How to be a host community

Sierra Service Project (SSP) is an independent, nonprofit organization.  Our mission is to provide community service opportunities for youth, and to complete home and community repairs in Native American and urban communities in need. SSP has repaired homes in over 45 reservations and rancherias since 1975.

SSP works in five to six Native American communities each summer. Typically host communities are determined a full year in advance before volunteers will arrive. SSP will return to a community if invited for a few summers, but then will rotate to other communities in need.

Youth Volunteers Groups of youth from all over the west come for a week at a time. The youth work on repairs during the day and in the evenings they spend time in fellowship with one another and learn about the local community. There are usually 50 to 70 volunteers each week. Volunteers typically are housed at a local school. Supervision SSP hires a staff of six to seven young adults who supervise the youth, prepare meals, and supervise the repair work.  Adult chaperons also come along with the youth and spend the week working with them. Repair work Sierra Service Project provides all of the tools, materials and labor for a project. All work is done at no cost to the homeowner. If a tribe is able, cost-sharing between SSP and the tribe is possible. SSP collects work requests from the tribe and evaluates each request to make sure our volunteers can complete the work. Typical home repairs Normally 15 to 25 projects are completed over the six week summer. Types of projects include but are not limited to: Carpentry projects Wheelchair ramps Stairs and porches Awnings Roofing Flooring Drywall and insulation Painting exterior and interior Repairs we are not qualified for Plumbing work Electrical work Windows and doors 2012 Dates Work will begin on July 2nd and end on August 10th. The SSP staff will arrive on June 23rd or 24th to start setting up for the summer and will be cleaned up by August 14th or 15th. How to be a host community Contact SSP's Executive Director, Rick Eaton, by calling (916)488-6441 or through email to express interest in becoming a host community.   Sample Work Request Form View photos of past SSP projects and youth work teams.