2013 Host Sites
The following have been confirmed as M.A.P. destinations for 2013 and we continue to add more. Check back, for this page will be updated regularly.
Benton Harbor, MI - Readiness Center (7)
Founded in 1980, the Readiness Center helps families of Benton Harbor break the cycle of poverty by educating the entire family. The center provides a variety of educational opportunities for both parents and their school children. Volunteers will assist with the preschool programs as well as the center's other ministries.
Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (4)
Brooklyn School for Collaborative Studies (BCS), located in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, prepares young people for success in college and postsecondary careers. Students range from shelter kids to kids from working class families, grades 6 through 12. BCS promotes a rigorous and engaging curriculum. Volunteers can expect to engage in the education of the students and assist in the completion of long papers and college-style essays. Volunteers will be housed by teachers in close proximity to Brooklyn.
Canton, MS - MadCAAP (12)
Madison Countians Allied Against Poverty is a community agency dedicated to eradicating poverty in the town of Canton, MS and throughout Madison County. Typical projects working with MadCAAP include home repairs such as painting, installing siding and basic carpentry work. Participants typically spend time getting to know the home owners who live in poverty and may work alongside them on their home. This trip supplies hands-on education about the problem of extreme poverty in the United States and what one community is doing to combat it.
Chelsea, MI- Tantré Organic Farm (12)
Tantré Farm’s mission is to produce fresh, healthy foods for the local community, provide quality of life for the farmer, and sustain economic viability for the farm with care and respect for nature’s diversity. Expect this trip to be a little more physically challenging than others. Volunteers will work on the farm and live simply while gaining a better understanding of organic farming.
Chicago, IL- Aid for Women (6)
Aid for Women helps to provide answers to questions regarding sexual health. This center provides a safe environment for those who are seeking help during an unplanned or dangerous pregnancy. Volunteers will be interacting with clients of the center and helping with administrative work.
Cincinnati, OH- Franciscans for the Poor (12)
What makes Franciscans for the Poor unique is that you will be scheduled to work some place different every day. Depending on the community’s needs, service could include helping at schools for the mentally and physically disabled, homeless shelters, nursing homes, serving at soup kitchens or food pantries, and helping with minor home repair. At these sites you will have the opportunity to work and visit with those you serve.
Detroit, MI - Detroit Catholic Worker (7)
The Detroit Catholic Worker or Day House is in the inner city neighborhoods of Detroit, just a few blocks from Tiger Stadium. In
the morning, students will help prepare and serve food at the soup kitchen. Some help may also be needed during the day to answer the phone or door, prepare meals, or clean the house. The rest of the time the group is free to help with any social justice activities at the house.
Enid, OK - Habitat for Humanity (18)
Enid, Oklahoma is home to about 50,000 people, and exhibits a strong sense of community that students will feel very much a part of. Students will work with the local Habitat chapter to build a house for an Enid, OK family. This may entail beginning work, such as framing, roofing, and siding the house, or later stages, such as painting and building flower beds. Usually, students are able
to build the house alongside the family who will be living there.
Erie, PA - L’Arche Communities (4)
L’Arche communities attempt to build a normalized family environment for the mentally and physically disabled. Students will have the opportunity to live and work with the community members in a variety of capacities. Activities may include working in the wood shop, touring local malls or walking along the lake front with the wheelchair group, spending the day with handicapped children, or going shopping with the elderly members of the community. Not a very physically challenging trip, yet emotionally, it will leave you exhausted at the end of the day. The group may be split up to live in different houses during the week, but will meet up each day for activities. In Erie, the activities may include assisting with daily activities (cooking, cleaning, etc.), yard work, painting,
and "Spring House."
Ivanhoe, VA - The Ivanhoe Civic League (12)
Ivanhoe, Virginia is the ideal M.A.P. trip for you if you love to learn about the history of the places you visit and are looking to immerse yourself in the life of a community. In the face of the many struggles that have ensued after its mine closed, this small town of 650 has united to rebuild their community in a way that will inspire you. The Ivanhoe Civic League and residents will work alongside your group on tasks such as painting, gardening, and restoring old homes or the town park throughout the week. Participants will sleep on the floor of the Ivanhoe Firehouse and all meals will be provided. Be prepared to let the Spirit move you to learn about simple living from the people you will meet and the stories you will hear. You may even have the chance to kick up your heels in true flat-footing style.
Joplin, MO - Rebuild Joplin (12)
May 22, 2011, Joplin was directly hit by an F5 multi-vortex tornado. Through church outreach programs, volunteers will spend five days learning more about the community of Joplin, MO and working to rebuild and restore the community. Housing will be provided through a local church.
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Rescue Mission (6)
The Kansas City Rescue Mission works to empower the homeless in Kansas City by helping them break the cycle of poverty and addiction. Volunteers will help the Rescue Mission and those it serves by serving meals, helping with game nights, and working on building maintenance. You will have the opportunity to build relationships with those you serve.
Montgomery, AL - Resurrection Catholic Missions (7)
Located in the capital of Alabama, Resurrection Catholic Missions reaches out to the community around it. Some of the things that you may do here include assisting in the child care center, working in Resurrection Catholic School (tutoring, P.E., reading, etc.), assisting with the elderly outreach program, gardening, or assist with the addiction counseling program.
Nashville, TN - Smithson Craighead Academy (12)
SCA is primary school recently founded by Sister Sandra Smithson in 2003. As Spring Break for students at SCA coincides with Spring Break for Marquette, this is an opportunity to work closely with Sister Sandra as well as administrators, teachers, and community volunteers in fixing up the school. As the school was damaged in the bad flooding that occurred in Nashville last year, it is in dire need of repairs and restoration for the kids to come back to a more positive learning environment. Day-to-day activities range from painting and replacing ceiling tiles, to cleaning and organizing the different classrooms."
Oglala, SD – Pine Ridge Reservation (12)
The projects and immersion will be in connection with Our Lady of the Sioux Parish. Volunteers will be introduced into the culture, social justice issues, and the people of Oglala and Red Cloud Missionary system. The work will be specifically through Our Lady of the Sioux Parish in collaboration with the pastoral associate, who is an active member of the Oglala Sioux tribe.
Roanoke, VA- St. John’s AME Church (12)
Delaney Court is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in a wonderful, small community of about 100 residents. Be prepared to work with residents while your group takes on tasks such as painting, gardening, restoring old homes, and doing other work as needed throughout the week. Participants will enjoy delicious meals provided by the community. Explore simple living and learn from the people you will meet and the stories you will hear.
St. Louis, MO - De La Salle Middle School (6)
This is a Jesuit Parish which has been serving the African-American community of St. Louis for many years. People serving in this placement can expect to do nursing home visitation, youth programming and activities, home repair, and even gardening. You can be sure you will have good contacts with people in this needy, yet vibrant community.
Washington, DC - Fr. McKenna Center (12)
Expect to be immersed in the urban poverty issues that are part of everyday life in Ward 6. Volunteers will be introduced into the economic and social justice issues, and the homeless men of Washington D.C. Those placed at this site will work with the homeless through meal programs and other service work the center needs.
Campus Ministry
