Need your vehicle washed but tight on funds? The Bradford Community Church is hosting a free car wash this Monday from 1 - 4 p.m., compliments of the church's new summer youth team, 'SOS' - Summer of Service.
Comprised of a dozen students ranging in age from 15 to 22, the group was hired by the Bradford Community Church after receiving funds from a federal wage subsidy program they applied for called 'Canada Summer Jobs' (CSJ); a Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Initiative.
The program aims to provide youth with more opportunities for employment in the province while gaining experiences that will transition students into the working force.
In the past, the Bradford Community Church used the program's funds to hire youth staff to help run their summer VBS day camps; however, due to Covid, the church was unable to prepare in time for this year's camp program.
"So, we're cutting them loose on the town - go help people!" explains Pastor Kostyr, Interim Pastor at Bradford Community Church.
The group was formed just under a week ago and has already helped at A Hand Up Clothing Room and the Out of the Cold Cafe, picked up garbage at local parks, and visited with seniors at a local nursing home. On Canada Day they sang the national anthem for residents at the Bradford Valley Care Community. They were also spotted singing with a guitar near the Starbucks West Bradford drive-through last week - putting smiles on people's faces while 'serving'.
"The difference between volunteering and serving, is an attitude of the heart," says Kostyra.
The team is currently brainstorming ideas to provide fun activities for families in the area, such as hosting a petting zoo, or a mini-carnival at the Bradford Community Church.
The students will also be doing team-building exercises and will be serving at a horse farm in the next couple weeks where they will participate in a equin-assisted learning program.
"The end goal is to seek and save the lost," shared Emma, one of the team leads with SOS. "We're following the example of what Jesus said, because he often served the community and gained nothing in return. So, the reason we're choosing the word 'serve' is because often 'volunteering' is just filling a hole. We want to do more than that. We want to serve the community without getting anything back [while] spreading the word of God."
This is a full time position for all the students, working all day Monday to Friday, and in some cases, on weekends for events. Some of the students left their previous employment to come and assist with this new program.
"We're just so excited to be able to serve the community in this way," said Emma.
For those who attend the car wash on Monday, the SOS team will not be accepting any donations of any kind as part of their mission.
If you require service from the SOS team, please contact Bradford Community Church's Interim Pastor Cory Kostyra: [email protected]
