The city of Raleigh, North Carolina is a hub for academics, college sports, outdoor recreation and, of course, Southern hospitality. Together with the cities of Durham and Chapel Hill, this region is often called “The Triangle.” The area has enjoyed economic prosperity over the years, but there are still those who experience the harsh realities of poverty and instability. Your group will have several opportunities to reach out to struggling residents of Raleigh by partnering with local organizations to love and to serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

Demographics

The city of Raleigh is in east-central North Carolina. Raleigh was founded in 1792 as North Carolina's capital city. It was named for Sir Walter Raleigh, who attempted to establish the first English colony on the shores of the new world. It has long been referred to as the “City of Oaks,” because of the many wooded areas and grassy parks. The racial make-up of the city is primarily white (63 percent), African-American (28 percent), Hispanic or Latino (7 percent) and Asian (3 percent). The Hispanic population is rapidly growing due to increasing immigration to the area. The estimated population for Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill is 1.5 million. The “Triangle” nickname followed the creation of Research Triangle Park, home to numerous high-tech companies and enterprises. While the name now refers to the cities, it originally referred to the local universities, whose research facilities and educated workforce are major attractions for businesses. While much of the region’s population is highly educated and affluent, 11.5 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, including14 percent of those under age 18. Don’t let these residents be overlooked. Come to the Raleigh area to share the hope of Christ with these kind and hospitable residents through your service.

About the Ministry

Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Students may participate in a Kids Club and partnering with local organizations. Kids Club is a hands-on program led by your youth offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Our goal is to partner with local organizations and programs that seek to address the very basic needs of residents. Students may serve at places like: Children’s Programs, Elderly Centers, Soup Kitchens/Homeless Shelters and Thrift Stores. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. Possible evening/cultural activities include: spend the evening at a local park; attend a rodeo; worship with a local church; attend a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Kids Club and Partnering with Local Ministries.

Mileage

The nearest airport is the Raleigh-Durham Int’l Airport located between the cities of Raleigh and Durham.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. Raleigh/Durham can only accommodate standard 15 passenger vans or smaller.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Raleigh and surrounding areas before or after your trip, check out these local travel Web sites: www.visitraleigh.com.