Summerbridge

Summerbridge is a Canada-wide summer service program of Mennonite Central Committee. The program provides opportunity to bring together people of different cultural backgrounds and equip them to serve in their local church. MCC and local congregations support participants. Affiliation with a Mennonite or Brethren in Christ congregation is required.

Age:  17+

Length:  8 - 16 weeks

Location: your church and community

Application deadline is May 1 each year.

Contact Allan Reesor-McDowell or Cath Woolner if you are interested in the learning more.

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Profile: Rebekah Hudson

Rebekah Hudson, from River of Life MB Church in Riverview, NB, is studying Peace and Conflict Studies at University of Waterloo.  She participated in MCC’s Summerbridge program in 2007.

arm:  How did you get involved with MCC?

Rebekah Hudson: Through volunteering at my church. The Atlantic representatives for MCC at the time, Tom and Judi, told my dad about Summerbridge and he encouraged me to apply. Other than the “To Remember is to Work for Peace” pins, Summerbridge was my first real introduction to MCC’s work around the world.

arm: Why did you participate in the Summerbridge program?

rh:  I wanted to serve my church and Summerbridge was a great way to do that as a full-time summer job.  I did Summerbridge in 2007 and 2008. I worked at my church in two main areas – media/graphic design and children’s ministry. My job was an expanded version of my volunteer work, plus some other responsibilities.  Most days I worked on the website, powerpoint and other media; did any administrative tasks that came up; and organized the weekly children’s programs for the summer when the regular volunteers took a break. This was a challenge because our church is very small - often half the people who attend are kids, and most of the others are parents who also volunteer! My work focused more on kids’ ministry in 2008.

arm: What was the highlight of your experience with Summerbridge?

rh:  The biggest highlight of my Summerbridge experience was our orientation in Winnipeg. All the participants from across Canada came to learn more about Mennonite Central Committee and get to know each other for a few days. We stayed at Canadian Mennonite University, toured the MCC headquarters, volunteered at a food bank depot, went to the North End and experienced the murals and musical culture of the city. This was where I learned about restorative justice, fair trade, conflict resolution strategies and MCC’s relief and development work for the first time. Learning about alternative ways to solve these major problems ignited my passion for peace and justice that led to my choice to pursue a degree in Peace and Conflict Studies at Waterloo a few years later. I also met some incredible people during my few days in Winnipeg. Although I haven’t kept in touch with everyone, I still think about and pray for them often.

arm:  How was Summerbridge part of your faith journey?

rh:  Summerbridge was also a major growing time for me spiritually. I still look back at the orientation as a very significant time, but I also learned a lot in my two summers of work. I had a lot of opportunities to learn patience. I also discovered that working to serve others often consists of everyday, monotonous tasks that must be done. Having my dad as my direct supervisor took some getting used to, but we both learned so much about working together in that time. I also learned a lot about how to work with children, plan events and recruit volunteers. These experiences helped me later in jobs at an office and a kids’ drop-in centre. Overall, Summerbridge was a major learning experience for me!

arm:  What are you hoping to do in the future?

rh:  I don’t know yet, but I’d like to experience life in a different country soon. Something that involves working with kids and young people for human rights would be amazing, but right now I’m open to wherever God brings me.  Summerbridge was an amazing experience that helped shape the direction my life is heading now. If you get a chance to participate in this program or any other MCC experience, I definitely recommend it.

Upcoming Internships with MCC!

Just wanted to let you all know about the amazing internship opportunities available with MCC this summer.

Some 2010 MCC Ontario interns

The following are with MCC Ontario.  Applications due February 25th:

Enlace Leader

TOOLS Program Assistant

Refugee Engagement Strategist

Ottawa Office - (pplications due March 1st

MCC United Nations Office - Applications due April 15th

Let me know of you have any questions: allanrm@mennonitecc.on.ca

Summer Internship in New York City

Do you have web design skills?


