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The Pittsburgh Project is an organization on the North Side of Pittsburgh that helps vulnerable homeowners. They repair homes for poor and elderly. Not only is housework done, but they also brighten the spirits of homeowners. |
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Though the Pittsburgh Project does have full time staff members, it is mainly a service camp for students. For one week in July, Monday through Friday, Kaos goes down to the Pittsburgh Project. This retreat strengthens your faith and makes you appreciate what you have. |
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The Pittsburgh Project is a converted Catholic church and school building. During the summer days, this building provides schooling for local children. The upper rooms are filled with bunk beds where the campers sleep. The camp provides a cafeteria for meals, a playground for fun, and a coffee shop to relax in after a long day of work. While not working, the camp is like a home away from home, containing many activities and qualities of home. |
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The main purpose of this trip is in fact, to work. We are assigned worksite groups, including a leader. These groups include six to seven students from your church. Throughout the week, you spend most of your time with these people, so you grow very close. The students leave for work each day after an early morning worship. The jobs that we perform for homeowners include painting, carpeting, dry walling, and yard work. It's amazing how little these people have, yet how gracious and thankful they are for what they do have. This lesson hits you hard as you get a chance to sit and get to know these wonderful people. |
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Even though this trip is designed to serve, it is also filled with worship and bible studies. At least twice everyday, we all get together in the chapel for a time of singing and fellowship. The bible story is continued through the week. After the week is over, we meet and reflect. Everybody makes a commitment that they will hopefully follow for the rest of their lives. |
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This week is spent away from friends and family, so you rely on friends for support and comfort. Friendships are made and strengthened. When this week comes to an end, you absolutely don't want to leave. You get a certain connection to this place that makes it feel like home. |
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