More than 1,000 local Catholic teens kicked off their summer break helping those in need during the 15th annual Mission Possible Service Week, an in-town missionary experience sponsored by parish youth ministries in the Diocese of Dallas June 14 through 18.

      Youth in grades 6 through 12 and about 300 adult leaders from at least 28 parishes made up work crews that provided more than 36,000 hours of service at different sites each day throughout the Dallas area.

     Mission Possible was established in 1995 at St. Jude’s Parish in Allen by youth ministry coordinator Tammy Amosson with about 50 students and adult volunteers.  The youth ministry team was inspired by Connie Amosson, Tammy’s mother-in-law, who dedicated her life to serving others.

     Jeri Phillips, co-coordinator for Mission Possible, said some of the teens have never visited a nursing home or homeless shelter or never experienced working with special needs children.

     “Mission Possible is an opportunity for young people to explore their own gifts and see how they might use those gifts for the benefit of others,” she said. “Kids may find that they have a real interest in trying to help meet the needs of homeless people” and others.

     Mission Possible is “a beginning,” she said.

     “It’s a way for kids to see beyond themselves …and start to look at the world through God’s eyes!”