So Many Ways to Connect with YoungLives!

Looking for a way to connect with YoungLives staff, volunteers, or resources? Look no further!

Does YoungLives Work? Survey Says.... Yes!

In an external survey taken by over 2,000 teen moms involved in YoungLives, the results are clear. Involvement in YoungLives - and particularly, involvement with a YoungLives mentor - produces deep, meaningful, and far-reaching change. Just take a look at a few of these graphics pulled from the YoungLives Impact Report (available for download or purchase here).

The survey concludes that:

The data confirms that YoungLives' method of putting relationships first - and giving teen moms a chance to give back - is working. From increased educational attainment and aspirations, to improved parenting skills, to a new sense of hope and purpose and a strong support system - YoungLives is making it possible for teen moms to beat the odds and build a secure future for themselves and their children. Not only do young moms gain a group of peers and mentors to help them navigate a daunting path, but they find value, meaning, and hope along the way. And that makes all the difference. 

YoungLives staff and volunteers can access the entire PowerPoint presentation of the findings here, complete with take-aways about strengthening mentor relationships, deepening faith conversations, and diversifying the racial/ethnic make-up of YoungLives staff and volunteers. 

FREE Training Videos for YoungLives

Did you know that as a staff or volunteer of Young Life, you can have FREE access to the Netflix of Christian Bible studies, teachers, kids' shows, and online trainings? Yep, it's true! Through a contract with RightNow Media, Young Life has created it's own online training portal, called YL Access. Every Young Life staff person and volunteer is eligible for his or her own account, which gives them unlimited access to literally thousands of Christian videos and video series on everything from parenting to YoungLives-specific training. Want to watch Matt Chandler? Veggie Tales? Jen Hatmaker? Some of your very own YoungLives co-workers? They're all there!

Don't miss out - ask your local Young Life or YoungLives staff person about getting access... to Access!

Survey Says: Infographics from The National Campaign

The National Campaign has done loads of research about teens, sex, and teen pregnancy. Right now, there are quite a few downloadable infographics full of interesting stats. (How faith affects teen pregnancy rates, for example.) While not all might apply to your work in YoungLives, there is some interesting studies and results! You might find this helpful in raising community awareness and training volunteers. 

Remember, this isn't YoungLives specific material. Use what you think might be helpful. Have questions? Contact your Regional or Divisional Coordinator for more guidance. The YL Service Center has some great materials that ARE YoungLives specific. You can order them through the staff site. (Make sure to check out the YLVS Case Statement. This is a great resource and tool for approaching potential donors and volunteers!)

MENTOR Sign

Defining what a mentor is (and what it isn't) with teen moms can be tricky! While we seek to model Christ-like loving relationships, healthy relationships are foreign to so many of the moms we work with. Clorrisa Brooks shares what her club has done in an effort to define the role of a mentor: 

We use this sign (pictured above) every week. We always have it sitting somewhere. We have used it by talking through what the girls think the word mentor means and then (mentors) bringing some different words into it. These are the words the leadership team eventually agreed upon. :) There are many more we could have added but didn't have room for.

M - mom, meaningful, moving forward

E - empowering, encouraging

N - nurturing, non-judgemental

T - together, trustworthy

O - open hearts, obedient, one-anothering

R - real, respectful, relationships

Thanks for sharing, Clorrisa!

Community Resource: ReMoved {A Short Film on Understanding Foster Care}

I watched (read: cried through) this video (see below) earlier this week and wanted to share it with you. ReMoved, a short film by Nathaneal Matanick, focuses on the importance of foster care, while serving as a powerful reminder that every single person has their own unique story. Incredibly moving, and at times hard to watch, I couldn't help but think of so many of the girls we work with in YoungLives. The majority of them have close ties to a foster experience. Take a few moments to watch it and share it with your community. (I wouldn't recommend sharing it at club, this may hit too close to home for many girls. Instead, offer it as a resource for mentors, committee, and other community members.)

After viewing this, it's easy to get feel overwhelmed with the need, yet underprepared to help. Just because we can't fix the problem, doesn't mean we can't help. Anna Wehrmeyer (Holland, MI YoungLives) shared an incredible idea with me that her club recently did. A woman from Anna's community decorates suitcases for children entering foster care. Realizing that so many kids leave home with just a garbage bag or pillow case, this woman started supplying a local agency with personalized suitcases to give to kids moving into foster care. This small act speaks volumes to frightened children that are removed from their homes. The Holland YLVS girls spent part of club decorating suitcases to give to kids in their city. This helped the girls give back in a very real & tangible way. It's a powerful way to encourage teen moms to be a positive member of their community! 

Thanks for sharing, Anna! Do you have an idea you want to share? Email Amy at greatergryounglives@gmail.com to submit it for a blog post.

Young Life Grants and Foundation Relations

Grants are a great way to fundraise larger amounts of money, especially for unique programs like YoungLives. The process, however, can be daunting and overwhelming!

Did you know that the Young Life Service Center has an entire team dedicated to helping you fundraise through grants & foundations? Your YL area can receive assistance in identifying local foundations, writing proposals, grants, as well as providing you with the right tools. Log on to the staff site and search "Grants and Foundation Relations" to get started.  

Personalized Tote Bags

Looking for a great year-end mentor gift? Something for your donors? The perfect camp accessory? Or something for all of the above? Check out the personalized tote bags from the Wedding Chicks. At just $10 a bag (or less if you order more than 20), you can personalize them for your region or area. Pick the colors and design that you like best. These bags make a great gift & an awesome way to represent YoungLives in your community!

Fundraiser Idea: Spring into Spring

Looking for a great way to fundraise & get the word out about YoungLives at the same time? Susan Marsh, Coordinator in Midland, Michigan hosted the "Spring into Spring" event this to raise money for camp. Using a local church as the location, they hosted 30 women for a suggested donation of $25 per person. Guests enjoyed lunch, the chance to put together a spring flower basket, and the opportunity to hear about the ministry of YoungLives.  As an added incentive, Midland YoungLives gave away a custom flower basket to one lucky guest. With both the baskets and lunch donated, it was a successful fundraiser! Not only is this a great fundraising event, it's an awesome way to spread the word about YoungLives in your community... and maybe recruit a new volunteer or two!

Interview with Teen Moms and Mentors

Pittsburgh East Hills recently produced this 5-minute video interview with four pairs of teen moms and their mentors. Use it as a tool in recruiting and training new mentors, at your banquet, or send the link to donors and volunteers as an encouragement!

Sample Case Statement

A case statement provides donors or potential donors with a picture of the annual plans for your area and shows them how they can support YoungLives. Follow this link to see a great example of a YoungLives case statement created Anneke Brown, coordinator in Noralk, CT. 

YoungLives Video

Here is a video that was done by an amazing volunteer in our local area. It's short and communicates the heart of YoungLives from our mentors and teen moms. We made it for a fundraiser that we had this last spring and have since used it to introduce new people to the ministry. 

Sierra's Story: Teen Mom Testimony

Sierra Martinez recently shared her story at the Young Life Celebration conference in Florida. She did an excellent job! Feel free to share with potential (or current!) volunteers or donors. 


Sierra Martinez Testimony at the 2012 YL Celebration from Young Life on Vimeo.

Sample YoungLives PowerPoint Template

Here's a great template for YLVS Presentations, created by Lisa Brown, area director in Tallahasse FL. Thanks for sharing Lisa! You can download the ppt template here.

Once it opens, you can download it by clicking on the 'actions' link at the bottom left of the page and then selecting the option to download as a powerpoint document. You do have to have Microsoft Powerpoint to edit the document.