Back Bay Mission

9/3/08 LTel
Per call to Corey at this site:

They house volunteers in two trailers, capacity is 28 total. The trailers are fully equipped with bathrooms and showers. Volunteers are responsible for their own meals.

Work orders are through both the city and their organization for rebuilds.

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AS OF 11/07: BOOKED THROUGH 2008, TAKING INQUIRIES FOR 2009

Back Bay Mission was founded in 1922 as an outreach effort of the First Evangelical Church of Biloxi (later United Church of Christ), whose members responded with compassion and service to the needs of poor "fisher folk" living in deplorable conditions along the Back Bay of Biloxi, Mississippi. Since then, Back Bay Mission has continually grown its services and ministries, always keeping the impoverished and marginalized at the center of its concern. Although there were no longer any UCC congregations in Biloxi or in the state of Mississippi by the early 1970s, Back Bay Mission remained to offer a witness of the United Church of Christ. Its commitment is to be faithfully responsive to the emerging and critical needs of God's people, ever seeking a day of greater justice and peace. Program Areas of Back Bay Mission.

Following the crippling Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, Back Bay Mission found itself with no habitable facilities. In fact, of the seven buildings, six have been demolished and the seventh is awaiting a complete interior rebuild. All ministries were discontinued for a few weeks before receiving two donated work trailers from which the staff resumed work and began shaping services to fit the space and the post-Katrina reality.

Within a few months workcamping, now more accurately called "disaster relief/recovery," began receiving work teams from across the country to help the Mississippi Gulf Coast dig out and rebuild. Three mobile homes now serve as housing for these inspired and inspiring groups.

Because of the incredible outpouring of support from UCC churches, individuals, and organizations, Back Bay Mission is recovering more quickly than many locally based agencies. The staff of seven full time employees and four part time persons provide direct services to poor families while creating new independent service agencies. Because of past and current UCC investment in Back Bay Mission's work, over $10 million in vital services are delivered annually to South Mississippians in such diverse areas as education, legal aid, health care, feeding programs, early childhood development, family counseling, housing, and domestic violence.

Back Bay Mission - Hurricane Katrina Disaster Work Teams
General Information

Current Reality
While losing its own facilities in the hurricane, Back Bay Mission staffs are using construction trailers as temporary offices. For the coming months the task of our work groups will consist of helping to rebuild homes damaged in the hurricane. Work sites will be in Biloxi and/or Gulfport. Because of the extent of the devastation from Katrina, it is important that groups come knowing there will be both hard work and heartache.

Work Group Housing and Meals
Housing will be in two large air-conditioned 80 foot mobile homes. Each mobile home has two full bathrooms and three sleeping areas with 7 bunk beds for a total capacity of 14 in each. While both are equipped with range, oven and dishwasher, one is set up for all cooking/eating and the second for lounging. Meals are the responsibility of the group.
When two groups are sharing the facilities we ask that the leaders be in contact beforehand to facilitate cooperation between the groups.

Work Activities/Schedule
Currently work may include such things as mold abatement, electrical/plumbing, insulation, drywall, painting, and roofing. This is important work in assisting neighborhoods to regain their sense of home. This is not a typical Back Bay Mission workcamp experience.

If possible, orientation will begin late Sunday afternoon with a visit to potential work sites. Work hours are normally from 7:30/8:00 - 12:00 and 1/1:30 until 4. Within this schedule there is flexibility, particularly during the heat of summer.

Minimum Age Requirements
Beginning with the fall of 2006 participants must be high school age. Because of the nature of the work no more than 10% of the group may be as young as 14. In so far as possible groups are asked to include adults skilled in home repair.

Costs and Reservation Process
Currently there is a $150 reservation fee and $50 per person for the week, please mail to Back Bay Mission prior to arrival or bring it into the office to Lori or Denise. The week fee may increase in 2007. We ask for a roster of all workcampers that will arrive at Back Bay Mission (name, address, email, etc.). For further information, please E-mail volunteer coordinator at bbvol@datasync.com or call 228-432-0301.

Back Bay Mission's offices are still located at 1012 Division St., Biloxi, MS 39530.