Dwell in Chicago
DOOR Chicago is looking for young adults to participate in service, community, hospitality, holistic relationships and living together in intentional community while experiencing the gifts of the city.
About Dwell Chicago
- Lives intentionally in an urban community
- Builds each other up as Disciples of Jesus Christ through doing ministry as a team in the neighborhood, learning to accept different urban communities through understanding and relating to them as children of God, and being supportive to East Garfield Park.
- Is supported in their faith journey through a beginning of the year orientation, retreats during the year, and an end-of-term debriefing retreat
- Is 19-29 years of age
- Spend one day per week with the other Dwellers in informal reflection or directed study on themes of racism, classism, Christian Community Development, and the political systems of Chicago as they relate to Christian living.
- Receive modest stipend to support living expenses
- Engage and participate in local churches
- Serve in a social service agency 4 days a week
- Participate in 4 retreats spread out over the year
General Info
DWELL will connect candidates to Chicago allowing them to learn in, serve in, and support local ministries such as church ministries, elder care, medical clinics, and in a variety of soup kitchens and homeless shelters. DWELL is not just about a placement in a good works agency, but rather also incorporates components of intentional community living, exploring faith with local churches, and a genuine interest in developing vocation in ministry.
Candidates will be interviewed and placed with Chicago agencies and ministries based on the need of the local ministry and the gifts and talents of the candidate. After arriving Sept. 4, the first two weeks are set aside for orientation, exploring the city, reflecting on the upcoming year, reading, and settling in. Dwellers will serve in their ministry placement an average of 32 hours a week. They will meet together as a team one day a week for directed study, prayer, experiential learning through city outings, or ministry and living issues. Four retreats are taken throughout the year – at the beginning and the end as well as two others during the course of the service term.
Goals
To raise up Christian urban ministers to find solutions to problems plaguing our country and our churches. To dwell amongst the people of Chicago as Christ's example of living among us. To make known and to know God's presence in the city of Chicago by connecting to the community and being a part of an urban renewal movement. To meet a critical need of the local churches and the local community.
Activities
COMMUNITY - Volunteers will live in community with a diverse group of 4-6 Christian young adults, learn the meaning of Christian love and work through differences. Time is set aside in the schedule each week to allow volunteers to develop relationships with people from the community in which they live and experience the joys and difficulties of cross-cultural friendships.
SPIRITUALITY - Volunteers will engage in prayer, worship and reflection as an individual, team and community of teams. Each volunteer will receive support from the City Directors and be matched to a personal prayer partner (or accountability partner from the Dwell team). They will participate regularly in a local church and learn to apply their Christian beliefs in an urban setting. Volunteers will explore the Christian discipline of simple living.
SERVICE - Volunteers will be matched with a service site during the course of the year. That service site will be determined by the volunteer's interest in urban issues. Opportunities include working with Chicago’s homeless community, elder care, local church’s outreach to community, and others that may suit the interest of the participant.
Details
BENEFITS - DWELL will provide housing, utilities, a community grocery budget, public transportation pass, retreats throughout the year, a monthly stipend, and health insurance. Volunteers will be expected to raise support of about $6500; however, upon completion of service volunteers are eligible for grants for partial payments of student loans and moving expenses. Volunteers are also expected to report their experience to their home church, financial supporters, and the National DOOR community.
PERIOD OF SERVICE - One year (beginning of September through beginning of August)
If interested, you may contact Krista Dutt at 312.545.3667 or
Krista@DOORnetwork.org. Or you may fill out an inquiry form to receive more information.
Curriculum
DWELL provides a curriculum that brings together a diverse collection of books, articles and experiences that our Dwellers read and discuss on a weekly basis throughout the year. The goal of our curriculum is to expose our participants to a variety of perspectives on a variety of subjects, ranging from interpersonal relationships to social justice to spiritual growth.
Trainings focus on various issues related to the various community service sites, churches, or neighborhood experiences. Topics include: literacy, environmental justice, racism, civil rights, affordable housing, health care, and various other topics. Community Day is a time that all Dwellers come together to eat, reflect on their weeks, and study themes from scripture and the city. Time is set aside for each person to share with a mentor-like prayer partner (or accountability partner).
Site Information
Chicago is a great city that balances blue collar work ethnic, culture, and overall city appeal. DOOR is a program designed to help inform, educate, challenge, and motivate individuals to respond to the issues and concerns facing urban America. DOOR exists to challenge individuals to consider ministry and service of a daily part of their life.