Group Mission Trips youth lend a helping hand

Tioga Opportunities Housing Services, out of Owego, N.Y., partnered with Group Mission Trips based out of Loveland, Colorado, brought young people from all over the United States to Tioga County for a week of group work camps, July 10 through 14.  A special welcome ceremony was held in their honor at Newark Valley High School on July 9, which was the home base for campers this year.

Several representatives from Tioga Opportunities, Newark Valley School officials, and local and state government officials, among others, toured work sites with Group Workcamps representatives on July 13.

Now in its eleventh year, Tioga Opportunities, Inc. Housing cosponsored the Group Workcamps program, which is focused on helping youth grow in a faith-based environment through service to others. Tioga Opportunities reached out to low-income, disabled or elderly residents in the area who own their own homes and met income guidelines to schedule projects at no cost to the homeowner.  

Tioga Opportunities does not receive state or federal funding to operate the Group Workcamps program and seeks out financial assistance from community-minded businesses, service groups, churches and individuals. Material costs this year were estimated to be $40,000.  

In addition, food pantry items were collected at the high school and Tioga Opportunities to be distributed to shelters by July 14.

Projects assigned encompassed exterior and interior painting, weatherization, building decks and ramps and other home repairs, with most projects geared toward improving safety of the home and residents. More than 50 sites across Tioga County, from as far north as Richford and Willseyville, southeast to Apalachin, west to Waverly, and several communities in between, received help during the week.

Newark Valley resident, JoAnne Johnston, was the recipient of a new deck built onto her home. “We love it, and we love the kids who helped us,” Johnston said, and explained that her previous deck was unsafe, and after the two-and-one-half-day job, she is thrilled with the results, adding, “I had my coffee on it this morning.”   

More than just repairs, campers and the staff from Group Workcamps build relationships within the communities where they work, and youth learn many valuable life lessons including the importance of helping others. This year, 19 different teams comprised of 344 youth, most being high school age, came to Tioga County from 12 different states including New England and the Mid-Atlantic states and as far west as Wisconsin. Staff members came from all across the Midwest and Eastern U.S., with one staffer coming all the way from Oklahoma.

Dale Green, director of the campers, explained that the staff volunteers cross all occupations like teachers and police officers, among others, and that many are involved with the Workcamps for decades.

Green commented, “Tioga County is a champion,” referring to the fact that campers have returned to the area for 11 years.  

The inspiration for Group Mission Trips came after a catastrophic flood killed 137 people in the Loveland, Colorado area in 1976. Forty years later, the faith-based organization continues their mission to bring youth together from all across the country to travel and help people rebuild. Group Mission Trips and Workcamps Developer, Bob Turley, toured the work sites as well. 

Newark Valley Mayor Jim Tornatore shared, “This represents the vulnerable portion of our community that no one should forget. Volunteerism does work, and agencies like Tioga Opportunities are extremely important. If they don’t exist, then these type of projects will not happen.”

Andrew Hafer, director of Community Services for Tioga Opportunities, thanked individuals, church groups, businesses, and others who collaborated and partnered to make the event happen. 

In past years, other schools throughout Tioga County have opened their doors for the youth mission groups, which offer accommodations in one central location. Next year, Owego Free Academy will host the campers.  

For more information, tiogaopp.org or contact Tioga Opportunities, Inc. Housing, 1023 State Route 38, Owego, N.Y., call (607) 687-0707, or email to housing@tiogaopp.org. 

You can find Group Mission Trips at groupmissiontrips.com or follow them on Facebook.