This past week five of our Good Shepherd youth had the privilege of serving on the Denver JUICE trip. JUICE stands for Justice: Urban, Immersive, Cooperative, Experience. The overarching goal of the trip was to learn about poverty, homelessness, and injustice in our city, and to offer an experience that combines service and outreach with education and advocacy.

We worked with organizations that you may be familiar with like St. Francis Center, and Loaves & Fishes, as well as some that may be new to you like Crossroads of the Rockies, Joy House, and Silver Linings. We interacted with the homeless and the needy in many different ways. Some of us helped a woman who had escaped domestic violence move into a new apartment in her safe house. Some delivered lunches and care packages to people living on the streets. We spoke with the elderly about the challenges of poverty in old age. We played with children at a free summer daycare in one of Denver’s poorest neighborhoods. We sorted vegetables at a food bank, and helped repair shelters.

We learned about legislation and lobbying; our vow to love one another as Christ loves us means using our power and our privilege to be a voice for those with less options and opportunity. We learned what it means to be advocates.

We could not have been a part of this life changing trip without your encouragement and support. If you would like to be involved in future YES trips or would like to make a donation to our cause, please contact me.