2024 Youth Mission Trip Report: A Transformative Journey to Chicago

This summer, our youth embarked on a mission trip to Chicago. We had a great time and learned so much about the experience of our neighbors in the Woodlawn neighborhood. As we served, this trip helped us build character, compassion, and to embark on a spiritual journey that will leave a lasting impact.

Val: “It was very emotional. We felt sadness, disgust, and disappointment. But we also experienced hope and new friendships.”

The Bridge Builder program, part of Sunshine Gospel Ministries, provided our youth with an opportunity to pair service with education. This program is designed for youth from outside the context of the Black inner-city experience to learn and serve within that community.

As outsiders in the community, our youth experienced a small taste of what it feels like to be “the other.” They were taught and learned about many of the realities of the African American experience, both historically and in the present day. They visited a civil rights museum, explored historic sites, and engaged in learning activities that shed light on unjust systems of law enforcement and government that have historically marginalized African American citizens and, in many cases, continue to do so. Our youth learned about overt racism, systemic racism, poor race relations, fear of “the other,” and racial conflict. They also learned how these issues not only harm the black community but also implicate the white community as complicit perpetrators.

Nick: “When you think of Southside Chicago, you think of gangs. When you come, you just find regular people trying to get through their day. That’s the most important thing I learned. The poverty simulation was wonderful.”

The program emphasized the concept of Shalom—harmony with God, ourselves, our neighbors, and the world. Our team learned that sin has damaged this harmony in the world, and they witnessed examples of this in Chicago. Much of their service and learning focused on understanding sin and disharmony and how they can contribute to restoring Shalom in the community and the world.

During their time in Chicago, the youth engaged in community service alongside an eco-artist named William and his life partner. They worked primarily in neighborhood gardens, transforming vacant, garbage-filled lots into artistic gardens. This work not only beautified the community but also helped restore harmony among its people and the land. Additionally, the youth participated in other landscaping projects and distributed leaflets to promote an upcoming community celebration.

Gus: “We had great food. We did important work. And we talked about Jesus. I would totally do this again.”

As part of our donor model to fund the trip, our youth also performed community service in various settings as part of a “community service-athon.” Here are some of the ways they contributed:

• Youth Ministry
• Vacation Bible School
• Serving at Safe Harbor
• Serving at Old Town Playhouse Christmas Cabaret
• Parent’s Night Out
• Food Rescue

Each participant contributed at least 10 service hours before leaving on the trip.

Reflections from Our Youth and Volunteers

Here’s what some of our youth had to say about their experiences:

• Abby: “It was fun meeting the people and learning about the community.”
• Erica: “It was really great learning new perspectives. Our guide CW did a really good job with that.”
• Annie: “CW did a good job teaching us, using his experience growing up in the inner city. I learned about the systems that need to change so that people can get out of poverty and Black Americans can experience equality.”

Our volunteers and leaders also shared their thoughts:

• Jeff: “It was immensely humbling being exposed to the struggle of poverty that currently exists within the United States. Being around, being in, and learning from this experience has changed us all for the better in terms of awareness.”
• Bob: “I never knew how bad the situation was with poverty and homelessness and the difficulties African Americans in the inner cities face. I learned a lot. I was never taught these things growing up. The youth did a phenomenal job working in all the gardens. Eager to learn and rarely needed direct guidance. A credit to themselves and their parents, Tara and Pastor Linda for their guidance and love. I think I learned more than anyone else because I had so much to learn. These kids can teach you more than just being a kid. They have wisdom and experience anyone can learn from. Thanks for letting me tag along.”
• Tara: “It’s been a privilege being here with the youth and seeing them just have life-changing experiences, learning and growing in empathy, practicing service, fellowship, and faith formation. This was an undeniable success!”

Gratitude and Next Steps

We look forward to continuing this journey of service and learning in the future. To make a gift to support future Youth Mission Trips and projects , please visit our website at tccentralumc.org/giving 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Tara DeGroot, Erica Kozlowski, and the Mission Group & Youth Crew