The Young Adult Volunteers in New Orleans is a mission of the Presbytery of South Louisiana. The purpose of this program is to offer to young adults a God-Seeking, Life-Changing experience that prepares Young Adults to take part in God’s mission in the world for the rest of their lives.
Program Description
To be a Young Adult Volunteer in New Orleans is to seek God and be transformed in one of the most unique cities in the world. In New Orleans you will cry with and serve your neighbors who grieve the effects of Hurricane Katrina, poverty, violence, and a disappearing wetlands. You will also joyfully dance in the streets with those same neighbors at Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest, or a passing Second Line. The YAV program in New Orleans offers many opportunities for you to engage the city on many different levels and to seek God in the tension of sorrow and celebration.
Goals of the New Orleans YAV site:
For Young Adults during their year of service learn about God, themselves, servant leadership, and social justice with the purpose of being transformed so that this one year will prepare them for rest of their lives to take part in God’s mission in the world.
To be a safe and loving community for the Young Adults who spend a year in New Orleans. We are a home in which young adults are able to explore, risk, and fail within a safety-net of grace, love, and compassion.
For Young Adults who come to New Orleans during their year of service develop a mindset of calling- which is not necessarily linked to what job they have.
For the presence of Young Adults to transform the Presbytery of South Louisiana.
LEARN MORE by selecting an option from the green bar above! Details on Intentional Community Living, YAV Blogs, Placement Opportunities & Requirements can be found.
Intentional Community Living
While in New Orleans YAVs live in an Intentional Christian Community, with fellow YAVs who are serving in New Orleans. The intentional community is responsible for developing a community covenant that will guide relationships and support the community throughout the year.
Each YAV in New Orleans will also be assigned a Host Family. The Host Families are local New Orleans families who will open their heart and homes to you during your YAV year. YAVs do not live with Host Families, but these families are a space outside of the YAV house for YAVs to go when needed.
YAVs meet weekly as an intentional community to reflect on their mission experiences, concerns, vocational call, and faith journey. Volunteers lead Bible studies, book discussions, and commit to sharing the stories of their experiences in service and community through blogging, writing newsletters, and journaling. Volunteers also meet once a month for a joint service project and shared meal.
YAVs will go on three local retreats which provide time for spiritual renewal. Support and encouragement will be found through other volunteers, site coordinator, congregation members, individual mentors, and the community of south Louisiana that truly appreciates the sacrifice and love of volunteers.
Blogs
Young Adult Volunteers (YAV) is a service and leadership development program through the World Mission division of the PC(USA). Young adults serve for one year in the U.S. or internationally, in areas such as fair trade or environmental issues, and have the opportunity to experience Christianity in a new culture. YAVs are between ages 19 and 30. Check out the YAV program blog here.
The Okra Abbey is one of the PCUSA’s new 1001 Worshiping Communities. It is a worshiping community in a Community Garden. As a YAV you will commit your time and talents in hopes that the food produced and the sacred space created in the garden will provide both physical and spiritual nourishment to the local community – especially those who are hungry and in need.
YMCA YES! is an adult education and tutoring program. YAVs work as Adult Literacy Tutors who are responsible for providing small group and one-on-one classes in math, reading, and language mechanics. YAVs learn how to do lesson planning for students under the supervision of the head instructor.
Mid-City Ministries is an after school tutoring program. Their mission is to form long-term relationships with children, teens, and their families in the mid-city community. Mid-City Ministries provides specific services which assist the academic, social, emotional and spiritual development of their students. Mid-City’s ultimate vision is for thier students to grow into adults equipped for a positive future and motivated to use their gifts to serve a larger community.
Lakeview Presbyterian Church is a growing congregation with a focus on Mission in the city of New Orleans. The purpose of this YAV Placement is to assist the congregation in having consistent “hand’s-on” mission experiences for the members of the Lakeview congregation, and to coordinate programming for all mission groups participating in Lakeview’s L.A.M.P. Program. LAMP is a mission of Lakeview that hosts short-term mission groups.
Eden House offers a two-year residential program to adult female victims of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation by offering holistic care to each woman. The goal of Eden House is for each woman to be an empowered, self-sustaining individual equipped with the necessary tools to contribute to the New Orleans Community and to achieve economic and emotional independence. The YAV Placed with Eden House is a integral member of the team.
Visit the New Orleans’ YAV website to learn more.
