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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.
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Teen UE
This
one-week, urban learning experience is for teenagers finishing
8th—12th grades. Daily activities, 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, 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.
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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:
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"Thanks
for taking us on this trip. I don’t think we know it
yet, but I think it changed us.”
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“I
don’t know what ya’ll did in Dallas but my husband and
son are different.”
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“I
can’t put my finger on it, but my daughter’s
different.”
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"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."
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"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.”
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Dates Available for
Summer 2009 |
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June 22 - June 26
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July 6 - July 10 -
July 13 - July 17 -
July 20 - July 24 -
July 27 - July 31
If you have a group that is
interested in participating, please
contact
Janet Morrison today
to reserve your spot.
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