Mission: Possible Portland, OR Description
Acknowledgment of Risk and Release of Liability
Program design
Service immersion is an in depth, engaging learning experience focusing on social justice issues.
Mission: Possible is a week long program in which ten groups of 10-20 students travel to ten
sites around the country over Spring Break to serve local communities unlike their own
confronted with social injustices. Mission: Possible Portland works with non-profit organizations
addressing the basic needs of the vast homeless population in the city. Work sites include the
Portland Downtown Chapel, Portland Homeless Family Solutions, and the Blanchet House of
Hospitality.
Simple Living
The Mission: Possible experience focuses on the concept of simple living, specifically our use of
food, transportation, water, and technology. With this in mind, we will be eating a simple diet
and limiting our use of showers, phones, iPods and other electronic devices. Food allergies and
special needs will be accommodated.
Sleeping arrangements
The group will stay at Grace Christian Fellowship Church, sleeping in a large, common space on
the ground. Student leaders and staff will be present each night.
Schedule of events
On Saturday, the group will drive from Spokane to Portland which takes approximately 6 hours.
Sunday will be a free day where the group will visit sites around downtown Portland and drive to
Cannon Beach (weather dependent). Monday through Friday, students will work at the Blanchet
House and the Portland Downtown Chapel serving meals throughout the day. In the afternoons,
the group may visit other attractions downtown such as Pioneer Square and Pittock Mansion.
Evenings will then include service at the Portland Homeless Family Solutions shelter. The
following Saturday the group will drive from Portland back to Spokane.
Goals and Learning Outcomes for Mission: Possible
1. Learn and apply the four pillars of simplicity, justice, community & spirituality
2. Reflect on societal & systemic injustice as well as acknowledge & identify
discrimination, power and privilege
3. Engage in new perspectives, community & culture
4. Develop a commitment to living in solidarity with those we serve
5. Engage in transformative work, spiritual formation, and reflection
Potential physical & environmental hazards
Mission: Possible Portland agrees to
1. Follow the rules and regulations provided by all non-profits
2. Follow safety precautions in the kitchen
3. Wear appropriate clothing for the work we will be doing (ie closed toed shoes)
During Mission: Possible Portland we will be
1. Working with homeless populations
2. Cooking
During Mission: Possible Portland we will not be
1. Using heavy machinery or explosives
2. Working without proper instruction and safety gear