Mission Discipleship Institute (MDI) Immersion Experience

Announcing: MDI Summer Service Experience

Beginning July 2nd, 2024 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays - join our summer opportunity for students to give back, make a difference, and understand more deeply the lives of our neighbors 'on the margins'.

To sign up: Call 206-482-0000 or Email Emmanuel

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Mission Discipleship Institute (MDI) Immersion Experience

The Mission Discipleship Institute (MDI) Immersion Experience at SVdP provides an opportunity for students to encounter the lives of their neighbors on the margins and gain awareness of injustices they face. Students reflect on how the Catholic Church is responding to the important issues of meeting our neighbors face to face. MDI offers the opportunity to encounter the face of Christ in the poor and helps students discern, develop and execute a missionary service response.
Students will have the opportunity to serve the community neighbors and neighbors experiencing homelessness in SVdP Foodbank and Community Service Center and engage in service- learning activity and reflect on their experiences in the light of the Parable of Good Samaritan and gain strength about their faith in the process.
Download Schedule of Activites

MDI Immersion Experience Participants

  • Grade 7 students from Catholic Schools of Western Washington
  • Maximum of 15 students per group accompanied by 3 chaperones
  • Can hold the MDI activity on the regular schedule: Fridays of October and November (scheduling is on a first-come-first-served basis). Dates other than the regular schedule will be upon approval of the SVdP MDI Team.
  • Contact volunteer@svdpseattle.org or 206.482.0000

Arrival at SVdP

  1. Volunteers will be welcomed by SVdP staff at the parking area.
  2. Lunch kits will be dropped in a designated area by the parking.
  3. Proceed to the SVdP Admin conference room for MDI introduction.
  4. Proceed to Foodbank and hold brief instructions on the volunteer work

Closing Session

  1. After the volunteer work, volunteers will go back to the conference hall for the closing activity

Volunteer Tasks:

Storage and Bagging

1. Volunteers will assist in the food distribution and help replenish food bins. Each volunteer will have one to three crate filled with an item that will be offered to the neighbors that they may or may not take.

2. There will be a number on each crate indicating the number each neighbor can take based on the size of their families: Small (S) or Large (L).

3. It is important to check their ticket indicating their family “size” written in S or L. Volunteers can only give the amount listed on the crate. If you make an exception for one neighbor then every neighbor will want the same.

4. If the neighbors does not have the ticket, redirect them back to the Frontdesk. They may not have registered with the receptionists.

5. Core volunteers (regular volunteers) will be around to assist and will answer any questions or concerns that may arise.

6. Volunteers manning the last crate in the line should make sure that the neighbor’s ticket will be dropped back to the container at the end of the line before they exit.

7. Volunteers will be asked to put on gloves. Wearing Facemask is optional.

Foodbank Distribution Line

  1. Volunteers will assist in food distribution and help replenish food bins. Each volunteer will have one to three crate filled with an item that will be offered to the neighbors that they may or may not take.
  2. There will be a number on each crate indicating the number each neighbor can take of that particular item.
  3. It is important to check their ticket indicating their family “size” written in S or L. Please only give the amount listed on the crate. If you make an exception for one neighbor then every neighbor will want the same.
  4. If the neighbors does not have the ticket, redirect them back to the frontdesk. They may not have registered with the receptionists.
  5. You will be handing out food next to a core volunteer (regular volunteers) who will be there to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
  6. Volunteers will be asked to put on gloves. If your gloves rip or get dirty, please put on a new pair. Wearing Facemask is optional

Storage and Bagging (if needed)

  1. Help core volunteers transfer food items (canned goods, fresh produce, etc.) from delivery boxes to the crates and put to a designated place.
  2. Sort and bag items that will be given to neighbors living in RV. This could include toiletries, food items, fruits/veggies, groceries and many more.
  3. Help replenish empty crates on the distribution tables.
  4. Help put empty crates back in designated corners.
  5. Help arrange frozen items and items need to be refrigerated.
  6. Help in the clean-up after the sorting and distribution.

Engaging Neighbors

  1. While many of the neighbors do not speak English, volunteers are encouraged to greet each of them with a smile or a simple “Hello” and “Hi.” You can also use welcoming gestures like waving and use of finger for the quantity of the items.
  2. Volunteers may suggest to the neighbors to grab an empty box if needed available under the table and in one corner of the hall.
  3. Some of the neighbors experiencing homelessness have been living on the streets for a while, so they may not be as presentable as they would like to be. Volunteers may try to make their time enjoyable by smiling and engaging with them in conversation if possible
  4. Be respectful of the space of others. Be aware of their personal space and the volunteer space too. If neighbors have questions you cannot answer, feel free to call the staff.

Other Notes

LUNCH: Bring a sack lunch or snack, including a beverage. We encourage the use of water tumbler for each volunteer to minimize single use of plastic bottles.

WHAT TO WEAR: Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe footwear. Student volunteers may wear their school outdoor uniforms.

BELONGINGS: Leave backpacks and valuables at home or office. (St. Vincent de Paul is not responsible for any lost or stolen items)