The sponsors, the United Methodist Relief Center is committed to an ecumenical ministry of providing warm, safe, and dry housing to low-income families, the elderly or handicapped in the rural areas of the South Carolina low-country. Volunteers with building construction/ renovation skills are particularly important, but training is given under professional supervision

Hot Springs, NC

The opportunity to work with both the Jesuits and Sisters of Mercy in the Great Smokey Mountains of Appalachia. There may be opportunities for assisting in some home rehabilitation work, or helping in the Hispanic ministry with immigrants. There is a maximum of 6 student participants for this site..

Gulf Coast

At the end of both Gulf Coast experiences, there is an option to participate in the National Ignatian Family Teach-In on Racism and Poverty hosted by Loyola University New Orleans, and the New Orleans Province of the Jesuits.

Two opportunities present them selves in this area. Possibilities include working with Project Hope and Compassion out of Lizana, MS or with St. Vincent de Paul in Biloxi, doing much needed clean-up and rebuilding. Building construction/renovation skills are welcome, but you learn things on the job.

Much still needs to be done, and many neighborhoods have been barely touched. The group will be working with Catholic Charities Operation Helping Hands. The type of work for volunteers may be gutting homes which includes, removing walls, ceilings, floors and wiring from damaged homes. There is a lot of work that needs to be done so that the rebuilding can begin.