A group of students who will head out on a spring break Y-trip await a prayer of sending by Byron Peachey, associate pastor at EMU. Photo by Molly Kraybill.

Spring Break Y-Trips: A Labor of Love

by Mike Zucconi

Instead of sun, sand and surf, they will head to the inner cities or coal towns to perform a labor of love, doing so willingly and with much satisfaction.

Every year for spring break, several student groups spend the nine-day period doing service projects in various locales in the states – under the Young People’s Christian Association (YPCA) umbrella – instead of going home or heading to warmer climes.

2012 groups and destinations

  • DOOR (engaging God’s transformative work in the city) in Chicago
    co-leaders: Susan Peck and Litza Laboriel
  • JUMP (joint urban missionary partners in the Bronx, N.Y.) March 3-7 and Camp Deerpark (empowering youth to serve Christ in the city) March 7-11 Updates about this Y-Trip.
    co-leaders: Jamila Witmer and Nicole Groff
  • Habitat for Humanity (housing construction and repair) in New Orleans
    co-leaders: Erica Wagner and Mindy Esworthy
  • Mountain Justice (social change regarding dirty coal) in Appalachia, Va.
    co-leaders: Jacob Mack-Boll & Meg Smeltzer