Discover the beautiful Pacific Northwest over an amazing two week journey! Seattle is a vibrant and visionary city, on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability and community empowerment.
Running at two separate times, both offer participants an authentic opportunity to immerse themselves into the culture, work alongside local peers, and build long lasting relationships, all while having a positive social impact, and experiencing the magic the Pacific Northwest. Each track offers a distinct social justice focus, and both include experiencing the wide range of activities and adventure that the region has to offer our youth!
Session I - Urban Farming
Mitzvah Corps teens will volunteer with the Tilth Alliance, a nonprofit organic gardening and urban ecology organization, and other urban farm projects in the area and learn about food justice and combatting hunger in the Pacific Northwest. The Tilth Alliance is an organization dedicated to inspiring and educating people to safeguard natural resources while building an equitable and sustainable local food system. Session I will focus on food and environmental justice with visits to neighborhood Farmers Markets, community gardens, food banks, sustainable buildings, and other innovative environmental justice projects throughout the city.
Session II- Refugee Resettlement
Mitzvah Corps teens will volunteer with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and explore values of Jewish social justice. The IRC provides programs and support for recently arrived refugees and this summer they will host a special summer camp for refugee children. Mitzvah Corps participants will work with the kids to help them with English and cultural integration through soccer, other summer camp activities, and working at the IRC Namaste community garden. Session II will focus on learning about the people and cultures that make up greater Seattle.