Workcamp for Lincoln returning in 2024
Applications now being taken for home repair projects

 

[December 13, 2023] 

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois (CAPCIL) is bringing up to 400 teenagers and adults to Lincoln/Logan County, Illinois to improve the homes of elderly, disabled, and low-income residents.

Lincoln/Logan County, Illinois as many as 60 residents will benefit from the work of a projected 400 adult and teenage volunteers at the Workcamp for Lincoln coming to the area on June 16-22, 2024. The Workcamp will provide free home repairs through Group Mission Trips, sponsored locally by CAPCIL.

Group Mission Trips is a non-profit, volunteer home-repair organization headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. This summer, over 10,000 young people and adults will participate in 25 Workcamps in communities across the United States.

At each Workcamp, teenagers and adults—members of church youth groups—volunteer a week of their time to repair homes throughout the community.

“These really are remarkable young people,” said Tim Gilmour, President of Group Mission Trips. “Each one is actually paying for the privilege of working in your community. Workcamp registration fees are used to cover costs for food, insurance, and building materials.”

The Workcamp participants will be housed at Lincoln Community High School (LCHS) with the campers sleeping on classroom floors, eating in the cafeteria, and enjoying evening programs in the gym. “This service to the community would be impossible without the wonderful cooperation of the LCHS remarked Todd Henry, WFL Volunteer Coordinator. Group Mission Trips will reimburse all costs to the lodging facility.

This event would not be possible without some amazing local sponsors. Community Sponsors include: The Woods Foundation, City of Lincoln, Logan County Board, Red Oak Financial, State Farm Agent Bryan Clark, and American Water. This is the second time that Lincoln has hosted a Workcamp. In 2021, with only half the volunteers due to the pandemic, twenty-five homes received repairs as well as seven wheelchair ramps were built.

This summer’s 20 Workcamps will take place in different states, including Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Group Mission Trips has hosted over 480,000 participants who have provided more than 14 million hours of volunteer service directly to people in need.

Repairs offered through the Workcamp include interior and exterior painting, weatherization, porch and wheelchair ramp construction, and other work. Residents interested in applying to receive assistance or if you are interested in sponsoring the program, please contact CAPCIL at 217-732-2159 or visit www.workcampforlincoln.com.

It is the mission of CAPCIL, in partnership with community stakeholders, to empower low-income persons and other vulnerable populations of all ages, through the creation and implementation of poverty-fighting initiatives for those in crisis and those who seek a life of lasting independence.

[Breann Titus
Chief Visionary Officer
Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois]