Seeing the faces of adversity

Young Adult Volunteers come face to face with some of the world’s most deep-seated problems. In this six-minute video Libby Hunter tells about working with youth in Northern Ireland who are dealing with religious and political strife, and Kori Phillips describes encounters with marginalized people in Peru. Both served in the Young Adult Volunteer program during 2006-2007.

Young Adult Volunteers (YAV)

Young Adult Volunteers at the Grand Palace in Thailand. Photo courtesy of MSR.

The Young Adult Volunteer Program offers exciting opportunities in Christian service for young adults (19 to 30 years of age.) The Young Adult Volunteer Program has 18 sites in the United States and abroad, and requires a commitment of one academic year. Young Adult Volunteers serve in communities of need. The job descriptions for the volunteers depend both on the needs of our partners and the skills of the Young Adult Volunteer. In their placements, volunteers work with a church or organization as well as develop Christian community and meet regularly for prayer and Bible study with other Young Adult Volunteers. Although specific activities and information are particular to each unique site, all volunteers will receive on-site orientation, work closely with mentors in the program, and have an opportunity to integrate the experience at an end-of-term conference. Partial payment of outstanding student loans may be available for qualified applicants. Funding of this program is shared by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), you, and your supporting congregation(s) and presbytery.

Discernment of placement is made in community with input from the candidate, the site coordinator and the Young Adult Volunteer Program staff. Interviews for national placements will be held by telephone. Because of the difficulty of long-distance communication with some international sites, international placements will require in-person interviews. These will be conducted at a Young Adult Volunteer Placement Event. Candidates are encouraged to look at possible placement both nationally and internationally.

Read first-hand accounts from current and past Young Adult Volunteers.

YAV Sites

• Southeast Alaska — Village Youth Ministry
• Atlanta, Georgia —Dwell-Atlanta
• Belfast, Northern Ireland — Youth and Community Work
• Cincinnati, Ohio — Urban Ministry
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• Gulf Coast — Mississippi and Louisiana
• South India
• Kenya
• Miami, Florida — D.O.O.R. program
• Nashville, Tennessee — Young Adult Mission Volunteer
• Peru
• Seattle, Washington — Intentional Communities
• Tucson, Arizona — Borderlands
• Hollywood, California
• San Antonio, Texas