California's lesser-known summer gamesMennonite Central Committee PARLIER, Calif. -- "Here in this community kids play a lot of basketball and soccer. We wanted to do something different -- like street hockey," says 18-year-old José Mireles. Youth from the community gather at Iglesia Hermanos Menonita de Parlier (Parlier Mennonite Brethren Church) for the first hockey match of the "Summer Games" organized by Mireles as part of his assignment for Mennonite Central Committee's (MCC) Summer Service Program.  Mireles and others distributed fliers in the community promising activities such as hockey, flag football and board games every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening throughout the summer. The activities entertain youth from this neighborhood, near Fresno, and keep them out of trouble while their parents are still at work, he explains. Braving the late-afternoon California heat, about 10 young men arrive and sort through the donated equipment, choosing sticks and protective gear. Mireles explains the rules and the boundaries and assumes the role of referee. Within minutes, a younger boy wanders over to watch from the road. Mireles walks over to talk with him and the two soon return, stopping play to make introductions. Corin Negrete, 17, attends Parlier and also volunteers in the church's summer youth activities. Watching from the sidelines she says, "It's nice to see him get the community involved. We haven't had something like this in a while." The Summer Service Program allows young adults of diverse ethnic backgrounds to serve in their home communities and gain leadership experience. Summer Service workers are sponsored by Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches, MCC U.S. and other faith-based organizations. For more information on the Summer Service Program contact your nearest MCC office.
For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org |
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