Where the Ohio River meets the mighty Mississippi, you’ll find the small town of Cairo, IL. While the community has struggled to recover from the decline of the river industry, it carries a rich history. Your group will partner with Cairo residents to serve and develop this community through children’s ministry and home improvement projects.

Demographics

Cairo (pronounced CARE-oe), founded in 1818, is located on the southernmost tip of Illinois. Once poised to become a prosperous urban center driven by commerce from the rivers and the railroad, Cairo experienced a population boom during the early 1900s. However, as river trading declined and railroads began to bypass the town, Cairo’s prosperity and population rapidly declined. As the most prominent segregated town in the state of Illinois during the Civil Rights movement, racial tensions were high and—despite eventual desegregation—contention continues to exist. Today, much of the town appears abandoned, its rich history covered by years of decay. Many of the 3,000-plus Cairo residents struggle in the midst of a high unemployment rate (14.2 percent). According to 2000 U.S. Census data, 33.5 percent of Cairo’s residents live below the poverty line. While the town continues to face many challenges, residents warmly welcome the support and service that youths bring to the town.

About the Ministry

Participants serve in a variety of ways during a YouthWorks mission trip. Students may spend all week at one ministry or switch between ministries during the week. Ministries that your students may participate in are Kids Club and Work Projects. Kids Club is a hands-on program led by your youth offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Whether we’re painting houses, performing minor home repair, cleaning up debris, volunteering in community gardens or other projects in the community, the projects students work on will serve as our way of blessing people in need. We cannot confirm until all groups arrive exactly what ministries your students will be a part of during the week. We ask that you come with a willing and flexible spirit!

Activities

Evening activities during a YouthWorks week are designed to give participants insight into the lives of local residents and the culture of the area. A list of evening/cultural activities we have done in the past include: go costume bowling in nearby Charleston; attend a local church service; go on a scavenger hunt around Cairo; and attend a community cookout. These are examples of what your group might partake in during your mission week. These examples are subject to change due to weather or availability. In case of change, suitable substitutes will be provided. We try to arrange for free evening activities, but from time to time, an additional cost may be required for an activity. Please plan to bring an additional $10 per person to cover any extra costs. We will confirm the details closer to your trip.

Ministry Week

Kids Club and Work Projects.

Mileage

Cairo is located approximately 2.5 hours southeast of St. Louis, MO.

Transportation & Travel

Each group is responsible for transportation to and from the site, and during the mission week. This is a bus accessible site. A bus is defined as any vehicle that is larger than a standard 15-passenger van. If you would like to bring a vehicle in this category, you will need to contact the Service Center to discuss the additional requirements due to the size of your group.

Additional Information

If you would like more information on what there is to do in Cairo and surrounding areas before or after your trip, call the Southernmost Illinois Tourism Bureau at 1.618.734.2737, or you can check out the following Web site: www.adventureillinois.com.