The MCC United Nations Liaison Office is offering one unpaid internship this summer for interested and qualified college and university students with a background in Peace Studies, International Studies, Political Science, International Development, Communications or other related fields along with interest and capability of web page development for the office.


Applicants must be available to work for a minimum of 4 weeks, maintaining an average of 40 work hours per week between July 12 and August 17, 2011.  Lodging at Menno House in Manhattan can be provided, but interns are required all other expenses including food and transportation.  


This year the intern will primarily be working to develop the MCC UN Office webpage, but there will also be time for the intern to study and research issues pertaining to his or her personal academic interests.  The intern may also assist the Director and Program Associate of the Mennonite Central Committee United Nations Liaison Office in coordinating MCC’s advocacy at the UN by researching topics of relevance to the office’s work.

The intern should be independent, motivated, flexible, and possess excellent computer web page design interest and competency.

Interested applicants should complete this form and return it via e-mail to the MCC UN Liaison Office (unoffice2@mcc.org).  The deadline for applications is Friday, April 15, 2011. Interviews will be conducted with a limited number of candidates by phone during the two weeks following the application deadline.  The successful applicant will be notified of his or her acceptance by Friday, April 29, 2011. 

Serving and Learning Together

Are you interested in living in another country?  Maybe learning another language?  Volunteering, eating new foods, meeting new people, having your mind and world blown wide open?  Do you want an education that you will never get in the classroom? A chance to grow spiritually that you won't get in a regular Sunday morning service? Interested?

I was too...  So in 2002 I moved to Haiti as part of the SALT program.

Current MCC Ontario staffperson, Ken Ogasawara, as a
SALTer in Uganda 2001-02.

SALT is a one-year program for 18 to 27 year-olds that will take you almost anywhere in the world.  Depending on where you go, you might be blazing a new trail by yourself or working and living near fellow SALTers.  What kind of assignments do you get? How about environmental program coordinator in Tanzania? Or science and math teacher in India? Or radio/recording technician in Burundi? The list goes on.  

I worked with a human rights organization in Port-au-Prince; learned Haititan Creole, lived with a family, traveled the country, and learned a whole lot about myself.  It was a hard year but a good year. And I recommend the program to young adults who want to grow.

Work for MCC Ontario

Would you like to work for MCC Ontario?

Then consider applying to fill a one year mat leave as Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director.  (Click here for the job description).

If you have any questions, please be in touch with the wonderful Cath Woolner at cathw@mennonitecc.on.ca.

If you would like to apply, please send cover letter and resume to Cath by December 3, 2010. (Start date is February, 2011).

If you want to have a more informal conversation about what it is like working for MCC Ontario (or if you want some dirt on the ED to help you prepare for the interview) feel free to be in touch with me (Allan) at allanrm@mennonitecc.on.ca.

Internship in Ottawa

A month ago I included some info about MCCs advocacy work in a post called Loving our Neighbour through Witness to Government.

Since I know this type of work interests many of you, I wanted to let you know of an opportunity to get involved...(see the info about internship possibilities below, copied from the MCC Ottawa office website)

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Mennonite Central Committee's Ottawa Office offers three unpaid internship terms each year. The dates for each are flexible and depend on the selected intern’s availability. Both full-time and half-time internships are available.

• Winter/Spring Term (January-April): applications will be reviewed starting November 15
• Summer Term (May-August): applications will be reviewed starting March 1
• Fall Term (September-December): applications will be reviewed starting July 1

The Advocacy Intern is part of a team that provides expertise and assistance for MCC Canada’s advocacy efforts.  For further information and to apply for this position, please contact Marsha Jones with a cover letter and resume.

Need some work?

Looking for a meaningful job?  With an organization you can feel good being apart of?  Something that connects with your values and your faith?

You have come to the right place...

MCC Ontario is hiring a Communications Assistant.  Check the job description here.

Applications are due September 24th.