Seven youth members of the First Presbyterian Church of Highland hit the road on June 15 and joined young people from the First Presbyterian Church of Valparaiso on a mission trip to Rockford, Ill.

Their mission was to spend a week in downtown Rockford working to help those in need. The youth from the Highland congregation - Kelsey Helmer, Sam Helmer, Adam Johnston, Colin Parker, Philip Parker, Bill Zuke and Sam Zuke - were accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Highland; David Gibbs, youth coordinator for the church; and adult member Arletta Schaefer.

During the week, the group worked on four major work sites:  a home in need of repair; a church and an unused parsonage; an apartment in the Rockford Housing Authority (RHA); and the RHA special needs building for use by persons with various disabilities. The youths painted, replaced damaged concrete, cleaned, hauled garbage and repaired trim and porches. They completely painted the RHA apartment, allowing a homeless family to move in on June 23, and landscaped the special needs building.

              On June 22, the Highland church hosted 15 youth and leaders from Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis, Minn., who were headed on a mission trip to Cleveland, Ohio. The Highland church provided dinner and breakfast and provided a place to stay overnight before the Minnesota group began its mission work in Cleveland.