North Coast Mission Connection Returns to Parma!

In 2013, North Coast Mission Connection, under the direction of Ridgewood United Methodist Church, partnered with Group Mission Trips to bring 394 high school students to Parma, Ohio.  Their mission:  To demonstrate Jesus’ love and compassion in tangible ways, serving the elderly and disabled by performing free home repairs that they could not otherwise complete.

These youth, traveling from 23 churches and 11 states, camped out for one week in Parma Senior High School.   Together they donated 11,820 hours of labor and repaired 56 homes.  Their efforts totaled a remarkable $290,000 in labor costs and capital improvements.

Because of this success, the community and the City of Parma has gladly welcomed the North Coast Mission Connection back to Parma this summer.  Once again, the Parma City School District will open the doors of Parma Senior High to house these teenagers, and the City of Parma will be waiving building permit fees so as not to impede their efforts.   Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter has also committed to raise $19,000 to help defray the building material costs of this project.  Ward 2 Councilwoman Debbie Lime is also coordinating a meal for the youth on the welcoming night of their stay.

The dates of this summer’s Mission Workcamp are June 21-27, 2015.  Some of the tasks that the youth, ages 14 and up, will be completing are:

• Building wheelchair ramps and handrails
• Fixing leaky roofs
• Weatherizing homes and trailers
• Reconstructing sagging porches
• Significant painting projects
• Interior and exterior carpentry
• Other home repair projects that the homeowner cannot otherwise complete

As you can imagine, these Mission Workcamps require a great deal of coordination and collaboration for them to be successful.  If you and your church would like to be involved with this effort, please contact Project Coordinator Renita Nohejl at 216-978-2866.

Know an elderly or disabled homeowner in Parma that could benefit from this project?  Contact Renita Nohejl at 216-978-2866 to submit an application.

If you would like more information about Group Mission Trips and the Parma summer project, please visit www.groupmissiontrips.com.