SOCO Beach Project

The SOCO Beach Project is a Canadian nonprofit organization offering a four-month spring/summer discipleship and community living experience for young adults aged 18 to 29. It is located in Port Dover, Ontario.

Overview

The program focuses on Christ-centered discipleship, allowing participants to engage in intentional Christian living and spiritual one-on-one coaching. The theme of kingdom living is central, emphasizing community service and involvement. Participants work full-time in local industries such as agriculture, retail, food service, and childcare during their stay from early May to mid-August.

Programs and Activities

• Community Living: Participants live and cook together, fostering a supportive Christian community environment.
• Life Skills: They learn essential life skills like budgeting.
• Mentoring: Each participant receives one-on-one mentoring to explore God’s world and their personal calling.
• Fundraising: Participants are involved in fundraising activities to help cover the program costs.

Background

The SOCO Beach Project is an ecumenical initiative in partnership with Resonate Global Mission. It was founded by Willemina Zwart, drawing inspiration from her past experiences in campus and congregational ministry within the Christian Reformed Church. Zwart was previously involved with the Ocean City Beach Project, which influenced her vision for the SOCO Beach Project.

Achievements

In its fourth year of operation, the SOCO Beach Project continues to grow, providing a unique opportunity for young adults to discern God's presence in their lives. The project has successfully acquired a permanent house for its operations through community support.

Mission

The mission of the SOCO Beach Project is to equip young adults to become image-bearers of God, fostering a deeper understanding of their faith and role in the world. The project encourages participants to have meaningful conversations, grapple with challenging ideas, and learn from one another within a supportive community framework.

[1] https://www.southcoastbeachproject.org [2] https://www.southcoastbeachproject.org/donate.html [3] https://www.instagram.com/socobeachproject/ [4] https://actfive.ca/blog/the-story-of-the-south-coast-beach-project-willemina-zwart/ [5] https://www.crcna.org/news-and-events/news/south-coast-beach-project-going-strong