Learn about the Young Adult Volunteer Program
Deadline Information
Revised application deadline for service in the U.S. 2012-2013 is May 25, 2012
Important Dates:
Orientation August 20-27
Transition Retreat September 20-23
What is the YAV Program?
Are you considering serving as a YAV this year? Join us on Tuesday, January 10 at 7pm EST for a free webinar, hosted by YAV staff and YAV alumni.
The Young Adult Volunteer Program offers exciting opportunities in Christian service and learning for young adults (19 to 30 years of age.) The Young Adult Volunteer Program has 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 for prayer and Bible study and participate in vocational discernment 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. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), you and your supporting congregation(s) and presbytery, and some placement agencies share funding of this program. All volunteers are required to raise some of their financial support. However, a limited number of scholarships are available each year.
Learn more about the history of the Young Adult Volunteer program, and its impact on the PC(USA) and the world, by reading our wikipedia article.
Important dates for 2012
- YAV Placement Event for international site interviews: March 15-18, 2012, Louisville, Kentucky
- Orientation: August 20-27, 2012, Stony Point, New York
- Transition Retreat: September 20-23, 2012, Ghost Ranch Abiquiu, New Mexico
Watch a webinar presentation to learn more
You can download the video of our December 2010 informational webinar which has conversations with former YAVs and an interactive conversation with other enquirers, touching on many frequently asked questions.
Goals of the YAV Program
The Program was developed with several goals in mind:
- To experience living in intentional Christian community — Whether or not the young adults live under the same roof, they explore what it means to be a Christian community.
- To focus on spiritual formation — Through the mentorship of site coordinators and fellow interns, young adults reflect on their experiences and explore their relationship to the church and their ministry in a broken world.
- To engage young adults in the church’s mission — The church seeks to provide opportunities for young adults to serve the church and their communities. Young adults experience and develop leadership within communities of faith. With training and support, they can provide leadership in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and in the ecumenical church.
- To assist YAVs in vocational discernment.
- To be present in communities of need and to facilitate young adults’ engagement in communities of need.
Eric and Ashley, current Young Adult Volunteers, talk about what the YAV Program is and why you should apply in this video from site coordinator Kathy Lee
