How should I plan my travel arrangements to Aliquippa?
As the summer approaches, you’ll be contacted by an Aliquippa Impact (AI) staff member to confirm your travel arrangements. Please remember that you are responsible to be in Aliquippa before the welcome dinner on MAY 30TH, 2022. If you are flying into Pittsburgh or taking the train, it’s best for you to arrive on MAY 29TH to ensure you are here on time. If you’re having trouble thinking of ways to get here, maybe try…
Your personal vehicle - If you are driving to Aliquippa, we’ll get you the address to where you’ll be staying. There will be a place for you to park your car in our community.
Carpooling - As the summer approaches, we will let you know who is driving from where. In the past, summer staff members have been able to carpool to get to Aliquippa. However, you will be responsible for all coordinating and costs.
Train - Amtrak Train Service comes into downtown Pittsburgh. We’d be happy to pick you up from the train station. Amtrak train tickets can be purchased through their website or toll free phone number. If you are arriving by train, you should arrive in Aliquippa on May 29th to ensure that an Aliquippa Impact staff member is available to pick you up.
Plane - Aliquippa is only 15 minutes from Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). We will be happy to coordinate a ride to pick you up from the airport. If you are arriving by plane, you should arrive in Aliquippa on May 29th to ensure that an Aliquippa Impact staff member is available to pick you up.
Bus - Greyhound and Megabus buses arrive in downtown Pittsburgh. We will be happy to pick you up from the bus station. Greyhound bus tickets can be purchased through their website or toll free phone number. If you are arriving by bus, you should arrive in Aliquippa on May 29th to ensure that an Aliquippa Impact staff member is available to pick you up.
When I arrive in Aliquippa, where should I go?
Upon your arrival in Aliquippa, you should come to our office at St. Titus School.
107 Sycamore St Aliquippa, PA 15001. When you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by a staff member and will get the details you need to feel secure in what’s next.
Where will I be living during my stay?
You will be living in a house with most of the staff members. We’ll give it to you straight, you’ll share a room with other interns. It will be tight, noisy, and lack privacy. At worst, your housing will be crowded and modest. You’ll basically be living out of your suitcase, but we have some portable racks to hang the stuff that’ll wrinkle easy. But, believe it or not, you will probably be sad to leave all of it behind at the end of the summer.
Living with lots of people can be very good, or terrible, depending on YOU. Jesus Christ calls his followers to be servants, and He didn't just give us a command - he demonstrated this with His whole life and actions. The Kingdom needs servants more than it needs leaders or task masters. Part of your growth this summer will come as you learn to do community well in difficult circumstances.
What should I bring?
Please keep in mind that your space will be limited. You will be provided with four t-shirts that you will wear in your day to day work. Our suggestions for packing are the following:
mostly casual, appropriate clothing for a hot and humid summer
some dress-up clothes
money to do some sightseeing (Saturday trips often in downtown Pittsburgh :))
your own sheets, a pillow; one simple blanket. All mattresses are twin (single) size.
a journal
a swimsuit and beach towel
personal items such as towels, soap, washcloth, toothpaste, deodorant, comb, razor, etc.
any youth/children ministry resources you may have - music, books, game ideas, art and craft books, skit books, etc.
a watch
a small extension cord
summer reading, paper and pens, addresses of those you wish to write to if you’re into it
laptop and/or camera (but you are responsible for the care of these items)
Where will I do laundry?
The staff houses have washers and dryers in them for use. You’ll need to purchase your own laundry soap.
Where will I eat?
Meals are generously provided through individuals from local churches who are committed to supporting your stay while you are in Aliquippa. This will give you the opportunity to connect with people who live in the local area as well as eat some delicious food. People are excited to provide meals for you, so please eat up! We also provide gift cards for groceries, toilet paper, and paper towels.
Where can I buy essentials during my stay?
Bring as many essentials as you can with you so you don't have to buy them when you get here. But there are several drug and convenience stores some miles away from where you will be staying and in a walkable distance.
What about wifi, phone, and mail?
Bring your cell phone! You will have wireless internet access at the Aliquippa Impact office and staff house. You will also have access to wireless internet at Uncommon Grounds Cafe on the main street of Aliquippa.
Mail can be sent to the following address and brought to your attention:
Aliquippa Impact
ATTN: Your Name
P.O. Box 227
Aliquippa, PA 15001
What is Aliquippa like?
This small list of questions and answers could never even come close to doing justice to the richness of our community life. We can say a few things though. If you have never lived in an urban area or had much interaction with people from a different cultural or economic background than yourself, this may feel very different to you. Many people do experience some culture shock, but don't let that scare you away. Aliquippa has a lifetime's worth of powerful lessons to teach you about God, yourself, others, and society. Dive into our community this summer and try to scratch the surface.
But when people ask what Aliquippa is like, often part of what they are trying to ask is....
Is Aliquippa safe?
