Comunidad San Dimas in San Francisco is a ministry of tough love. We seek out gangbangers, addicts and dealers and invite them into our community by offering them true identity and freedom in Christ. For many of our neighbors, being stuck between two worlds is a harsh reality. We take to heart God’s call to love the prisoner, the immigrant, and the alien, and make them welcome.

The San Dimas team spends a lot of time in juvenile hall, in Casa San Dimas (our transitional house for boys), and just hanging out over pizza. We provide support for the army of CSD volunteers that has arisen out of the community, and we network between many different churches and faith groups (including the San Francisco Organizing Project). We jump on leadership potential and involve former gang members and crack dealers in Bible studies, English lessons, homework tutoring, and job-hunting. We’re also passionate about ecumenism (inter-denominational ministry) and overcoming differences within the community in order to strengthen the Body of Christ.

Requirements:

• conversational Spanish
• must be 20 or older
• learning attitude
• comfortable working with Catholics, Protestants & Evangelicals

Preferences:

• cross-cultural experience
• love dancing (you will by the end of the summer!)
• expert auto mechanic (just kidding…sort of)
• knowledge/desire to learn more about immigration law

Urban Resurrection seeks to create Christ centered community transformation by empowering West Coconut Grove residents to organize, plan for, create and sustain a vibrant, high quality and diverse neighborhood in collaboration with community partners.

We accomplish this through four main avenues: VOICE, BEATS, Ujima Initiative, and networking/capacity BEATS Miami development. VOICE creates the opportunity for neighbors to express their thoughts and dreams and create actionable plans together. BEATS uses urban arts to create a venue for the youth of our community to express themselves and to learn skills that are both marketable and awakening to their souls, we also incorporate evangelism and discipleship/mentoring . The Ujima Initiative helps neighbors help each other in practical ways and create a stronger community. We also use networking and consulting between organizations, churches, and institutions in order to develop a stronger overall collaboration for community development.

Requirements:

• Desire to work with people of African descent – Reconciliation
• Strong Relational Skills
• Desire to work inter-generationally
• Will live in community
• Must be 21 or older

Preferences:

• Of African descent (ie. African American, Islanders, etc.)
• Male (at least one)
• Cross Cultural experience
• Self-starter, has initiative
• Artistic
• Committed to learning

Economic Initiative Internship

We are looking for people that have a heart for business ministry, someone that understands systems, likes organizing and administration.

This internship will be working directly with our Book Initiative, teaching neighbors how to provide income, maintain a personal business, and setting goals by buying and selling books online. Interns will assist John Tiersma Watson on creating a system for better movement, storage, and distribution of books, as well as learning about business legalities and enlarging the technological tools of this program.

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Requirements:

• Some spanish

Preferences:

• Experience with database technology
• Business

Spend a summer pursuing holistic mission in the barrios of Caracas, Venezuela. Join with the InnerChange community in seeking God’s kingdom in the love of the Son and the power in the Spirit: Visit the sick, love the outcasts, work with children, and make friends with the “sinners”. Participants will live in the barrio and experience the rhythm of day to day life in this very interconnected community.

Built on the steep hillsides of Caracas, the barrios of Venezuela are afflicted heavily by violence and spiritual oppression. Families live with the constant turmoil of loss and frequent crime. Yet the barrios are bound together by a strong sense of community and respect. In this environment, InnerCHANGE is working alongside community leaders and community outsiders to see churches spring up and grow, transforming the barrio from the inside out.

Requirements:

• Spanish (the more the better, no beginners though)and willingness to grow in the language
• Previous cross cultural experience.
• Heart for the poor.
• Willingness to try and fail in language, cultural engagement, and mission.
• Openness to giftings of the spirit and their expression.

Preferences:

• Experience in Latin America.
• Adventurous spirit.
• Be at boundary phases/recent graduates or soon to be graduates (possibly looking at joining the team).
• Be willing to get dirty and get sick.