March 25-29, 2013
$650.00 

Mission

Los Angeles is known as the world’s future financial capital, being ranked the 11th largest economy in the world. At the same time, Los Angeles has been labeled as America’s first Third-World city with an estimated 15-20,000 homeless people living within the 10 sq. block area in Downtown Los Angeles called Skid Row.

The Real Break LA Skid Row team will put Christ’s love into action by serving the poor in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. The team will learn about the many forms of poverty and begin the fight against it through working with the various missions on Skid Row.

The goals of this trip are to love and serve a community of the poorest people living around the corner from the wealthiest in our country, to interact the people living on the streets, to develop a better understand of poverty, and to fellowship and enter into a regular life of prayer and service with Orthodox college students from across North America.

Information about FOCUS North America

The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve (FOCUS) North America is a Pan-Orthodox non-profit ministry with headquarters in Pittsburgh, PA.  Its mission is one of service to the poor in urban and rural areas.  As an expression of Christ’s love, FOCUS North America serves the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned by providing Food, Occupation, Clothing, Understanding and Shelter.  New FOCUS Centers are being created all over the United States, including Orange County, San Diego, St. Louis, MO, Minnesota, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh, where churches are working together to provide meals for the poor as well as other services.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: www.focusnorthamerica.org

Trip Cost - $650.00

The cost includes ground transportation, lodging, meals, and materials; however, it does not include the domestic travel to and from Los Angeles (LAX).  You are strongly encouraged to book your domestic flight as soon as you receive confirmation that your Real Break trip is Active - There are enough participants for the trip to happen.

If you fundraise over the trip cost, you are eligible to receive a reimbursement of the cost of your domestic flight up to the overage amount fundraised. Please refer to the 2013 Real Break Information Packet at www.ocf.net for more details.

Trip Registration

There are limited spaces for each destination. To secure your spot, register online at www.ocf.net with a $150 deposit. Final payment will be due by January 30, 2013.  However, if you opt to set-up a credit card hold, final payment is not due until 2 weeks after the end of your trip.  To set up the hold please call 661-412-2267 by January 30, 2013 to securely process this information.

SUPPORT THE MISSION – YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Most groups we serve rely on donations to continue their ministry, as does OCF. Support your mission and OCF by fundraising more than your trip cost! Excess funds will be given to support the work of the FOCUS North America with a small portion used to cover OCF’s operation costs.

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Please refer to the Real Break Information Packet at www.ocf.net for detailed information regarding refunds and cancellations.

Travel Arrangements

Each participant will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements, updating this information online on their registration, and e-mailing this information to realbreak@ocf.net.  Please book your flight to Los Angeles, CA (LAX) on March 25, 2013 arriving before 1:00 PM and depart Los Angeles, CA (LAX) on March 29, 2013 after 4:00 PM.  As we draw closer to the day of the trip, the leader will direct you where the Real Break team will meet.

If Driving: Arrive at the following location no later than 4 PM on March 25, 2013:

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral
| 1324 South Normandie Ave. | Los Angeles, CA 90006

Living Conditions

The team will be staying at St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles. Team members will need to bring sleeping bags, towels, and toiletries. If possible, bring an air mattress.

Emergencies

In case of emergency during your trip, please call 800.919.1OCF (1623). Also, your trip leader will be contacting you with his phone number in case you have problems with your arrival.

Clothing

Mission work through the Orthodox Church has always been an effort to bring the Gospel of Christ to all people through meekness, and humility.  Therefore everything that we do or wear represents an image of who we are.  T-shirts with suggestive, crude, or derogatory language will draw negative attention to your group.  Please do not bring them.

Pack old, modest clothes that are comfortable to work in. No mid-drift shirts or tank tops/sleeveless shirts will be permitted. You may wear shorts, but we recommend long pants for various projects. Bring warmer clothes for the evenings.

We will have some free time, and most likely go out for dinner one evening, so casual clothes are recommended.

What to Bring?

• A positive attitude
• Work clothes (we suggest jeans and
  t-shirts)
• Work shoes/sneakers (no sandals or
  open-toed shoes while working)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Warm clothes for evening and night
  (light jacket/sweater)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Camera
• Sufficient clothing
• Flip-flop sandals for showers
• Personal toiletries
• Bible/Spiritual Reading
• Notebook, pen, etc.
• Water Bottle
• Small Flashlight

• Alcoholic Beverages and/or Tobacco
• Illegal Drugs (prescription or over-the-counter drugs must be kept in their original containers)
• Solid Dark Blue or Red shirts
• Expensive jewelry

Download 2013 Real Break LA- Skid Row Trip Information Packet (PDF Format)   

Download 2013 Real Break Participant Information Packet    (PDF Format)

View 2013 Real Break Fundraising Essentials