Our answer is "yes" and "it depends". Those of us who have lived in the community for some time have grown comfortable here. We don't live in fear because the residents of Aliquippa are our neighbors. We love them and they love us. We recognize that sometimes the fear of outsiders to our community creates myths about how dangerous our community actually is. That is unfortunate since it labels a portion of society as "dangerous" when this simply isn't so.
At the same time…
We recognize that very few of our summer staff members will ever be truly street smart about drug use and its related crimes, accessibility of guns in the United States, lack of economic opportunities, and even poor anger management skills. All these things contribute to relatively higher rates of violence in America's inner-cities. You must be prepared to adjust and take allowances for where you are.
Because of these facts, we have designed safety rules to help prevent you from being a victim by keeping you from unnecessary risks. These rules are non-negotiable. In our years of summer programs, we have never had a staff member physically harmed or in danger - when they were following our instructions. You can help keep you and your fellow interns safe by using common sense, by hearing and following the advice and rules we give, and by working with us rather than striking out on your own. If you can't do this, you will be asked to return home.
Will I be able to go away for the weekend?
Since your time here is short, we discourage summer interns from taking a whole weekend as a vacation. However, you are allowed to travel on the weekends, and you will not have any work responsibilities on Saturdays and Sundays. We ask that people observe the work week of Monday through Friday. Besides, once you get to know some of the kids and their families, you will not want to be away from them! If a short time away is unavoidable, please clear it with your supervisor first. If possible, please contact our office with the information before you arrive.
Are all of the activities on the schedule required of me?
Pretty much, yes. For every portion of your involvement this summer, you must show up for our youth programs and meetings to run safely and smoothly. We don't "require" people to participate in the prayer/worship portions of the summer, but we highly encourage you to participate.
If you have been accepted into our summer program, it is assumed that you know what you are getting into. Spiritual formation and learning, as well as, youth program involvement are part of the experiential package for the summer. This is MUCH more than just a summer job. So if you feel like you can't show up to these things with a good attitude and be excited to participate, then maybe this experience isn't for you. And that's OK - you might just want to look for a different opportunity. We want people to come because it’s exciting to them as part of a total discipleship experience - not because they were forced to come. If you come with anticipation about what God will do in your life and in the life of others, your attitude will remain positive.
What suggestions do you have for living in Aliquippa?
First, approach the summer as a learning opportunity. Your ability to be teachable will directly correspond to you having a positive experience in Aliquippa.
Second, be yourself. The summer is an opportunity to share experiences with so many different people. You will be able to learn and grow from them just as they are able to learn and grow from you.
Third, do not classify people. Not ALL Black folks play basketball or rap or have rhythm. All urban youth do not come from single-parent homes. All young men out on the streets are not selling drugs. All the boys in our community do not play football. Remember that each individual and family unit is unique, and stereotypes can hurt people.
Fourth, give yourself opportunities to share experiences with your neighbors. Don't drive a car if you can walk. Don't drive to Wal-Mart if you can shop at our local grocery and convenience stores, even if it costs more money. Hang out on the front porch. Use these as opportunities to discover how similar you are to your neighbors and learn what you really need to live.
Finally, be a good neighbor. Your presence in the neighborhood does not go unnoticed. In fact, you are being watched and listened to constantly. We look out for one another around here and are intentional in connectedness. You are an ambassador for AI, for the local church, and for Christ. Be cognizant of how you carry and dress yourself-- remember the dignity you have in Jesus. Keep your house and sidewalk clean. Get to know parents of youth. Treat everyone with respect. Listen.
Can I bring my car?
Yes. You must have insurance and provide proof of your insurance to us. Keep in mind, Aliquippa Impact insurance will not cover your liability, collision, or other insurance needs when you use your car. If you plan to bring a car, you must sign an Agreement for Personal Vehicle Use upon your arrival. Plan on only having access to on-the-street parking. We will not, because of insurance and safety issues, be able to permit you to use your vehicle to transport children or youth in our programs.
What should I know about bringing valuable personal items?
Many of our staff members in years past have chosen to bring valuable personal items such as cameras or laptops. Cameras and computers can be helpful to you for the summer, since they will enable you to document your work here and also plan your lessons with the youth.
If you bring these times, you alone are responsible for them. We can take no responsibility for your items being damaged or stolen. If you are careless with your items (using them outside in plain view, leaving them in an unlocked space, leaving them unsupervised) they will get stolen.
You should not be wearing valuable jewelry during your stay with us. Leave it at home where it will be secure. You should not keep large amounts of cash on you or in the staff house. Use a bank!
Televisions, desktop computers, printers, or other large electronic equipment won’t be necessary for your time here. There is a television in each staff house that you can watch movies on in the common area.
Will I get paid this summer?
Yes! Each summer staff member gets paid a stipend for the summer (talk to one of us to know the amount). You'll get paid every two weeks during your stay. You also have the option to raise additional support from family, friends, and your home church. We can explain to you what this process looks like.