VISION and Camp Talahi

VISION Service/Learning Trip to Back Bay Mission is scheduled for February 3-8, 2008. This trip is for 16 adults with some moderate to high skill in building trades. The cost will be approximately $200 for the week plus transportation to Biloxi. Please contact Marcia Beer for further information.

Following the crippling Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Back Bay Mission found itself with no habitable facilities. In fact, of the seven buildings, six have been demolished and the seventh is awaiting a complete interior rebuild. All ministries were discontinued for a few weeks before receiving two donated work trailers from which the staff resumed work and began shaping services to fit the space and the post-Katrina reality.

Within a few months workcamping, now more accurately called "disaster relief/recovery," began receiving work teams from across the country to help the Mississippi Gulf Coast dig out and rebuild. Three mobile homes now serve as housing for these inspired and inspiring groups. To learn more about Back Bay Mission go to www.backbaymission.com

OVERVIEW

Back Bay Mission is a Community Ministry of the United Church of Christ, located within the bounds of the South Central Conference of the UCC.  The agency is a Member of the Council for Health and Human Service Ministries (CHHSM).  Their Mission Statement is: Back Bay Mission, a community ministry of the UCC, serves the Mississippi Golf Coast and the wider church community by faithful witness for social justice and compassionate service to the poor and marginalized.

Back Bay is located in Biloxi, a small urban area on the Mississippi Golf Coast located approximately 90 miles east of New Orleans, 60 miles west of Mobile, and 150 miles south of Jackson.  After hurricane Katrina, the Biloxi area was changed forever.  Approximately 130,000 homes were either entirely destroyed or extensively damaged.  Some neighborhoods were wiped clean, leaving only barren slabs and lifeless streets behind.  Back Bay Mission lost nearly its entire campus to Hurricane Katrina.  One building of seven was salvaged.  Back By has made arrangements for hosting volunteer groups in 80 foot trailers until the new construction on campus is complete.

Work groups will help to rebuild homes damaged in the hurricane in Biloxi and/or Golfport.  Damage to homes in most cases was extensive, so the work is also extensive.  It is important that you know that the work will be hard.  You will have a balance of hands on work and have an opportunity to learn and explore the impoverished conditions that exist in Mississippi (and in your home state), along with discussion of some of the causes of poverty, post-Katrina redevelopment challenges and how they relate to causes of justice, and our ideas about the church’s and Mission’s role in responding.

Back Bay Mission functions as a national center for UCC work camps.  They believe that providing these work-study experiences for UCC individuals is of obvious benefit not only to the workcampers, their congregations, and the needy citizens of the Biloxi area.  Ideally, workcampers return home to tell folks about Back Bay’s ministry, thereby producing long-term support and prayers for Back Bay Mission.

Housing

You will be staying in one of two large air-conditioned/heated 80 foot mobile homes.  Each mobile home has equipped kitchens including various staples left behind by previous groups and checked for freshness by BBM staff. Groups are responsible for shopping and preparing their own meals.

The trailer has two full bathrooms and three sleeping areas with 7 bunk beds for a total capacity of 14. Groups must supply their own bed linens as well as toiletry articles and towels.  A washer and dryer for laundry are available in each trailer. There is an RV resort about 4 miles away. 

Transportation

Each participant will be responsible for transportation to and from Back Bay Mission.  Car pooling is encouraged or if you are flying arrangements will be made for pick up and drop off.

Health and Safety

Adult participants must sign a liability waiver.  These forms will be available at the orientation meeting. VISION will procure travel and liability insurance.  Each participant should have their own personal insurance as the primary insurance.  VISION will fax this information to BBM.

Each participant must have a recent tetanus immunization.  Cuts and scratches while working are common.

Work Activities and Schedule

Work may include such things as mold abatement, electrical/plumbing, carpentry, insulation, drywall, painting, and roofing.  Though all skill levels are welcome, some members of your group will need a moderate to high level of construction skill.  Special skills in electrical or plumbing are very helpful.

Back Bay Mission will make your work assignment and will provide guidance about work tasks for that week on each project.  Your group will need to identify a project foreperson for your work site.

Orientation begins late Sunday afternoon or early evening with a visit to potential work sites, when possible.  Work hours are normally Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am – 12 noon and 1:00 to 3:00 – 4:00.  Each day around 4:00 a meeting with BBM staff or Executive Director is scheduled.  In the evening there is a debriefing/evaluation session with BBM Staff.

Orientation Meeting

It is important for you to gather with your co-workers prior to your work trip.  An orientation is scheduled for Saturday, January 19 from 10-1:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ.  Please mark you calendars and save this date.  You will get to meet the other folks, work out transportation issues, and make task assignments – photographer, secretary/recorder, treasurer, health care, and other assignments.  You will also receive further information about the nature of the work you will be doing, what to bring, and an opportunity to hear from someone who has served in Back Bay recently.

Please contact Marcia Beer if you have any questions or concerns about this trip or would like to sign up.  517 332-3511 ext 209  or marcia@michucc.org