Urban HANDS

City Gate's Mission Trip/Alternative Break Program

present on the pavement Every year mission groups from across the country come to our nation's capital to work with City Gate in a variety of volunteer opportunities (many local or regional churches or volunteers also participate). Mission experiences vary in length (from a day to over a week) and involve people of all ages and abilities — from youth to senior adults (and including intergenerational groups). Groups work directly with our summer camp and after-school programs with children and youth, and have access to a broad range of ministry opportunities through our various partner organizations (ranging from physical labor projects to homeless or hunger ministries).

drumming At the heart of Urban HANDS is providing your group with a challinging opportunity for service that not only meets significant human and spiritual needs, but which can have a life-changing impact in your own lives. In addition, we normally arrange all the other elements necessary for a great mission trip — affordable housing, food, local transportion, and educational/reflection activities along with rewarding work projects. Many groups go through our poverty simulation, which is a great way to prepare minds and hearts for a week of urban ministry. During the past decade over 8,000 volunteers from 30 states and more than 400 mission groups have discovered through Urban "HANDS" (which stands for Helping Another in Need by Demonstrating Servanthood,) how much you can give — and can grow — through an urban mission experience.

If you're interested in learning more, please check out the following resources:

Or contact us at (202) 237-1799 or info@city-gate.org.