The Belmont Religious Council (BRC) Youth Interfaith Service Trip brings together Belmont teenagers of all faiths for a week of service and learning. It is scheduled for the week of February school vacation, and occurs every other year.
Our last youth service trip was held during the February 2020 school vacation. The destination was Laredo, TX. We worked with the Laredo chapter of Habitat for Humanity to assist with building simple, decent, and affordable houses for low income families in Laredo.
Click here for more information about Habitat for Humanity of Laredo and Webb County
The purpose of the trip is to serve the members of a community that suffers from the hardships of poverty, neglect and (in many cases) natural disasters. We typically work on repairing, refurbishing and repainting houses and community centers. The work is hard, but the rewards are great.
The group travels with a team of adult advisors, and stays in a facility (such as a church or community center) provided by the community being served. The community is typically in an area in the Southeast, where outdoor work is practical in February. Projects are selected based on demonstrated need, and ability to make a difference in a week of service. The projects are coordinated with a local host organization in the community being served.
The Youth Service trip is open to any young adult who is associated with one of the Belmont Religious Council (BRC) faith communities. A participant must be age 16 or older at the time of the trip. There are typically around 30 youth members on a service trip, representing a variety of faith traditions. Location and exact dates are still to be determined, but it will be during Belmont Public School's February break.
An application form and waiver of liability will be required. The cost per individual for the 2018 trip was $875 per person. This covered airfare, food and project-related expenses (such as tools and supplies). We expect 2020 to be similar. Through the generosity of others, financial aid is always available and allocated confidentially based on need. If someone has a true desire to participate but limited financial means, we have always found a way for that person to join us.
To learn more, please send an email to BRCmissiontrip@gmail.com
Please include the name and age of the participant, and contact information including address and phone number.
The Youth Service trip is a long-standing tradition in Belmont. Our previous service trips include:
2018 - Houston, Texas
2016 - Birmingham, Alabama
2014 - Birmingham, Alabama
2012 - Birmingham, Alabama
2010 - Galveston, Texas
2008 - New Orleans, Louisiana
2006 - Lincolnville, South Carolina
2005 - Selma, Alabama
2003 - Oakland, California
2001 - Cape Charles, Virginia
1999 - Narrows, Virginia
1997 - Homestead, Florida
David Pywell was an adult advisor on both the Lincolnville and Selma Youth Service Trips. He was well-beloved by the youth on these trips. Dave combined a high level of professional contracting skills, strong work ethic, and wonderful sense of humor. After Dave unexpectedly and suddenly passed away, his family established the David Pywell Fund to support future BRC Youth Service trips. Donations to the Youth Service trips help replenish the Dave Pywell fund, which is used to provide financial aid to youth participants and fund project-related expenses.
If you would like to donate to the David Pywell Fund, please make your check payable to Belmont Religious Council (memo line: Pywell Fund) and send to:
Belmont Religious Council
c/o Ariane Frank
P.O. Box 459
Belmont, MA 02478
Thank you.