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Workcamp 2008: The Pittsburgh Project!
The FPCA Youth Pittsburgh Project Trip... JULY 20-27th!
What is The Pittsburgh Project? “The Pittsburgh Project is a nonprofit community development organization with a 22-year track record of developing leaders and serving the city’s most vulnerable residents. Executive Director Saleem Ghubril and our year-round staff of 40 operate a progressive series of afterschool programs for urban young people, deploy over 2500 people annually to perform free home repairs for Pittsburgh’s in-need elderly homeowners, outfit college students for urban service and leadership, and spearhead economic development and anti-violence efforts in our Pittsburgh neighborhood. Our affairs are managed by a 14-member board of directors and an independent financial audit of our $3 million budget is completed annually.”
What is the purpose of TPP? “We develop servant leaders and uphold the dignity of vulnerable homeowners.”
Where are they located and what is their Campus like? “The Pittsburgh Project's campus is nestled in a residential neighborhood on Pittsburgh’s North Side, across from Fowler Park and Pool, which we operate. Our facilities include a three-story converted school building that houses our offices and classroom space, a renovated former church Sanctuary which seats up to 275 people under sweeping arched-glass windows, and features a full sound and video system, and a recently-constructed Guesthouse, an environmentally "green" facility that sleeps 280 in dormitory-style bunkrooms and 44 more in furnished suites, and includes a Recreation Room packed with amenities for any group's fun gathering. We also run our own specialty coffee shop, the Charles Street Café, on site. We serve catered meals in our Dining Hall and Garden Courtyard, and feature selections that please large groups of kids or refined gatherings of professionals. Our Gallery is a cozy meeting space, lined with artwork, for up to 20 people. Two free parking lots allow for easy access to all our facilities. Two-thirds of our staff lives within walking distance of our campus, and we are delighted to have built up a reservoir of good will with nearby neighbors and friends.”
What are the sleeping arrangements? As mentioned above, there is a Guesthouse. The Guesthouse has two floors of sleeping rooms- one for guys and one for girls. There are beds provided. Each room sleeps 14 people and our youth group would be placed together in a room. If our number exceeds 14 in the room then we’d either be split in half or some other arrangement would be made.
Is the neighborhood safe? I have spoken to the Camp Coordinator already about this concern, and she assured me that they do everything possible to keep the campus secure such as having doors that automatically lock, etc. The organization has a great reputation in the neighborhood and nothing has ever happened during any of the camps. Students will not be permitted to wander around the neighborhood on their own and will be in areas with adults during free time. There is a café onsite as well as a pool and rec room where most youth spend the free time. What are the Service Camps like? “Get on the road and join us for an urban mission trip in Pittsburgh. Crazy cobblestone streets and soaring steel bridges connect neighborhoods dotted with elderly, isolated residents who need help now. Your group will spend a week to rebuild their homes. You’ll bear witness to God’s great love. And you’ll see God in action throughout your visit. Each year, our Service Camps engage over 2500 participants during Summer, Spring Break, Weekend, and One-Day camps. We challenge participants to take on a worldview that is underpinned by Christlike servant leadership. Since our launch in 1985, we have deployed over 24,000 people from 35 states and four countries.” Our trip will be for all those entering 9th grade through graduates of 12th grade. Service Projects… We’ll be heading to Pittsburgh to work on the homes of elderly homeowners in the neighborhoods surrounding the Pittsburgh Project. You’ll spend your days in service to the city’s elderly, poor, shut-in, widowed, and disabled, addressing home repair needs. Projects usually include painting, drywalling, carpentry, and yardwork. They often include minor plumbing or masonry tasks, building wheelchair ramps, fortifying retaining walls, or replacing doors, floors, and windows. You’ll see the difference you’ve made by the end of your week. You’ll know that God worked through the relationships you’ve built and the work you’ve labored to finish. And you’ll hit the road with a map for how to make a difference in a neighborhood near you. The staff at the Pittsburgh project will supply all tools, construction materials, meals, and lodging. Your crew will be made up of one other person from our youth group, and then five other students from other youth groups from around the country!
Camp Time… In the evenings there will be free time, worship, speakers, local bands, and time for devotions with your crew. They say about the Camp, “We immerse you in a cross-cultural setting, where you’ll mix with groups from across the country, and connect with folks from a multitude of denomiations, schools, and races. Plus, we pull out the stops to make our camps meaningful, memorable and fun. Our speakers and multicultural house band will encourage and inspire your group at worksites and during evening and morning sessions.” Supervision… We will be taking one adult for every 5 youth on the trip. Adults are present on all worksites, and are in the lead of the projects and groups back at the camp. There are also 35 full-time employees as well as about 20 college students who supervise things at the camp. What is the estimated cost? The estimated cost is around $425…BUT last year we did so well in fundraising that no one had to pay anything more than the $150 deposit! We’ll be putting the same amount of effort into fundraising this year, and with an extra initial boost from last year’s effort, I don’t foresee there being any difficulty in producing last year’s results again! Go team! How are the finances of the trip managed? Jan Stavinga will be managing the finances for the trip, but checks can be submitted to Sarah Dickinson. Each student will have a page where fundraising money is added up, and balances can be checked at any time by contacting Jan.
What do we do for fundraising? Some of our events that we will do this year include:
All team members will be expected to participate in the different fundraisers…especially the big events like the Valentines Dinner, Auction, and Carwash!
How do I sign up? You can sign up by filling out the attached Registration Form and handing in your $150 deposit (all checks can be made payable to the First Presbyterian Church Ambler) by November 5th. If you hand your paperwork and deposit in later than that we can’t guarantee you a spot!
How will information be communicated to us? Almost all information is distributed via e-mail. Please be sure to write down your e-mail on the Registration Form. If you have any questions about anything about the trip during the course of the year, please feel free to call me (215-646-3030) or e-mail me (sarah@fpcambler.org) anytime!
Travel Itinerary: Adult Chaperone information:
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