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Service Trips
Volunteer Ventures MA is thrilled to resume travel service trips for teens and parents to help rebuild parts of the U.S. that have been impacted by natural disasters.
Our service trips – lasting from 3 days to a week – are terrific ways to build community while honing muscles of service. Often referred to as ‘voluntourism’, the immersive nature of trips – living and working in a distant community – broadens one’s exposure to different places and people and expands
one’s comfort zone. Seeing the results of natural disasters – and rolling up one’s sleeves to actively help people reclaim their homes – is a visceral, moving experience that changes one’s perspective, youth and adults alike.
VVMA staff have organized and led 16 service trips to various locations – to New York and New Jersey in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and to Houston
following Winter Storm Uri.
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The hours of hard work that our volunteers do on behalf of our partner organizations make it possible for people in difficult circumstances to get back home, sooner. Our ‘work hard, play hard’ approach to trips makes for an impactful, rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Come join us, or better, partner with us to create a trip for your community.
Contact Barry Glass at barry@volunteerventuresma.org to learn more.
February 2023 Trip to Houston
After 4 hot days of applying and sanding joint compound, installing insulation and drywall, hanging cabinets, repairing rotted wood, and painting multiple coats on walls, trim and ceilings, Mr. Carter’s Houston home is giant steps forward in being ready for him to return home. For two years following Winter Storm Uri he has not been able to live in the house, and his day of return is so much closer.
The before and after pictures tell the story of the hard work and great care that the parent-teen teams from Temple Shir Tikvah Winchester put into their days. Hats off to this crew for taking the time during a school vacation week to roll up their sleeves and make a difference in such a fundamentally important way – to repair a person’s home. This is the best expression of tikkun olam – repairing the world. Thank you Temple Shir Tikvah families! You are great ambassadors of good will.
And thank you to the SBP Houston crew – Project Leaders Morris and Lamar who guided us through the work with focus, support, patience and humor.
We hope you enjoy the pictures of our after-work activities, too. We work hard and play hard, get to meet and know new people, build connections across communities, and send messages of optimism and hope for the future.
