Summerbridge

The Summerbridge program is an 8–12-week summer opportunity for Canadian young adults (18-30 years old) of diverse cultural backgrounds. The program strengthens leadership capabilities within young adults while nurturing a commitment to service.

2024 summerbridge orientation participants

Canada

Churches or Faith-based Organizations

 

Christian Churches or faith-based organizations and Summerbridge participants create a joint project plan that helps meet the pressing needs of the church, a community organization, or the broader community.

Summerbridgers serve under a mentor in one of the following settings: their own church, a community organization selected by the church, or a Christian faith-based organization. In this role, they develop leadership skills and strengthen their relationships with the congregation and/or the community.

If you or someone in your congregation or Christian faith-based organization is interested in becoming an MCC Summerbridge partner, contact us to learn more and request an application.

What to expect

 

Expectations for the church or faith-based organization

  • Identify a good candidate from the church/community who would value the program goals of leadership development, community engagement and Christian service.
  • Prepare a project proposal for MCC.
  • Appoint a supervisor from within the congregation/community organization.
  • Commit to completing a mid-term and end-term report.
  • Cover 1/3 of the financial assistance based on provincial minimum wage.

Expectations for the participant:

  • Carry out the project as proposed.
  • Strengthen relationships with your congregation and/or community.
  • Participate in the Summerbridge conference in June. Location to be determined.
  • Commit to completing a mid-term and end-term report.

Expectations for MCC:

  • Review and approve applications. (Priority is given to projects related to peace, social justice and community development.)
  • Plan site visits and/or midterm check-ins with supervisors and participants.
  • Hold a June conference for all Summerbridgers. Location to be determined.
  • Cover 2/3 of the financial assistance based on provincial minimum wage.
Summerbridge is an amazing opportunity to connect our congregation with the larger Mennonite church body and to connect us more deeply with our Anabaptist roots of peace and justice.

Pastor Justin Chan, South Vancouver Pacific Grace

More stories

Summerbridge stories

Check out these stories of impact from past program participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Summerbridge assignments should benefit both the workers and the communities in which they serve. You can get creative coming up with an assignment that’s a good fit!

Projects could include but are not limited to: 

  • providing organized activities for youth and children
  • teaching dance or art classes in local communities
  • working in an urban garden
  • acting as a pastoral intern. 

The possibilities are endless and should be suited to fit with the vision or dream of your church or community organization!

To apply to be a Summerbridger, you must be:

  • Ages 18-30 years (minimum age in BC is 19 years)
  • Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals in Canada holding a valid open permit to work
  • Uphold Christian faith and Anabaptist values of peace and non-violence
  • Actively engaged in a Christian faith community 
  • Show commitment to peacebuilding, social justice and nonviolence

  • Have not previously served with MCC Summerbridge for more than two years Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals in Canada holding a valid open permit to work

    * Individual participants cannot apply directly to Summerbridge. Please speak to your congregation or a faith-based organization. It is the congregation or organization that needs to apply to be a Summerbridge partner.

  • Be a Christian church or faith-based organization in support of Anabaptist values
  • Ability to supervise and invest in a young adult from their community/church
  • Show a commitment to peacebuilding, social justice and nonviolence in their proposals and work environment
  • Approach their work and interactions with people in a manner that reflects respect, dignity, value, empowerment and inclusion.
  • Uphold safeguarding practices and policies that promote child safeguarding and prevent abuse, sexual exploitation and harassment of all project participants and staff.
  • Have a creative proposal that encourages strengthening leadership capabilities in young adults
  • Focus on community engagement and community building.  

  • Summerbridge participants will receive a stipend equal to the minimum wage for each week (35 hours) they participate in the program, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.
  • Three partners—the provincial MCC office, MCC Canada, and the sponsoring church or faith-based organization—share the costs of running this program.
  • The sponsoring church or faith-based organization is responsible for managing the project's finances through their own payroll.

How to apply

 

  • Are you a church or a faith-based organization with an interested participant? Please fill out our ‘want to know more’ section.
  • If you are a participant interested in an internship, talk to your church or faith-based organization about developing a partnership proposal!

o Individual participants cannot apply directly to Summerbridge. It is the congregation or organization that needs to apply to be a Summerbridge partner.

 

 

 

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