Short-term Mission and Service Learning Opportunities
On an Urban Encounter, groups of high school or college age youth have the opportunity to serve the elderly, youth, homeless, and home-bound in the city.
Serving in this way is not only an opportunity for today's youth to bring Christ to those in need but also an opportunity for Christ to open the eyes and change the hearts of those youth.
Through a complete urban immersion experience, participants are encouraged to reexamine their views of culture, tradition, race, economic class, and other issues involved in urban life.
And through serving and being served, Detroit residents and Urban Encounter missionaries have their hearts changed and eyes opened more to what God is doing in His kingdom. Urban Encounter missionaries are encouraged to hear God's call for them as individuals for a life of Christian mission.
Urban Encounter groups may spend any amount of time from one day to seven days in Detroit.
Trips are hosted by YouthWorks-Detroit staff and typically include the following: serving low-income, elderly, or vulnerable homeowners with minor home improvements, helping to mentor kids in an after-school program, contributing at community outreaches to the homeless, prayer, devotionals, activities and discussion aimed at spiritual growth, touring and learning Detroit's history, attending an urban church, enjoying a night-on-the-town and much more.
For more info or to pre-register your group, please email us your name, group name, phone number, and address at: [email protected]
Payments can be made via our payment page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during an Urban Encounter?
YouthWorks-Detroit will host your youth group, of 5 to 15 participants in size, for any duration from a weekend to a week long trip. We will provide all the accommodations including housing and food for your group (unfortunately we do not yet have a chef). Your group will have opportunities to serve the elderly, poor, and homebound through home improvements and helping at homeless outreaches around the city.
What happens outside of serving and eating?
Participants will be able to engage their faith and examine their lives in times of prayer, worship, and meditation. Through discussions, activities, evenings out, and a tour of the city, your group’s eyes will be opened to the broader picture of Detroit, what life is like here, why it is in its current state, and what Christ is doing to bring hope.
As a staff member of my youth group, what will my responsibilities be during our trip?
You will be the primary authority figure for your group. We will arrange almost every part of your trip, so there is not much for you to worry about in terms of what you are doing. It is our job to make sure you get everywhere you need to be and you know what to do. You will be responsible for supervision on the work site. We will give instructions and a lesson, if needed, for the work projects. We may not join you at every service site or on a night out, but we will always be on call if you have any needs or concerns.
What is the cost for a trip?
Your pride, notions of justice and independence, your life (it's not your own)...hey - we just wanted to make it fun for those of you who actually read these things! The general rate per person is $50/night's stay or $30 for 1 day. We would ask you to please e-mail us at
[email protected] with an estimate of the number of students and staff you intend to bring and the estimated length of your stay, and we will be more than happy to give you an estimated price and explain the different rates. We are flexible based on varying circumstances.
