Sierra Service Project, or SSP, provides service opportunities during the summer and school year for middle and high school youth groups. SSP is:
- Challenging service. Youth take on complex projects, learn to safely use power tools, and cultivate teamwork and problem-solving skills.
- Fun! The SSP experience includes a tradition of games, songs, and lasting friendships.
- Safe & Dependable. SSP has 40 years of youth service, leadership, and home repair knowledge, is dedicated to physical and emotional safety, and provides nutritious meals and spiritual support to all volunteers.
- Intercultural engagement. Working with others to strengthen communities different from their own allows youth to experience new cultures in an authentic way.
- Community-based, transformative service learning experience.
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 California-Nevada Conference of the United Methodist Church was well-represented with 491 of those volunteers coming from 45 California-Nevada UMC churches!
Ed Harris is the Youth Leader at Foothills United Methodist Church in Cameron Park, CA, and has organized several trips for the youth at the church, who has been sending youth to serve with SSP for many years. He says his youth, “consistently come back from SSP energized, passionate, and eager to share about their spiritual growth and the important connections they experienced with teammates and service recipients.” SSP is not just a week in the summer, however, as Harris explains that, “[SSP] helps keep our youth engaged and participating throughout the year as we prepare for our summer SSP trip.”
“[SSP] helps keep our youth engaged and participating throughout the year (…)”
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. We also offer scholarships to groups and individuals who may not otherwise be able to attend.
Groups of all sizes can enroll, and no group is too small. Those interested, including individual youth, may register where space is available. Call (916) 488-6441 or click today for more information!
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.