HARRISBURG, PA

MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL TRIP

Harrisburg is the capital city of Pennsylvania and home to Hershey’s Chocolate, Pennsylvania Farm Show, City Island, the National Civil War Museum, Cow Parade, and Broad Street Market.

Harrisburg has played a major role in history from the Civil War to the Industrial Revolution. Located 35 miles from Gettysburg, Harrisburg played a significant role in transporting supplies and materials for the Union armies during the Civil War. During the Industrial Revolution, the city became a large intersection point for railroads and a major player in the steel industry. In the mid-1900s the steel industry was on the decline and suburban migration was on the rise, leaving the city of Harrisburg in economic distress.

The city has made many attempts to recover from its economic struggles, but the overall efforts have not helped to reduce the city’s immense debt.

Though Harrisburg seems to be a flourishing city, there are still significant challenges facing this small urban community. After filing for bankruptcy in 2011, a variety of stressors impacted the city negatively. Although there are noticeable improvements to the city since 2011, there are still neighborhoods within the community that remain significantly underresourced.

YouthWorks started serving in Harrisburg in 2010. A former county commissioner, Nick DiFrancisco, extended the invitation to YouthWorks after going on YouthWorks trips with his church. He connected YouthWorks with Swatara Church of God as a housing location and the church graciously welcomed us. YouthWorks has been able to connect with many incredible organizations providing resources and care for their community.