Community Moments from Summer 2016

At YouthWorks, we’re so grateful for all the incredible moments that composed Summer 2016. The service and learning and growth that God brought about in communities across the continent is truly something to give thanks for. Below are just a few of our favorite Summer 2016 moments from communities. As you peruse these pictures, continue to process your mission trip and consider how God will use your YouthWorks experience to propel you into whatever comes next.

"In one day, we went from a population of 600,000 to a population of zero." #yw2016

A photo posted by EDGE (@edgeatlcr) on Jul 26, 2016 at 7:43am PDT

Today I got to hang out with Mr. Bill. Mr. Bill says "I come from a race of people who have hope. We've been through everything but we still have hope. If we live without hope…it's terrible. The only way to save the world is through challenging the individual and taking care of this home God has given us. People are lucky I'm not God…I would evict them for not taking care of this place. It's amazing he keeps giving us a second chance when we do so much to screw it up." #yw2016 #heavensburg2016

A photo posted by kaylasuerosey (@kaylasuerosey) on Jul 21, 2016 at 8:09am PDT

We had the pleasure of meeting this amazing group of leaders and children from #youthworks they did an amazing job painting the front porch and they took pride in what they did. The leaders were awesome and patient. I feel so blessed to have met you all! Thank you all for time and dedication to the ministry. #youthwork #yw2016

A photo posted by Maria Briggs (@mammahomemaker) on Jul 19, 2016 at 11:47am PDT

Meet Ray. He's a housing partner and one of our many awesome community members at Chicago 1. On Monday evenings, Ray comes to speak to groups about what it's like growing up as a struggling youth in Chicago. He opened a youth center at the church where students could find refuge, a hot meal, and the Gospel. Last night, he shared about the gang violence here in Chicago and how important it is to give kids a safe place so they don't get involved in gangs. The youth center closed 6 years ago and now Ray gets to work with youth again because of the partnership with YouthWorks and we are so grateful for his heart and to serve alongside of him. #yw2016

A photo posted by YouthWorks Missions (@ywmissions) on Jul 19, 2016 at 7:28am PDT

"I had to do something. I had to do something to help. For my grandchildren and for other people's children." This is Katherine. She moved into the neighborhood about 3 years ago and had the feeling she had to help. There are plenty of abandoned houses in her neighborhood that people move into to live and do drugs in. So for the past 3 years she has been working with Neighbors Building Brightmoore to clean up the houses and board them up to keep the neighborhood safe. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with people like Katherine to serve this city. #YW2016

A photo posted by YouthWorks Missions (@ywmissions) on Jul 13, 2016 at 10:40am PDT

"Six weeks before summer began, all of the Osage children programs were shut down. We had parents calling and asking if we could do anything, one parent was going to have to take her kids to Texas for the summer, because that was her only option. The Healthy Kids Camp was approved to start, and a week and a half later on June 4 we opened up." -Ms. Ashley The close connections YouthWorks has made with staff, teens, and kids in the past few weeks at the Healthy Kids Camp have had a great impact on participants. We are thankful for people like Ashley, who were part of a team that saw a need, and filled it! #yw2016

A photo posted by YouthWorks Missions (@ywmissions) on Jul 5, 2016 at 7:59am PDT

This is why we do what we do. Be a part of moments like these. Register for a 2017 mission trip today.