14 states

VOLUNTEER : You can help build connections between the people Mosaic assists and the communities in

which they live. Mosaic welcomes individuals and groups to be a friend to an individual assisted by Mosaic or

help with a Mosaic special project in your community.

Austin Street Center

OUR MISSION: The Centre's primary purpose for existence is to offer emergency shelter and related services

to the homeless person in a compassionate Christian community, so that the person in need might be better able

to make responsible choices and changes in their lives. The Centre has a particular ministry of caring for those

who suffer from various physical and mental disabilities, unable to care for themselves, with few or no available

alternatives. This includes 24-hour shelter care for those persons recovering from serious illness or injury.

MEAL MINISTRY: Volunteers from 120 plus different area churches, synagogues, school groups and service

organizations prepare food in their kitchen, deliver it to Austin Street Centre and feed our residents each day.

DAY PROGRAM: A Day Program is provided for women and children as well as men who are elderly or too

ill to work. This program, supervised by shelter staff, relies on volunteer groups.

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services

OUR MISSION: To provide Christ-centered services to children in need and their families.

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) got its start in 1903, when a mother dying from

tuberculosis asked her minister to help her find someone to care for her four young children.

Over the past century, this ministry has expanded to meet the needs of today’s families. We serve children age

birth to 17 who have suffered from neglect, abuse and abandonment, or children whose families are

experiencing some type of crisis, such as the death of a parent, divorce, illness, violence, homelessness, parental

drug/alcohol abuse and other issues that threaten family stability.

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services has five main programs: Group Homes, Foster Care, Child and

Family, Single Parent Family and Educational Programs.

PCHAS is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to fulfilling our mission of providing Christ-centered

care and family support regardless of race, gender, religion, national origin, or financial resources. PCHAS is a

ministry of Presbyterian Church (USA) and licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective

Services. This agency is a sponsor agency of the Teaching-Family Association and a member of the national

association of Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Related Ministries.

Presbyterian Village

ABOUT: Grace Presbyterian Village is a continuing care retirement community founded in 1962 and located on27 beautiful wooded acres in Oak Cliff. We are a member of Dallas-based Presbyterian Communities andServices, a not-for-profit organization, and we pledge to enrich the lives of those we serve by providingexceptional care and services in a faith-based culture. Our wide range of services includes residential living,assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation, outpatient therapy, and Alzheimer's and dementia care. Ourprograms and services are available to persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, ordisability.

We have been blessed to form relationships with organizations throughout our community, includingpartnerships with area universities, volunteer groups, and churches of various denominations. These affiliationshelp us make Each Moment Matter.

Sharing Life Community Outreach

ABOUT US: As a non-profit, benevolent organization our primary goal is to come along side individuals and

families who need help obtaining the basic necessities of life. We offer a food pantry, a clothes closet, a holiday

program, utility assistance for those who are subject to disconnection of water, gas or electrical services,

assistance in purchasing necessary prescriptions, assistance to single parents in obtaining child care and

assistance in getting gasoline to search for a job or get to work. In addition to these tangible helps, SLCO also

offers educational programs to enrich the lives and futures of our clients. We offer job skills training that

includes basic computing skills and standard business applications, job interview skills classes which include

resume writing and dressing for success, parenting classes, a twelve step class for those struggling with

addiction and a mentoring program for young, single mothers.

Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County

Volunteers donate thousands of hours of service each year at Union Gospel Mission. There are a variety of

volunteer opportunities for both individuals and groups, including:

Activities

Adopt-a-Room

Chapel Speakers & Musicians

Development Office & General Administrative Help

Donations and Drives

Gardening

Healing Shepherd Clinic

Kitchen Service

Letters of Encouragement

Tutoring

Warehouse

TUTORING

Time: 5:00pm to 7:00pm, Monday-Thursday

Commitment: Ongoing, weekly

Volunteer Type: Individual

ADOPT A ROOM

Time: Monday-Saturday

Commitment: One time

Volunteer Type: Individual, group

We welcome you to paint the walls, hang drapes,

bring new linens for the beds (1 to 5 twin beds in

each room), decorate, and/or lay rugs. It is a fun

opportunity for volunteers and our residents love

having their rooms updated with a new look.

Adopt-a-room volunteers must first meet with the

resident(s) whose room they will be adopting in

order to discuss needed updates, color preferences,

etc.

CHAPEL SPEAKERS AND MUSICIANS

Time: Afternoons and evenings, 7 days a week

Commitment: One time, ongoing (if ongoing,

volunteers must attend a 6-hour training course)

Volunteer Type: Individual, group

We welcome individuals and groups who are

interested in sharing God’s love by leading a chapel

service or sharing their musical talent.

Church Under the Bridge

HISTORY: In 1992, a Christian couple from Waco and a Baylor student spent some time getting to know

several of the homeless men sleeping under the Interstate 35 bridge. Over the next few months, the men

accepted the invitation to meet fort Bible study on Sunday mornings at the bridge. Over the weeks and

months, the small group grew to include more homeless folks, other lower income people, and local

community persons who either had no church experience or felt like they did not fit in other local churches.

Many of the basic needs of the lower income and homeless were met through the shared resources available.

Within a couple of years, the Bible study group realized God was doing something more than just a Bible

study. Thus, Church Under the Bridge acknowledged its existence and began taking on more responsibilities

as the Body of Christ.

MISSION: Church Under the Bridge attempts to avoid denominational, cultural, economic, or racial

distinctions. We are a multi-cultural church committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the unity of His

Spirit. We welcome folks from wide and diverse backgrounds to love God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to love their neighbors as themselves.

Join us in our Sunday service at 11:00am. We meet under I-35 and 4th Street. Meals are served at 10:30am.

May we come together, black, white, brown, rich and poor, educated in the streets and in the university, all

worshipping the living God, who makes us one.

Interfaith Housing Coalition

HISTORY: Interfaith Housing Coalition was founded in 1985 to provide transitional housing and support

services to homeless families. Through the years, a broad coalition of individuals, foundations, churches, and

service groups have joined the ministry, effectively leveraging volunteer, in-kind and financial resources

throughout the community.

The Landscape Has Changed: Initially designed to help families with situational homelessness stabilize and

move forward within 90 days, the Interfaith Housing program has evolved to provide an in-depth approach to

address the root issues of generational poverty and homelessness. Find out more about our Home & Hope

Residential Program which helps homeless families transform to self sufficiency. Also, find out how our

EQUIP program is helping prevent homelessness by working in partnership with local churches.

Youth Mission Initiative Photo Release Form

I hereby consent to and authorize the use and reproduction, in print or electronic formatby First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite, TX or anyone authorized by First PresbyterianChurch, Mesquite, TX, of any and all photographs which have been taken on the YouthMission Initiative (August 1, 2010 through August 7, 2010) for any publicity purpose,without compensation. All images--electronic, negatives and positives, together with theprints, are owned by First Presbyterian Church, Mesquite, TX.

I hereby acknowledge that I have read and understood the termsof this release.

Signature of Youth ______________________________ Date ____________

Signature of Parent ______________________________ Date ____________(if youth under 18 years old)

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Youth Mission Initiative Registration and Information Packet