For spring break I traveled down to Jackson, Mississippi. With 12 other people from Hope, I volunteered with a ministry known as Voice of Calvary. Their primary purpose is racial reconciliation and community development through the Gospel. (http://www.vocm.org/) West Jackson is a fairly poor area, 90% black, 10% white. Because of "white flight" the economy has deteriorated. When the whites left the area they took the resources with them, significantly decreasing the amount of tax revenue and other money in the area. What VOCM hopes to accomplish is getting the residents motivated to take care of their own area. This is done through the purchasing and fixing up of houses. The houses are then rented or sold to residents, keeping the money in West Jackson. They are also working with residents on financial advising. Their attempt here is to teach them about the banking system and get them saving money. The ministry also offers free GED classes to local residents. 
As a volunteer group, we spent some time doing a number of things. We painted some houses, cleared trash and brush from yards and area they are hoping to develop. We also volunteered at the GED classes, an after school program, and a soup kitchen. In the afternoons we were blessed with the oppurtunity to hear several speakers. This was important because we were educated about the real issues of poverty and our job as Christians. It was very informative and great to have some context for the work we were doing.
All in all it was a great time. I worked hard, met some sweet people, got a sunburn, and spent 26 hours in a van. Happy Spring!!