Hey everyone! I have wifi for a few moments so I am going to upload as many assorted pics of us working and having fun as I can in that time! Don’t see your kid? Don’t panic! We haven’t misplaced anyone, I just don’t have pics from all groups right now!

One of the places that the entire group is blessed to be working with this week is Chosen 300. Chosen 300’s Mission Statement is below:

“To bring people of different membership groups together; helping them to realize that despite our differences in our race, ethnic group, denomination, social class, economic classes, or the diverse ways we practice our faith; we can unify ourselves for the common good.

The purpose of our unification is to distribute meals and services to the homeless throughout the Philadelphia Region and around the world. 

Learn more at http://chosen300.org/

While First Church of Lombard’s Youth Community is blessed to be staying here in Philadelphia, we also want to acknowledge that we are staying on the native lands of Lenapehoking (Lenni-Lenape)  people. Learn more about the Lenape people at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lenape

Hey everyone! We flew in this afternoon and then took two different trains, including the subway…with luggage.. whew! After a short orientation and dinner (mostly cheesesteaks, yay!), we are hanging at the church. Looking forward to starting work in the morning!

Just a few pics from the airport… and a cheesesteak. Many more pictures coming soon!

This week, we are guests of Old First Reformed UCC — a church which dates back to the 1700s! We are excited to be in the historic “Old City” in Philadelphia, even if it means sleeping on the floor!

Check out Old First Reformed UCC at https://oldfirstucc.org/

Lift-off is TODAY, right around 12:00 noon! We would love your prayers as we fly to Philly!

Thank you to the congregation at First Church of Lombard for commissioning the team and praying for us as the 2023 Youth Community Mission Team heads to Philadelphia on Sunday, June 18!

Please be patient as we compile all the pictures and videos from our trip and post them within the next week or so! Thanks!

While at first you might wonder if a member of the Youth Community Mission Team decided to set up her own donut shop, the truth is that we have been enjoying Maggie’s Donuts here in Hiram, Ohio all week long! Each day, one work team (a group of youth and adults) has walked over to Maggie’s to check out the delicious treats there… and for good reason!

The owners of Maggie’s are dedicated to providing jobs for developmentally disabled people who are seeking more independent employment than that offered by Hiram Farm, so this is a great opportunity to see those who have “graduated” from the Farm to more independent work! Plus, donuts!

Check out Maggie’s at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063596439165