Building for the Future Mission Projects
These mission projects- local, national and international, are funded by Building for the Future Stewardship funds. Firm project plans are described below.
Local Project: Barnabas Youth Opportunities Center
BYOC is a Presbytery Extra Commitment Opportunity located at Trumbull and Grand River in Detroit. The Barnabas Center began June 1, 1983, as a program of the Presbytery of Detroit to encourage and assist youth to discover, prepare for, and engage in meaningful and fulfilling work.
In this setting of learning skills (woodworking, computer, gardening, painting, etc.) the youth are taught life skills. Tutoring the academic subjects is also available at the center.
Stanley Edwards, Barnabas Center founder, has shared the BYOC story at University Presbyterian Church. He established the center 28 years ago to help the youth.
The center uses woodworking as a basis for much of its teaching. It is always in need of old wood furniture donations. The youth will refurbish the furniture and then sell it to raise much needed funds for the center.
We have had an on going relationship with the Barnabas Center since 2008. Our work projects at BYOC have included painting, fencing, flooring, outdoor cleanup, electrical work and landscaping. We plan to have five to six workdays at Barnabas Youth Opportunities Center in 2011.
If you are interested in participating in any part of this exciting project, or if you have questions, please contact the church office at 248-375-0400.
National Project: New Orleans School Library
This national Building For The Future project was completed in 2008. Working through an organization, Children Incorporated, UPC helped to restock a library in Fischer Elementary School, New Orleans, Louisiana. Money was provided for the purchase of books, furniture, and equipment to restock a library devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The school librarian compiled an order that was reviewed by the Mission Committee and UPC members who are librarians. Also UPC members purchased specific books for the school library. Over 200 books were sent to New Orleans.
The children in New Orleans will benefit from this Building For The Future project for many years to come.
International Project: Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Costa Rica (2011)
UPC traveled to San Jose, Costa Rica from July 2 to July 9, 2011. There were 55 workers on this intergenerational mission trip. Currently, we are continuing our partnership with the Costa Rican Evangelical Presbyterian Church through a "two cents a meal" offering to the church's community feeding programs. Read about our experiences in Costa Rica at upccostarica.blogspot.com!
