|
 
Designing
Local Service Projects
When you’re
designing local service projects for your SOYO group keep
the following helpful hints in mind:
1. Outreach
programs should start young – at least junior high age.
2. Outreach programs should always be followed up with
education and additional opportunities to serve.
3. Outreach programs should be chosen using specific
criteria.
- The project
should be “small” enough to be doable and “large” enough
to provide a sense of accomplishment.
- The project
should involve personal interaction with the people that
are being served.
- The project
should be recognized by others in the community as a ‘real
need” – this is for the benefit of the students who want
to know they’re making a difference and not just wasting
their time.
- The project
should “stretch” the participants – draw them out of their
comfort zone.
- The project
should allow enough flexibility for participants to
utilize their talents, knowledge, and experience.
- The project
should allow participants the freedom to express their
faith.
4. Outreach
programs should seek to partner with the local leadership
and culture in which you’re ministering.
5. Outreach programs should vary in duration and intensity.
6. Outreach programs should include substantial orientation
and debriefing.
Service Project Ideas
The following project ideas are a good place to start if
you’re trying to design service projects around the six
specific criteria we suggest.
- Soup
Kitchens
- Rescue
Missions
- Shelters
for Women and Children
- Group Homes
-
Convalescent Homes
- Hospitals
(especially Children Hospitals)
- Hospices
- Habitat for
Humanity
- Latchkey
Programs
- Tutoring
the Underserved
- Refugee
Assistance
- Shut-Ins
- Big
Brother/Big Sister
- Orphanages
- Sponsoring
a Child or Priest (in a Third World Country)
- Vacation
Bible School
- Ministering
to Families of Prisoners
- Indian
Reservations
- Disaster
Relief
|
