Are you interested in going on a Spring Service Project, but unsure of what trip best fits your skills? Are you new to Northwestern and interested in learning more about SSPs?
On Wednesday, Nov. 5 from 5–7 p.m., an SSP Fair will be held in the Vermeer Dining Hall, SSP student leaders will be available to answer any questions students have about the 10-day service trips.
Because the international teams already are being formed, only the domestic sites will be represented at the fair.
“Many students, particularly freshmen, don’t know a lot about the SSP sites,” said Patrick Hummel, Director of Missions. “Most student leaders have been on previous SSPs to their site, so they know a lot about the ministries and the work that’s done.”
SSP applications will open on Nov. 10. Look for an announcement on the MyNorthwestern homepage, and follow the link to the PDF version. On the application, students list their top three location preferences.
Students can bring their applications and monetary deposit to Hummel’s office in the Ramaker Center.
“We will begin placing students onto teams as soon as the first application is turned in, so the sooner the better,” Hummel said.
Eleven domestic sites offer a unique experience for every team. The ministries at each site serve different groups of people, so students can sign up for teams that best utilize their skills and interests.
“All of our partner ministries are great,” Hummel said. “They value NW students coming, and we always get great reports back.”
The team going to Cary, Miss. led by Cody Hughes and Kelcie Scarlett, will work alongside the Cary Christian Center. For Cody Hughes, this year will be his third trip to Cary.
“My trips to Cary in the past have been pretty special, mostly due to the great people that make the Cary Christian Center what it is,” Hughes said.
Cary team members may participate in a variety of activities including an afterschool program, thrift store ministry or working with young or expecting mothers.
For the first time in four years, a team will travel to Annville, Ky., to work with Jackson County Ministries. Student leader Jessica Sawatzky is excited to be in a leadership role.
“I’ve participated in an SSP every year, and it has always been the best 10 days of the school year,” Sawatzky said. “I love getting to know new people, hearing their stories, and so far, I have enjoyed the challenge that comes with leading.”
Students with an interest in construction may be a good fit for this trip.
Additional domestic sites include: Urban Ventures in Minneapolis led by Melinda Raak; 2nd Mile Ministries in Jacksonville, Fla. led by Natalie Wheeler; Calvary Commission in Lindale, Tex., led by Joslynn Roth and Ben Guhl; City Youth Ministries in Jonesboro, Ark., led by Josh Potter and Kristin Schmiedt; Coldwater Foundation in Grand Marais, Minn., led by Ashley Maloney and Jenna Beeson; Compton Initiative in Compton, Calif., led by Delaney Dugger and Erin Van Horn; Hope for Opelousas in Opelousas, La., led by Jessie Riley and Britt Elms; Mt. Olive Ministries in Mt. Olive, Miss., led by Joey Hendershott and Elle Helmkamp; and Urban Impact in New Orleans, La., led by Brody Van Roekel and Taylor Stephens.
Although international SSPs will not be represented at the fair, students who participate in an SSP this year can consider going abroad next year during spring break. This year, NW will send teams to: Shelter Youth Hostels in Amsterdam, led by Callie Nordahl and Nathan Wheeler; United Christians International in the Central Plateau of Haiti, led by Scott Van Ravensway and Kelsey Brouwer; and The Moravian Church in Bluefields, Nicaragua, led by Emily Kubbe and Courtney Tucker.
“SSPs are an amazing experience that many are not likely to get again,” said student leader Callie Nordahl. “You are able to experience a completely different community and be involved with people on campus whose paths don’t normally cross with yours. It’s amazing.”
