It starts with adults who are concerned enough about kids to go to them, on their turf and in their culture, building bridges of authentic friendship. These relationships don't happen overnight — they take time, patience, trust and consistency. So Young Life leaders log many hours with kids — where they are, as they are. We listen to their stories and learn what's important to them because we genu
inely care about their joys, triumphs, heartaches and setbacks. We believe in the power of presence. Kids' lives are dramatically influenced when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God's love with them. Because their Young Life leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose. This is the first step of a lifelong journey; the choices they make today, based upon God's love for them, will have an impact on future decisions — careers chosen, marriages formed and families raised — all ripples from the time when a Young Life leader took time to reach out and enter their world. The 5 C's of Young Life
A Time Test Approach
Young Life began with a few simple ideas about sharing the truth of God’s love with adolescents. Almost seven decades later, those simple ideas have become time-tested methods for reaching out to middle school, high school and college students in friendship and hope. Contact Work- Caring for Kids
Because kids don’t care how much you know till they know how much you care, Young Life leaders show they care by going where kids are, meeting them as they are, believing in who they can be. Within Young Life we call the persistent going out into the world of kids “contact work.” But kids just call it friendship. Club- A Party with a Purpose
What is it about Young Life club that makes it the best night of the week for
thousands of kids every week? We like to think of it as a party with a purpose. It’s controlled chaos that’s almost impossible to describe, but kids know it when they see it. And before the party ends, we share a simple message about God’s love for them. After all, that’s what the celebration is all about. Camp- The Best Week of Their Life
Kids consistently tell us that Young Life camp is the best week of their life. That’s a rousing (and unsolicited) endorsement! But how else would you describe a week where deep relationships are forged in the midst of mind-boggling fun and where you experience and listen to what we believe is the greatest love story ever told? Campaigners- A Time to Question, Learn and Grow
Campaigners (a name that points back to the early days when Young Life was referred to as “The Young Life Campaign”) is a weekly meeting for kids who wish to learn more or grow in their faith through study, service and leadership. Young Life leaders also encourage these kids to celebrate their faith through participation in a local congregation. Committee- Adults Who Care
Young Life is making a difference in the lives of kids around the world because we are supported by adults who care about kids in their community. For every talented Young Life staff person, there is a team of dedicated volunteer leaders who work directly with kids. In each community, the local “committee” — comprised of parents, Young Life alumni and civic leaders — provides a foundation of financial, administrative and moral support for the local Young Life team.
