Geauga Christian Youth Missions partners with TRPIL again

For the second year, Geauga Christian Youth Missions, based in Chardon, Ohio, came to Washington County to work with Transitional Paths to Independent Living.
According to Patrick Schaffer, GCYM’s board president and volunteer, “I can’t stress enough how important it is to work as a team and to put your skills to use to benefit others.”
Nine work crews totaling 75 volunteers, descended upon TRPIL consumers in Washington County and beyond June 10-16.
Schaffer, an information technology professional, explained GCYM started over 25 years ago when a Christian church in Cleveland, Ohio, decided to take a mission trip to help others. He was persuaded to go, and used a week’s vacation to do it. He’s been hooked ever since.
After a few years of working through the church, the group decided to form a nonprofit association that could include volunteers from any denomination or even those who wanted to help, but who weren’t affiliated with any church.
Schaffer said the volunteers build ramps and do general repairs for those who need help, though they end up receiving more from their experiences than those they are helping.
“We have a wrap-up session after each mission trip and everyone says how much they got from being involved,” he said.
TRPIL CEO Kathleen Kleinmann said, “One goal of TRPIL is to give individuals the opportunity to stay in their own homes or apartments with the kinds of modifications and assistance that Geauga Christian Youth Missions can help complete. Ramps are essential for those with mobility issues and the quality of life can be greatly improved for those who want their independence. They can do a lot with 75 volunteers in a week.”

Volunteers stand on the finished ramp that the TRPIL consumer can use for easier accessibility in and out of his house and to live independently.
Washington Alliance Church assisted with lodging the GCYM group for the week. However, they did their own cooking with the work crews taking turns preparing the meals and cleaning up.
“That is also a new experience for some of the kids who don’t have to do chores at home. It’s also an experience cooking for 75 people,” Schaffer said.
Admittedly, working on physical labor jobs all day and then returning to the church for meals is a long day, but Schaffer said that part of the camaraderie that is developed is from working together all week. “Pockets of the group already know each other, but with all the people from throughout the area who are volunteering, this is a great way for people to develop new friendships.”
Washington & Jefferson College hosted a meal for the group as they did last year, so the volunteers got a one-day break from cooking their own dinner.
Most are repeat volunteers, but Schaffer said, “We have about 10 or 11 who have never gone before, so this will be their first mission trip. Once they attend, they do tend to stay involved.” Schaffer explained that “my niece is going again, and she started going in high school, through college, and now as a working adult. “
GCYM raises funds to cover the costs of materials and ends the trip usually in the hole. However, Schaffer said the group’s annual spaghetti dinner raises about $12,000. A letter campaign each fall helps to pull them back into the black and they are “blessed to continue.”
For more information on the GCYM program, visit their Facebook page or www.gcym.us. To learn more about the advocacy and services of TRPIL, visit www.trpil.com or the TRPIL Facebook page.