St. Francis The Episcopal Church In Potomac

Team Leaders                                                              David Hirsch, Craig Windham, Betsy Harrison, Maddie Bahar

Pristine beaches, resorts and excellent fishing spots span 26 miles along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi. But some areas present a picture that is not as scenic. The local town of D’Iberville and surrounding areas are working hard to restore their community after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Your group will work with children and help with work projects to help bring normal life back to residents of this community still struggling to recover.

Demographics  Located on the Gulf of Mexico, D’Iberville, Mississippi is home to approximately 7,600 residents. D’Iberville became a city only recently, breaking away from Biloxi in 1988. Tourism is a major economic driver for this and surrounding communities. The area is home to several golf resorts, casinos and delicious seafood eateries. But this region was severely damaged by Hurricane Camille in 1969 and again by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. This devastation has intensified the problems of poverty, unemployment and lack of housing. The post-Katrina unemployment rate in D’Iberville and surrounding communities has ranged from 17.4 to 24.3 percent. While the area population is nearing its pre-Katrina numbers, nearly 12 percent of the population lives in poverty, including 17 percent of those under age 18. Come to the Gulf Coast for a life-changing service opportunity in a community that needs Christ’s servants now more than ever.

About the Ministry We focus on two primary areas of ministry: children and home improvement. Our work with children consists of a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, known as Kids Club. Kids Club offers high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Work projects include minor home repair and painting projects. Due to the changing needs of the communities affected by Hurricane Katrina, YouthWorks will be flexible in our service here at Gulf Coast. Adult leaders will separate youth into ministry groups, and the youth in your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service. Due to multiple church groups and varying needs of the community, we cannot confirm until all groups arrive on site exactly what service your youth will be involved with. We ask that you come to serve with a willing and flexible spirit.

Activities  Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants an insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. Examples of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: visit nearby beach; visit a Hurricane Katrina memorial; attend a local church service; attend a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided.