Summer Impact

Serve in Cincinnati

Are you an intergenerational group, youth group, women’s group, men’s group, young adult group, or simply an eclectic gathering of people with a desire to serve and give back this summer?

Your group is invited to Cincinnati to stay at Hyde Park Community UMC and serve alongside local ministries in the heart of the city. During your week, you may participate in building projects, day camps, delivering furniture, walking alongside people experiencing homelessness and sickness, and more.

The heart behind Summer Impact is transformation through service experiences, meaningful interactions, and time for reflection. Together, we discover the work God is already doing in our city and how God is calling each of us to partner in that Kingdom work.

We don’t consider Summer Impact a “mission trip” but a mission training ground. Our hope is that teams return home renewed, energized, and ready to serve in their own local communities throughout the year.

Available Weeks:

June 28th – July 31st

Example Summer Impact Schedule

How It Works

  • Service Projects: Groups can either choose their own projects for the week (we’ll provide partner contacts) or allow us to schedule projects through our ministry partners. Groups serving with Summer Impact often partner with local ministries and nonprofits such as: 

      • New Life Furniture Bank – delivering essential furnishings to families transitioning out of homelessness.

      • Meals on Wheels – providing meals and friendly connection to older adults in our community.

      • Wesley Chapel Mission Center – supporting neighborhood children and youth through camps, tutoring, and enrichment programs.

      • Habitat for Humanity – helping build affordable housing for families in need. 

  • Schedule: Groups typically arrive Sunday evening and stay through Friday morning.

  • Fun & Fellowship: Past groups have enjoyed free evenings with trips to King’s Island, movie nights in Washington Park, laser tag, and local ice cream shops.

  • Facilities & Accommodations: We provide cots/mattresses for students and adults, four showers (typically scheduled with females at the top of the hour and males at the bottom), a large dining/activities multipurpose room, and a full kitchen. Sleeping rooms are located downstairs in the basement, with two adults required per room. 

  • Meals: Groups may bring and prepare food using our kitchen. Local congregations sometimes provide meals for students from nearby.

  • Worship Opportunities: Staff members are available to lead worship upon request for an additional cost.

  • Cost: $300 deposit + $10 per person per night.

Check out our local partners

Pre-Immersion Opportunities

We encourage groups to begin their week with a pre-immersion experience that deepens understanding of Cincinnati’s history and context:

    • Race and Racism in Cincinnati (3-Part Docuseries): Produced by IJPC/Ignite Peace, this series shares the city’s history from the racial margins. Includes film screenings, toolkits, quizzes, reflection exercises, and action steps.

    • Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition – People’s Tour of Over-the-Rhine: A walking tour that sheds light on the realities of homelessness and affordable housing in Cincinnati.

    • Streetvibes Activity: Engage with Streetvibes, an alternative newspaper created by people experiencing homelessness, focusing on social justice and creative storytelling.

Mission & Outreach
and Over-the-Rhine Campus Team

If you are interested in participating in our community outreach efforts, please contact Rev. Kate Smith, Pastor of Mission and Outreach, Young Adults, and OTR Campus, or Christina Cotrone, Mission and Outreach & Young Adult Coordinator.

Rev. Kate Smith

Pastor of Mission and Outreach, Young Adults, and OTR Campus
CONTACT

Christina Cotrone

Mission and Outreach & Young Adult Coordinator
CONTACT

CONTACT

1345 Grace Ave.

Cincinnati, Oh 45208

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