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    HOME  /  SERVICES PROVIDED BY CDM  /  URBAN EXPERIENCE

Poverty's Impact on Dallas

Urban Experience:
Raising Awareness about Urban Issues

Urban Experience’s mission is to "increase the awareness of race, class and justice issues by exposing suburban teenagers to activities that reflect urban concerns."

Director: Janet Morrison, Ed.D. (email)

Tel:          214-426-3404

If you have a group that is interested in participating, please contact us today to reserve your spot.  You can download a contract here ( PDF).

URBAN EXPERIENCE

Primary Goals for Participants


Exposure

Dallas, along with many other cities, has a wealth of cultural enclaves that often go unnoticed by mainstream society. Through exposure to these areas, Urban Experience guides participants in discovering the richness of our urban and minority communities.

Awareness

Today’s society often segregates people by race, class or other factors, leaving them unaware of the issues plaguing those with whom they do not usually interact. Urban Experience seeks to help participants become more aware of urban issues in a way that challenges and broadens perspectives.

Reciprocity

Relationships are a vital part of the philosophy of Central Dallas Ministries. Central Dallas Ministries realizes that relationships are a two-way street of giving to as well as receiving from. We realize that our friends and neighbors from the community have plenty to contribute to the process at Central Dallas Ministries as well as to our personal well-being. The programs at Central Dallas Ministries are deeply rooted in reciprocity. Urban Experience is designed to move participants beyond charity to understanding the importance and benefits of developing long-term relationships with all people.

Spirituality

Jesus sought relationships with all people without regard to race, faith, social or economic class. In addition, the Bible regularly instructs people on how they should deal with the poor. Urban Experience helps participants explore the scriptures and connect them to our world today.

 


Program Description

 


Teen UE

This one-week, urban learning experience is for teenagers finishing 8th—12th grades. Daily activities, Bible studies, and simulations are designed to generate dialogue between UE participants and urban leaders, challenging participants to contemplate Christ-like approaches to urban ministry as well as contemplating how to interact with people around them once they return to their own community.

College UE

Similar to the Teen UE, College UE is designed for an older audience, but involves more thought-provoking discussion and prepares college students who are interested in being involved in inner city work after college.

Adult UE

Adult UE is an intensive 3-day weekend—Friday through Sunday—involving discussion, simulations, Bible studies, and activities. Adult UE is designed for people wishing to learn more about best practices and approaches to urban ministry. Lodging is available. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included for Friday and Saturday. Breakfast and lunch is included on Sunday. Weekends available are negotiable.

To view our online brochure, click here.

 Enrollment is limited to 25 participants per week, with 8 weeks available throughout the summer. Teen and College UE cost is $200 per person and includes lodging, facilitated group sessions, breakfast and lunch each day, bus passes, and a t-shirt. Adult UE cost is $150 per person.

Testimonials

What activity this week had the greatest impact for you?
  • "The Urban Experience opened our eyes to some of the difficulties of life that people go through."
Did you have any new realizations or did you begin to look at anything differently than you did before? If so, what?
  • "I really began to realize the complexity of poverty."
  • "I never realized how hard it would be to be poor and how hard it would be to get out of it."
 Are there things you are more aware of than before your Urban Experience? If so, what?
  • "How overwhelming it can be to have so many problems and not know where to start."

Other testimonials:

  • "Thanks for taking us on this trip. I don’t think we know it yet, but I think it changed us.”

  • “I don’t know what ya’ll did in Dallas but my husband and son are different.”

  • “I can’t put my finger on it, but my daughter’s different.”

  • "Reid’s mom just cried and cried and said that we have no idea how much of an impact that trip had on her son."

  • "I think what I’ve seen and continued to see is that our kids are different because of our work with CDM’s Urban Experience. It’s really hard to put my finger on what it is. I mean they are still in many ways the same kids. Nice neighborhoods, great schools, but they are walking around and thinking differently. The Dallas trip opened their eyes to a world outside of their own.”

 

Dates Available for Summer 2007

 


Dates available:

  • March 10—13

  • June 9—13

  • June 16—20

  • June 23—27

  • June 30—July 3

  • July 7—11

  • July 14—18

  • July 21—25

  • July 28—Aug 1

If you have a group that is interested in participating, please contact Janet Morrison today to reserve your spot.

 

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Mailing Address:
Central Dallas Ministries
P.O. Box 710385
Dallas, Texas 75371-0385
Physical Address:
Central Dallas Ministries
409 N. Haskell Avenue   
Dallas, Texas 75246

PHONE: 214.823.8710

FAX: 214.824.5355

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CDM is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization. Donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law.