Phases of the YAV Program
YAVs who served internationally hang out at orientation in Chicago. From the Monisha Smith.
Application
Young adults apply to the program by completing a personal profile online at One Door. Some supplemental paperwork will also be required and can be downloaded. A complete application includes the following:
- A supplemental personal profile
- Three forms of reference
- A signed sexual misconduct policy form
- A worshiping community endorsement form
Alternately, a paper application can be requested from the Mission Service Recruitment Office.
Recruitment
Once these forms are complete, the applicant and the Mission Service Recruitment staff will have a series of phone conversations with the Young Adult Volunteer Program staff, which are designed to allow staff to get to know applicants, learn more about their gifts and interests, and begin the process of discernment.
Discernment
Our goal is to assist young adults as they try to discern God’s call to service. We aren’t selling the program, but rather ask some defining questions that will help them determine the direction in which God is calling them. We ask that applicants be open to this process and really explore what God is calling them to be. We ask that they read through the site descriptions and be open to different opportunities. We also ask that applicants research the sites on their own, for example through reading previous volunteer newsletters through Mission Connections.
Placement
Site representatives conduct conversations with the YAV candidate and make placement decisions based on these discussions. Using the concept of community discernment, the goal of this process is to find the right match for both the site and the volunteer. Volunteers will be matched with a placement site that will use their unique skills, abilities and interests. Some sites may ask for specific skills and others may look for the right education or personality match. Placements at each site generally change from year to year. These changes are based on both the needs of the communities and the particular skills each volunteer has to offer. As the needs of communities and resources to the program shift, some of the particular places of sites may change, but the elements of the program remain the same.
Fundraising
Each YAV will be responsible for raising some support for their year of service. The amount of money to be raised varies based on the site. Further explanation of fundraising will be covered once volunteers receive their specific site placements. Fundraising is both challenging and rewarding. It helps connect volunteers with people who can become a great support not only financially, but spiritually as well. Volunteers are encouraged to maintain communication with their supporters throughout the year through newsletters and other forms of contact.
Find out more about raising support to become a YAV.
Orientation 
YAVs at orientation
At orientation, YAVs build a sense of community, learn skills and tools for use during their term of service, are trained in cross-cultural communication, build enthusiasm for their ministry, and worship and pray together. Volunteers also receive training and orientation at their placement site.
In September of 2007, the YAVs serving within the United States held their orientation at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. YAVs serving internationally held their orientation in Chicago.
Support during service
During the year, the Young Adult Volunteer will receive support from their peers, the site coordinator, their placement supervisor, the communities in which they live and serve, the Presbyterian General Assembly Mission Council staff offices, and friends, family and churches. They also participate in vocational discernment.
Evaluation
Volunteers and supervisors will be asked to complete a mid-term and final evaluation. We encourage the sites to conduct exit interviews and assist the volunteers with closure.
Reentry/Transition
At the end of their year of service, young adults are brought together for a weekend transitional retreat. Trained professionals lead the young adults through techniques that assist them in processing their experiences, telling their stories and integrating their experiences into post-YAV life.
Interpretation
A YAVIT team finishes up practice before going out on the road. Photo by Andy Rector.Interpretation is the sharing of a YAV’s story with others. YAVs can share their stories through events, newsletters, minutes for mission and visiting churches and colleges in their region. Interpretation is an integral part of the YAV experience. Through interpretation, volunteers further serve their placement communities by sharing those communities’ stories with a wider audience. |
