Sierra Service Project has been helping youth explore faith, serve others, and experience new cultures for 40 years. They offer home repair services to the elderly and poor across the Western United States in rural and urban locations, as well as on Native American reservations. They are actively seeking volunteers to serve in one-week sessions from late-June to early August, during their 41st summer of service in 2016.
SSP is committed to providing safe, accessible, and affordable programs for youth to deepen their relationships with God and others through service. SSP trips cover housing, meals, construction training, spiritual development, fellowship and more. They also offer scholarships to groups and individuals who may not otherwise be able to attend.
During the 2015 summer, SSP hosted 1,757 volunteers. They worked together to complete 94 projects which included replacing 9 failing roofs, constructing 10 brand new wheelchair ramps, and painting 17 homes. The Episcopal church was well represented with 210 of those volunteers coming from Episcopal churches or Dioceses.
Kim Furnari is the youth leader at Faith Episcopal Church in Cameron Park, CA. She has organized and led her church’s youth group for the past seven years to one of Sierra Service Project’s summer sites and is currently serving on SSP’s Board of Directors. She says that she and her youth love to keep going back to SSP because “you don’t need to bring any tools, materials, or even construction knowledge. SSP takes the stress of planning the projects right off of your shoulders.” Furnari is also impressed with the caliber of projects they complete saying that “the work we do is important and needed, and the youth love it.”
“You don’t need to bring any tools, materials, or even construction knowledge. SSP takes the stress of planning the projects right off of your shoulders.”
Sierra Service Project is an independent, interdenominational Christian 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides equal opportunity for everyone to experience God’s grace through service. SSP believes in offering the invitation to service and relationship freely, without expectation. SSP is open and affirming, and welcomes anyone who is interested in participating in its programs.
Priority registration for Summer 2016 is now open. Groups of all sizes can enroll, and no group is too small. Youth can also attend as individual participants. Call (916) 488-6441 or email SSP’s Volunteer Coordinator, Veronica Russell, for more information!