Detroit Summer Outreach
Where it all started.
In 1995, YouthWorks-Detroit was founded as a summer job and internship program by two middle school teachers, Stan Mathay and David O’Connor. While working in the city, they witnessed the effects of decades of discrimination and division. They longed to see unity, reconciliation and justice, and they believed the power of relationship could play a pivotal role in seeing this vision unfold. Members of a global Christian brotherhood, Stan and Dave invited college-age young people from around the world to spend their summer working in the city alongside Detroit youth.
The results were profound. Walls crumbled, relationships were built and young people from all four corners of the globe forged deep bonds, each catching a glimpse of the transformative power of community.
Each of the 25 summers that have followed, YWD has remained committed giving college students from around the world the life-changing opportunity to join us for a 9-week internship where they will have the chance to live and serve in Detroit, receiving the formation needed to live a radical life of mission.
Gather.
The community that develops between staff, interns and our youth is the foundation to all we do. As such, we take intentional time throughout DSO to pour into relationships and grow together as disciples. Interns live together in households built upon common prayer, meals and service and have extensive opportunity to grow as sisters and brothers, forming bonds that can last a lifetime.
Give.
Whether landscaping with Street Team or helping to run summer camp with Bezalel, there are no shortage of opportunities to work as Christ’s hands and feet. We don’t sugar coat it, DSO is going to be a challenge. But every day is an opportunity to empty ourselves, just like Jesus does, and see His power made perfect in our weakness.
Grow.
God has used DSO as a catalyst for profound change in the lives of our interns. Many who have served with us have gone on to become radical leaders in their respective corners of the church. We take time over the course of the summer to provide our interns with the Christian formation needed to live a lifetime set apart for the growth of the Kingdom.
The Bezalel Project
Interns who are invited to work with The Bezalel Project will get the opportunity to assist in running our summer day-camp for young people aged 8 to 13. Expect to laugh a lot, make some messes, and powerfully encounter Jesus through His ‘little ones’.
Street Team
Interns who are invited to serve with Street Team will lead and mentor our work crews, where High Schoolers from the city are employed to complete various beautification projects around our community. Each day will be an invitation to walk alongside our youth as they grow into leaders and act as Christ’s hands and feet in their neighborhoods.