Summerbridge

The Summerbridge program is an 8-12 week summer opportunity for Canadian young adults of diverse cultural backgrounds. Summerbridge participants are paid to serve in their home congregations or community organizations taking on important projects.

Ten young adults stand together for a group photo on a set of stairs.

Canada

Churches or faith-based organizations

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 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 faith-based organization is interested in Summerbridge, contact us to learn more and request an application.

Download the Summerbridge brochure in English or in French.

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.
  • Complete an application and commit to biweekly reporting and an end-term report.

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 in Winnipeg, Man.
  • Report on and evaluate the assignment and working environment.

Expectations for MCC:

  • Review and approve applications. (Priority is given to projects related to peace, social justice and community development.)
  • Hold a June conference for all Summerbridgers in Winnipeg, Man.
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)
  • Uphold Christian faith and Anabaptist values
  • Show commitment to peacebuilding, social justice and nonviolence
  • Have not previously served with MCC Summerbridge for more than two years 

Affiliated with an Anabaptist congregation and beyond or a faith-based organization.

Ability to supervise and invest in a young adult from their community  

Show a commitment to peacebuilding, social justice and nonviolence in their proposals  

Approach their work through an anti-racist and anti-oppression lens  

Uphold safeguarding practices and policies that promote child safeguarding and prevent abuse, sexual exploitation and harassment of all project participants and staff.  

Have creative proposals that encourage strengthening leadership capabilities in young adults  

Focus on community engagement and community building.  

Summerbridge participants will receive a stipend equaling minimum wage for each week (35 hours) that they participate in the program, up to a maximum of 12 weeks.

The costs of running this program are shared by three partners: the provincial MCC office, MCC Canada and the sponsoring church or faith-based organization.

The sponsoring church or faith-based organization is responsible for managing the finances of the project. 

How to apply

Are you a participant interested in an internship? Talk to your church or faith-based organization about developing a partnership!  

Are you a church or a faith-based organization with an interested participant? Please fill out our ‘want to know more’ section.  

 

 

 

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