On To Motown
A Senior High Mission Trip

Dates: June 21-30, 2010

The senior high mission trip has taken a turn since last report. Our friends at Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) were unable to get us into their youth camps (they only offer two weeks at two locations) and were unwilling to budge on the age requirements for all of the other camps. While searching on the Presbyterian website for somewhere that could use our energy, we discovered a different opportunity in Detroit called the U.S. Social Forum (USSF). The mission trip team decided to look into the USSF option and called the coordinator. We were greeted by the most southerly and hospitable woman, who assured us that there was room for us in Detroit.

The U.S. Social Forum (USSF) will take place June 22-26, 2010, at Cobo Hall and Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit. Other workshops and community art and culture programs will take place across the city. The USSF will convene social movements from across the United States and globally. Organizers are reaching out to young people, people of color, unionists, laid off and unorganized workers, welfare recipients, veterans, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, freedom fighters, collectives and many others.

Key aims are to create an open space and a process for creating movement convergence and coordination, raise awareness of social justice issues, provide opportunities to share experiences and discuss strategies that create social change and solutions to the problems facing people across our many struggles, sectors, regions and diversity.

"Detroit is ground zero for the economic crisis facing millions of people, not only here in Michigan, but across the nation," says Maureen Taylor, a USSF staff organizer and chair of the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO). "We are really pleased to host this historic event, and we're sure that what happens in Detroit will have a huge impact not only here but elsewhere."

The USSF convergence offers a youth track which will allow youth from across the country to meet and talk about social issues facing the country and their future. The youth track offers opportunities for service projects in the Detroit area. Once The USSF convergence is over we will stick around for a few extra days to offer our hearts, minds, and bodies for service in the Detroit area. We will also get a chance to explore this interesting and historic city.

Senior high participants are youth graduating from grades 9-12. If you are interested in learning more contact Sarah Bigwood in the church office or email her at youth@valleychurch.net.