Dayton Christian Center hosts Emerge Mission young volunteers

Young volunteers from Dayton, Columbus and Lebanon will gather for three days of community service.
By: Philip E.L. Greene
 
July 7, 2011 - PRLog -- DAYTON -- To rejuvenate means to restore a youthful and vigorous appearance; to make young again.  In the case of a neighborhood, it’s tending to once-vital features that have been too long abandoned and neglected, making them, and the surrounding area, something to be proud of again.  It’s a appropriate thing to do.

What makes it more appropriate is that, over three days next week,  that rejuvenation – that returning to youth – will be done by young people themselves.

On July 11, 12, and 13, the young people of the First Baptist, Kettering (FBK) Emerge Mission Project will take part in volunteer activities all around Dayton.  One of the largest projects will take place at the Dayton Christian Center where, on July 11 and 13, the volunteers will begin the beautification process on an abandoned public park located on Ferguson Ave, and several abandoned properties in the surrounding neighborhood.

“This isn’t something that we’re going to accomplish on one or two days,” said DXC Associate Executive Director Sarah Williams said.  “They didn’t get in this condition in a day or two, and we can’t expect to get them back the way they were in a day or two.  But we can make a start and that’s what we’re doing over the next few days.”

In addition to working in the neighborhood, the youths will also be taking part in classroom activities at DXC’s In God’s Hands Childcare facility located at 1352 W. Riverview Ave.

Then, on July 12, they will be tending crops, clearing underbrush and picking up refuse in and around the Feed Dayton Urban Farm located on DXC property at 1820 E. Fifth St.  Altogether, there will be between 25 and 50 young people donating their time and effort to the DXC projects, according to Williams.

Cathy Guerrant of Catholic Social Services who is coordinating the project, said that there will be nearly 130 young people involved throughout three day event.  Other Emerge projects will be taking place at St Vincent Hotel, House of Bread, Bethany Village, Miami Valley Family Care Center (where there will be a soccer camp held) United Rehabilitation Services, and Compassion first, Guerrant said.

The Emerge Mission Project was created by FBK Youth Minister Nick Osborn several years ago to encourage service and charity in the young members of his church.  Since then, it has sent young volunteers all over the US and Canada but has concentrated its efforts on the Dayton community since 2008.  The mission is also open to smaller churches in the Dayton Metro area that may not be able to offer service opportunities to their young people.

For now, the young volunteers will concentrate on making a neglected neighborhood a little more vibrant.

“This used to be a beautiful and proud neighborhood,” Williams said.  “If you look around that the houses here you can see that.  But over the years, things change, sometimes not for the better.  We’re going to do what we can to turn that around.”

Dayton Christian Center is a community action organization established in 1921 by the American Baptist Ministries and is one of 17 such centers nationwide.  It offers volunteer opportunities to any interested individuals or groups throughout the Miami Valley.  More information on how to get involved may be obtained by calling 937-275-7174.

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Dayton Christian Center is a faith-based non-profit community action organization founded in 1921 by the National Baptist Ministries, USA; one of 19 such centers in the US. Our mission is Enriching and Empowering Lives, One Choice At A Time.
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Source:Philip E.L. Greene
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