Interest Club

Having seen the plight of these young people, it has come to our awareness that they need to have other ways to overcome their vices, strengthen positive self concept and establish self-confidence through the discovery of new capabilities. Therefore, we started six (7) creative arts Interest Groups (Magic, Mime, Dance, Guitar playing, Band, Painting and Black Mime). This initiative aims to provide venue to discover and hone client’s creative capacities that has at the same time therapeutic value; to exercise creative self-expression to know oneself more deeply and provide an alternative way of pouring out oneself, releasing emotions that could
otherwise not be verbally articulated and to affirm the capacities of our young people which in turn will increase their capacity to hope for possibilities as their works are appreciated.

Objectives:

1. Creative productions that will help affirm the individuals’ capacity to create something beautiful and worthwhile.
2. Help build community beyond that which is superficial because these artistic exercises demands the sharing of their beings and therefore requires a higher level of trust.
3. Will help in developing discipline and life habits and skills that will be beneficial to the participants such as completing a project excellently, focusing, team work, pausing to reflect, etc.

Project Description:

Each client will attend one Interest Club that they have chosen.

Sportsfest

One of the most effective programs for the youth today is sports activity. Both secular and Christian groups are using this program to divert the youth’s attentions away from their vices. So in line with this endeavor we organized a sport fest to raise awareness of the causes of dangerous habits, to share God’s word, to have fellowship and to create awareness of Onesimo’s ministry.

Sports include:

1. Basketball for men
2. Volleyball
3. Chess
4. Table Tennis

Summer Youth Camp with Onesimo (SYCO)

I. RATIONALE:

Many urban poor churches are struggling with their youth work for various reasons such as lack of youth leaders, resources, training opportunities, etc. However, we believe that urban poor young people themselves can be the best workers to cope with the unique needs of slum youth, given adequate training for the ministry. Many youth work training available are largely geared towards middleclass orientation. Most of these training are not realistic for young people in the urban poor context. Furthermore, many of the slum young people themselves are trapped in their little “survival jungle” unaware of the beauty of the countryside. The camping ministry seeks to respond to these challenges, providing opportunities for outdoor activities as well as training experiences that are suitable to them as potential youth workers among fellow urban poor young people. In fact, the leadership-training component of the program is suitable and practical even for any normal young Filipino needing more discipleship.

II. CAMP OBJECTIVES

  • Partnering with urban poor churches/groups develop their own youth work, generally through:

1.  Leadership training
2. Summer Youth Camp and specifically through
3. Provision of affordable venues
4. Networking resources (persons, logistics, etc.)
5. Curriculum development
6. Evangelism
7. Discipleship
8. Mentoring
9. Personal development

   • Facilitate training for urban poor young people having potentials for effective youth work through reflections and opportunities for practices

III. GOAL/S

1.   After 3 consecutive leadership training and summer camps, the churches would be able to hold their own camp
2.   Churches would be able to train youth leaders who will minister in church and to do a follow-up/aftercare programs for those who attended the  camps
3.   For delegates to attend regular at Church activities and programs.

IV. BENEFICIARIES

• Genuine Urban Poor Youth and Church

Updated Profile for SYCO

I. Profile of churches/groups qualified to avail Onesimo Summer Camp

•  Each church/group can avail of Onesimo Camp for a maximum period of 3 consecutive Summer Youth Camp. This is to give chance to other churches/groups/organizations.
• Delegates should come from NCR (National Capital  Region) only. Cities include: Kalookan, Makati, Mandaluyong, Manila, Marikina, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City, Las Piñas Parañaque, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Pateros, San Juan and Taguig. Squatters from Metro Manila who are relocated to suburban areas are qualified.
• All churches/para-churches/organizations must be doing ministry in the slum/squatter areas. So the church location should be in the same area or in a squatter area also where the delegates will be coming from.
• Indigent churches/groups who cannot afford to run  their own camps and without any camping privilege from other groups/organizations or church while in Onesimo Camp.
• Must be willing to submit to Onesimo way of  handling camps.
• Must submit a Church/group/organization profile  regarding its nature of ministry, sponsorship and source of funds before joining SYCO
• Number of delegates per batch is allowed to a  maximum of 75 persons only
• (including 4 speakers or Pastors, 1 youth adviser, 2  cook and 10 youth leaders/counsellor).
•  Pre-visit of SYCO committee in area of ministry and  interview with the youth adviser to know the status of the community wherein the young people will be coming.
•  Churches who availed SYCO’s 3 year camp privilege can re-apply 5 years after their term
•  Churches who was terminated because of violations of Onesimo camp rules and agreement is disregard

II. Profile of Leader

• Age range from 15 to 30 years old
• Pastors and Bible/Theology students are not allowed. This is to give other young people that chance which the former already have. However the could serve as counsellors during camps.
• Potential leaders who can handle Camp Directorship and is recommended by Pastor or Youth worker and without any camping privilege from other groups/organizations or church while in Onesimo camp.
• Must be urban poor youth or living in slum areas. Each leader is given 2 times to attend Leadership Training and 2 times to serve as Camp Director.
• Should be a member of the Church who applied

II. Profile of Camper

• Age range from 14 to 25 years old
• Must come from urban poor families/area.
• Outreach by a church/group/organization and  without any camping privilege from other   groups/organizations or church.
• Camper are given two (2) times to attend the  Summer Camp as camper. This is in order to give  chance to other young people.

IV. Aftercare Program

• The Church or Group is required to have an   aftercare program for the leaders and campers who attended the camp; there will also be a surprise and occasional visits.
• • Youth Adviser and Pastor should submit a written update of their youth programs and young people monthly

V. Camp Fee

1. 4 Speakers and 2 cooks – No Fee and No love gift (it’s up to the Church if they want to give)
2. Campers (1st Time – P175.00 2nd Time – P400.00)
3. Leaders who attended LT (during December  P250.00 – during Summer P150.00 only)
4. For Onesimo outreach delegates have different  camp fee Onesimo who are not receiving any love  gift can bring a one (1) sibling; no camp fee required and they can only attend (2) twice as  camper.

Grounds for termination:

I. If the Church or group is caught of inviting youth that is not genuine urban poor will face the following consequences:

1. 1. The church or group will pay the full amount of expenses which is P1500.00 per person.
   2. The church or group will be grounded to join the Summer Youth Camp.

II. If the Church or group violated the Profiles listed above

III. Church does not submit monthly report for 4 consecutive months. The church or group will be grounded to join Onesimo Summer Youth
Camp.

Steps in choosing Churches who can avail Onesimo Camp (Pre-selection every month of June-August)

STEP 2: A scheduled interview of the Youth Adviser or Pastor

STEP 4: Evaluation and conclusion/recommendation.