“Think globally, act locally” is the philosophy that has caused me to add local mission trips to the programming schedule. I would like to share with you one particular program that I have found to be a great asset in teaching our young people about their Christian call to service. In a related article, Brianna Wong, a high school junior, also shares her experience of participation in this form of outreach.

Our parish is located in a rather wealthy suburb of New York City. Our teens (and adults for that matter) do not have ‘a face’ to put with words like hunger or homelessness. Although they understand these terms cognitively, very rarely do they see a person directly affected by these issues.

This is where Bridges steps in to fill the void. Bridges, a non-profit organization based out of Summit, New Jersey, has been providing bag lunches, clothing, toiletry items and most of all hope to the homeless and underprivileged since 1988. The two main geographic areas of service are New York City and Irvington, NJ. Our involvement was on a ‘Bridges Run’ to New York City.

What is a "Brides Run?"

Bridges seeks out partnerships with volunteer groups, religious or secular, to provide the resources and people needed to meet the food, clothing, and hygiene needs of approximately two thousand homeless persons every Friday night. A caravan, with supplies and volunteers, stops at three locations: Battery Park, the Fulton Fish Market, and under the Brooklyn Bridge. At each stop, individuals and families line up to receive a brown bag lunch, toiletry bag, clothing, a cup of hot soup, and most of all conversation. Being present to our ‘street friends’ is what is most valued by individuals on both sides. For many, we may be the only friendly voice they have heard all week, the only people to look them straight in the eye, and smile at them.

Benefits of Bridges

One of the greatest challenges we have in the field of youth ministry is providing opportunities for meaningful intergenerational involvement. Bridges allows for this in varied and meaningful ways.

• Parish Involvement: For several months prior to the run, youth group members asked the parish at large to donate trial size toiletry items: soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and the like. This allowed everyone in the parish to be involved. The collection was a huge success, with enough collected for this run and leftovers for the next time.
• Cookie Baking: Parishioners were also encouraged to bake cookies and place 4 to 6 cookies in a plastic bag for the bag lunches. This offered a way for those who could not physically go with us on the run to participate and feel part of the service outreach.
• Shopping: Part of our responsibility was to supply 600 bag lunches each containing a meat sandwich, piece of fruit, one sweet and one salty snack, and a drink. Teens and adults paired up to do the shopping.
• Community Building: Our middle school and high school youth, and some adults (mostly senior citizens), got together on a Thursday afternoon and evening to put together the 600 toiletry bags and 600 bag lunches. We also had some people sorting toiletry items.

The Run

On July 13, fifteen teens and adults ventured to Summit, New Jersey and met with Francis, a Bridges staff member (and former homeless person) who traveled with us. We spent forty-five minutes at each of the three locations. The first fifteen minutes were spent handing out items of need, and the remaining thirty were for conversation with our ‘street friends.’

One of the most powerful parts of the evening for our teens was when we met a homeless teen their age. This was a great dialogue starter on the way home.

Additional Benefits to Bridges

• Education: Prior to our run, Lois Bhatt, executive director of Bridges, came to speak to our group and shared with us the issues facing the homeless, as well as the commitment needed to participate. The entire parish was invited. Bridges provided a complimentary DVD, explaining in detail aspects of the organization. This made it possible for those who could not attend the speaking engagement to share in the education component.
• Low Cost: Mission trips can be costly. Often, the length of time spent fund raising exceeds the duration of the trip. High cost mission trips can exclude young people of lesser economic resources. Providing a local mission experience keeps costs low. Local merchants became involved by donating food and toiletries for our run. Parishioners donated super market gift cards so we can purchase needed items.
• Ability for Multiple Trips: Long distance mission trips are offered once a year or once every two years. Local mission trips can be offered multiple times during a program year. Accessing a variety of direct service organizations gives teens a broad spectrum of experiences.
• Volunteerism: Since the service is done locally, teens have the opportunity to volunteer on a regular basis in the areas that interest them most. For the first time, many become aware that there are needs in their own backyard. Needs that they can fulfill!