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Student Missions

Philadelphia, PA

June 23-29

Who are we partnering with?
Productive Lives is a missions organization focused on motivating impoverished people to improve their lives through sharing the gospel and training in Servant Living and Leadership. “We are committed to serving the people of inner city Philadelphia through partnerships with local churches and ministries. Our focus is on addressing the critical needs of the community by engaging in impactful projects such as partnering with local schools, food distribution programs, and construction projects. By working alongside local churches and ministries, we are able to build relationships and gain a deeper understanding of the needs of the community.”

What are we doing?
Philadelphia is a place of great need, but also a place of great opportunity. We have partnered with already established ministries in the community to support and work with. This provides us ways to create last change through our service as well as sustained partnerships and relationships in the community.
  • Help out with youth groups and special events
  • Work on various construction projects
  • Assist with weekly food distribution programs
  • Share your story with others
  • Join special outreaches to the community
  • Help with neighborhood visitation
  • Cleaning up the city

Where are we going?
The majority of our work will be Kensington and South Philadelphia. Kensington has traditionally been known as one of the working class centers of Philadelphia. Initially, employment focused around the nearby waterfront and the activities of fishermen and ship- and boatbuilders. In the early 19th century, Kensington transitioned to iron and steel manufacturing and became home to a variety of factories, potteries, and machine works.
By the mid-19th century, Kensington became one of the leading centers of the textile industry, particularly in carpet. McNeil Laboratories began with the purchase of a pharmacy in the area in 1879 by the company's namesake. In 1903 Mother Jones organized a "Children's Crusade" of children from the local mills and mines to protest against child labor. They marched from Kensington to Oyster Bay, New York, carrying banners demanding, "We want to go to School and not the mines!"
Deindustrialization eventually took hold in the neighborhood in the 1950s, leading to a significant population loss, high unemployment, economic decline, and abandoned homes. However, some sections of the neighborhood have been revitalized in recent years, especially those near Frankford Avenue, Kensington's neighbor south of Lehigh Avenue, and Fishtown, another traditionally working-class neighborhood which has seen rents increase. While most of the large manufacturers have left, the area has many small shops and large renovated factories and warehouses for newer artisans to set up shop.

What are we doing?

TENTATIVE Schedule June 23- Friday June 29
  • Sunday: leave after worship service and lunch, initial training
  • Monday: Work Projects
  • Tuesday: school outreaches and kids clubs
  • Wednesday: Tourist Day, Kids club in the evening
  • Thursday: Food Distribution, Teen Club Outreach
  • Friday: return home
  • Return Saturday July 31st
Housing Arrangements
Teams will stay at one of two lodging locations.

We are asking for $100 per person deposit due March 20. Because of the generosity of Calvary givers with previously raised funds, we will be able to cover the rest of the costs of the trip.

Expectations on the Trip
Represent Christ in your actions and attitude
  • Be prepared to serve and “get dirty”
  • Be ready at a moment’s notice to lead your assigned game, skit, song, testimony, lesson, etc.  
  • Be encouraging to your fellow team members.
  • Not complain about being tired, hot, hungry, bored, annoyed, etc.
  • Eat and Sleep when scheduled
  • Live by the rule “you don’t have to like it, but you do have to try it.”

Mandatory Meetings
March 20th at 6pm
  • Informational meeting
  • Deposit due
April 17th at 6pm
  • Pray as a team
  • Assignments for games, songs, testimonies, and teaching for the trip
  • Take home devotional prep guides
June 2nd (Sunday) at 12pm
  • Pray as a team
  • Practice our assigned games, songs, testimonies

IS THIS SAFE?

Yes. In the time that productive lives and cornerstone church has been working in Kensington no member of their staff has been the victim of violent action. Some members have been victim of petty crime (e.g. purses stolen from cars, lost cell phones permanently missing, vandalism). Groups that stay together are safe. During the trip no one is permitted to go anywhere by themselves, and we will stay indoors in a safe facility after dark. While I cannot make guarantee "nothing will happen"--things happen in the safest environments--I can promise that we will take utmost care to ensure that your student is watched over and carefully kept throughout the week. 

How to Pray For Us

Our Mission: pray for the people we will serve that we will be a wonderful blessing to them and that we will be able to share the gospel with them through our actions and our words. 

Growth: pray that each of the students (and leaders) will grow in Christ through this challenges of this trip. 

Safety: pray that our work environments may be accident free and that our travels will be safe.

Funds: pray that God will provide, financially, for us to go on this trip.