The Trips

FOCUS group themes:

• Hunger: Hunger goes into soup kitchen, food banks, and community kitchens to feed and distribute food to those who need it. Past sites have included the Boston Rescue Mission, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and Community Servings.

• Homelessness: Homelessness works in homeless shelters, helping the shelters in their day-to-day work. This may include sorting clothes, making beds, and preparing for meals. Past sites have included halfway houses, food pantries, the St. Francis house, and the Pine Street Inn.

• Environment: Environment seeks to help keep Boston green and beautiful. Often, Environment has worked in parks such as the Boston Esplanade and on the Mystic Watershed. Weather permitting, the group will spend much of its time outdoors.

• Kids: Kids groups work with children and organizations that benefit children throughout Boston. Past groups have worked with organizations like Cradles to Crayons, which helps Boston-area children get the school supplies they need.

• Special Needs/Giving Camp: Our special needs group, Giving Camp, works with persons with special needs for five days, running special programming. This intensive experience includes training, and has been described as exceptionally rewarding for those who participate.

• Urban Beautification: Urban Beautification works in a hands-on manner to spruce up the built environment throughout Boston. Work varies from light construction, to environmental maintenance, to restoration. Groups have previously worked with organizations like Youth Build Boston and the Stone Zoo.

• Elderly: Elderly travels to locations like the Somerville Home to assist in fun programming for the week, like talent shows.

• Health: This group will journey to hospitals and elderly homes to interact with patients one-on-one.