Indianapolis
Program or Partner
Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis
Program Description
Indiana’s motto is “Crossroads of America.” The Indy YAVs will live in the intersection of religious diversity, and work together to address issues of reconciliation and poverty. The goal of Indy YAV is to provide opportunities for deep engagement and cooperative work with people of diverse religious identities. YAVs will gain skills in helping the community live faithfully with difference. The work that will be undertaken will help to broaden understanding of the interfaith and ecumenical landscape of the Indianapolis community and the world, by working in partnerships with the Global Interfaith Partnership, Interfaith Hunger Initiative, Kenya Ministry Team, Nueva Creación Hispanic Bilingual Church, Westminster Neighborhood Ministries, Northside Ministry, SAWS, Building Tomorrow (Uganda), and Coalition for Christian Outreach (Butler CCO). Come to the crossroads and engage in the struggle.
Placement Opportunities (subject to change)
Global Interfaith Partnership: The Global Interfaith Partnership is a multi-faith coalition of congregations committed to meeting the immediate and longterm
needs of vulnerable children in western Kenya. Together our congregations developed the Umoja Project to respond to the issues facing orphans and vulnerable children in the Maseno Division of Nyanza Province. The vision of the Umoja Project is to develop a compassionate and comprehensive system of care which responds to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in Maseno Division.
Center for Interfaith Cooperation: The Center for Interfaith Cooperation (CIC) provides a platform and support for Central Indiana’s religious organizations and faith-based initiatives. Building on the region’s dense network of interfaith connections and informal dialogues, CIC strengthens and expands existing partnerships
in the community. It helps to bring about collaborations among and provides resources to the area’s existing religious communities, better equipping them to flourish in a world of many faiths.
Interfaith Hunger Initiative: All of our faith traditions share this in common: we are called to feed the hungry. The need is great: while sufficient food exists to feed them, still each day around the world 18,000 children die of hunger and related causes, and here at home 5,000 miss dinner most nights. The Interfaith Hunger Initiative consists of two dozen faith communities in the Indianapolis area who are working together to help end child and family hunger. We work together to create a system of access to food through pantries in central Indiana (with Gleaners Food Bank) and schools in Kenya (through the Umoja Project), feeding and supporting
thousands of children and families.
Building Tomorrow: Building Tomorrow envisions a world where every child with a desire to learn has a safe, permanent and local place to do so. Working towards this goal, Building Tomorrow empowers young people to invest their resources, time and talents in providing students in East Africa with access to an
education.
Westminster Neighborhood Ministries:Westminster Neighborhood Ministries is a Christian community on the Near Eastside of Indianapolis that works with the neighborhood, religious organizations, and community partners to serve local families by:
• Providing children’s programs that meet nurturing, safety, educational, and developmental needs,
• Providing food and clothing to meet the basic needs of neighborhoodfamilies, and
• Providing supportive services.
Northside Mission Ministry Team: The Northside Mission Ministry Team’s vision is to provide basic and social services to residents of Washington Township who are homeless, jobless, underemployed and underskilled and are in need of food, clothing, employment and medical assistance and job and life skills training. While
this ministry program must first meet the basic needs of families in a transactional manner, it is our goal to form relationships with individuals and families so we can provide transformational outreach that will help them get out of poverty and become self-sustaining. NMM envisions holistic enduring change that liberates individuals, rebuilds families, and revitalizes the community in order to break the cycle of poverty in Washington Township.
Servants at Work:Servants at Work, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3), all volunteer ministry. SAWs builds wheelchair ramps to provide persons with disabilities and
people with conditions of aging access, to their world while remaining in their communities. SAWs is an ecumenical ministry that welcomes and encompasses many
churches, denominations, faiths, and organizations. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and every vocation imaginable. Men and women alike help to provide freedom to those who would otherwise be trapped by everyday obstacles and financial circumstances.
The Christian Coalition for Christina Outreach :The CCO is a campus ministry that partners with churches, colleges and other organizations to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in every area of life. Our ministry is distinct in three ways:
1. Our ministry is transformational. We challenge the students we serve to submit every area of their lives to Jesus Christ.
2. We partner with churches, colleges, and other organizations, placing our staff in strategic positions of influence on campus. Most of our staff people serve as an arm of the local church on campus, while others work in the chaplain’s office or in multicultural relations, student services, wilderness ministry, service learning, athletics, or residence life.
3. We do contextual ministry, meaning that our staff people adjust to the needs of the particular campus at which they serve. No two CCO ministries look exactly alike.
Housing
YAVs live in an intentional community living context.
Intentional Community Aspects
While living in Intentional Christian Community, the YAVs are expected to develop a community covenant that will guide relationships and support the community throughout the year.
YAVs meet weekly as an intentional community to reflect on their mission experiences, concerns, vocational call, and faith journey. Volunteers lead Bible studies, book discussions, and commit to sharing the stories of their experiences in service and community through blogging, writing newsletters, and journaling. Volunteers also meet once a month for a joint service project and shared meal.
Requirements
Age: 20-29
Education: college desirable
Desired qualities
- 35-40 hours/week volunteering at one of the partner site placement agencies
- Live in Intentional Christian Community with fellow YAVs
- Living simply while still enjoying the abundance of God's gifts
- Own transportation (vehicle or bike)
Site Coordinator
David Berry
