Young Adult Volunteers (YAV)

Mission:

The Young Adult Volunteer program is a one-year service opportunity for young adults ages 19 to 30. YAVs live in intentional Christian community, deepening and developing their faith while serving alongside partners in sites across the United States and around the world. YAVs serve for one academic year, August - July, partnering with community agencies or local churches. YAVs accompany partners addressing root causes of poverty and reconciliation in areas of violence while living and reflecting with other volunteers on the meaning and motivation of their Christian faith.

Issues:

Based on the specific site YAVs are placed. Many site do operate around a theme. For example, advocacy in Washington, DC; interfaith in Indianapolis; food justice in Boston. Each site does represent an aspect of reconciliation in areas of violence or addressing root causes of poverty.

Program Overview

Program Length

1 year

Application Deadlines

October 1	Applications open for 17/18 service year
December 1	Early Decision (all YAV sites)
February 1	Round 2 (all YAV sites – last chance for International placements)
April 1	Round 3 (national sites)
June 1	Final Application Date (limited national spaces available)

Start Date

August 29

Housing

Housing accomodations vary based on service location. At most sites, volunteers either live in a shared house or apartment, or with a host family.

Community

YAVs explore what it means to be a Christian community with one another and their neighbors. While some will live in housing together and others spread throughout their host country, all YAVs will reflect together on their service and explore their relationship with God, the church, and their ministry in a broken world.

Spirituality

Affiliations: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
YAV is an ecumenical program and welcomes individuals of all faith backgrounds, as well as those who do not identify with a particular tradition or set of beliefs.

Are members required to be part of a spiritual reflections and discussions?
Through theological reflection and spiritual practices, YAVs will participate in the process of vocational discernment –unearthing God’s desire for each person’s life and work.

Are there religious / spiritual activities that are part of the program?
YAVs develop their leadership by serving in marginalized communities alongside local people of faith responding to poverty, violence, and injustice in their communities, sharing the gospel through word and deed.

Finances:

Stipends are based on where the YAV is serving and in relation to the communities where they partner.

Student loan repayment is offered to qualified participants during service year.

Locations:

DOMESTIC (US) SITES
INTERNATIONAL SITES

Young Adult Volunteers (YAV)

www.youngadultvolunteers.org

Director:
Rev. Richard Williams

Recruitment Contact: Blake Collins, Associate for Recruitment & Relationships
blake.collins@pcusa.org