The City of Brotherly Love          

MINISTRY

For the last twelve years, YOM has been serving in the greater Philadelphia area. We continue to partner with The Baptist Convention of Pennsylvania and South Jersey, local churches, United Methodist Volunteers In Missions, various homeless ministries and numerous other ministries in and around the city.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE CITY

As of 2008 more than 500,000 immigrants call the Philadelphia metropolitan area home. More than one-fifth of these immigrants have arrived since 2000, resulting in an increase of 113,000 immigrants between the years 2000 and 2006. This is nearly the same amount of immigrants that arrived during the decade of the 1990s, of which today comprise 10.9% of the city's population. As reported by the Brookings Institution, the Philadelphia area is poised to re-emerge as a destination for immigrants, a longtime characteristic of the region that stalled in the mid-20th century.

Philadelphia has the second largest Irish, Italian, and Jamaican populations and the fourth largest African American population in the nation. Philadelphia also has the fourth largest population of Polish residents. In recent years, the Hispanic and Asian American populations have significantly increased. Hispanics have settled throughout the city, especially around El Centro de Oro. Philadelphia is home to the third largest Puerto Rican population in the United States. In recent years many Mexican immigrants have come to areas around the Italian Market. There are an estimated 10,000 Mexicans living in South Philadelphia.

Mexicans and Guatemalans also have settled in small communities in North Philadelphia, mainly in the Kensington neighborhood. Colombian immigrants have also come to the Olney neighborhood. The Asian population was once concentrated in the city's thriving Chinatown, but now Korean Americans have come to Olney, and Vietnamese have forged bazaars next to the Italian Market in South Philadelphia.

Concentrations of Cambodian American neighborhoods can be found in North and South Philadelphia. Indians and Arabs have come to Northeast Philadelphia along with Russian and Ukrainian immigrants. This large influx of Asians has given Philadelphia one of the largest populations of Vietnamese, Cambodians, Chinese, Indonesians and Koreans in United States.

The Philadelphia region also has the fourth largest population of Indian Americans. The West Indian population is concentrated in Cedar Park. Germans, Greeks, Chinese, Japanese, English, Pakistanis, Iranians, and also immigrants from the former Yugoslavia along with other ethnic groups can be found throughout the city.

HOUSING

All groups are housed in a local hotel in Maple Shade, NJ, which provides a central location for groups and a short drive just outside of the city of Philadelphia. Prices per person are based on four persons to each room

MEALS

Breakfast is provided at the hotel Monday through Friday morning and is served in the hotel restaurant or meeting room. Groups are given to-go lunch supplies from the YOM staff Monday through Thursday so that you do not have to leave your mission sites and can continue to serve. Lunch supplies will include everything you need for that day to include bread, meat, cheese, mustard, mayonnaise, peanut butter and jelly, chips, cookies, plates, napkins and bottled water. Dinners are not provided as this gives you and your group to experience the people, and culture of Philadelphia and to continue to minister in and around the city.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Be prepared to be very flexible. Plans will change daily!

Stay together at all times. Never leave the group without first talking to your group leader.

Be prepared to share your testimony at any time.

Look for God to do something amazing in your life on this trip!

Cost is $305 per person for the week.