YAC Misson Trips

YAC 2005 Mission Trip to New York
with Youth Service Opportunities (YSOP)

The St. Bart’s YAC group returned June 19 from its week-long mission trip to New York City where our senior high youth were put to work on various service projects. The projects were selected and our participation organized through a program run by the Friend’s Meeting House, called Youth Service Opportunities Project (YSOP). Through YSOP, we were placed with various agencies, both public and private, to contribute to their work to help lower income and homeless persons in the New York City metro area. Providing childcare for homeless children, cooking and serving lunches, and sorting clothing at a clothes bank are examples of some of the contributions we made. Our young adults worked well together, quickly taking on the sometimes difficult and dirty tasks they were handed, and amazed us with their willingness to work hard and with their leadership skills.

In addition to hard work, the group also enjoyed the sites in New York. One of the highlights was made possible by former parishioner Peter Linz, son of Garry and Fran Linz. Peter arranged for tickets for our group to see a sold out Tony-award winning play, and gave us a backstage tour after the show! Many thanks to Peter.

Youth participants in the trip were Graham Bonner, Ben Brandon, Jessica Brandon, Mike Gann, Addison Hosley, Audrey Jernigan, Ian MacDonald, and Kate Williams.

YSOP is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded by Quakers in 1983, which is committed to making young people a part of the solution to societal problems by helping them learn what a difference they can make in the lives of others. 

We prepare future service leaders through a unique method, YSOP Workcamps. By combining meaningful volunteer work with a communal living and learning program, YSOP'ers provide vital services to people in need and at the same time are able to reflect on their experiences and broaden their perspectives.

Over 3,500 volunteers last year (2003-2004) participated in our Workcamps, which vary in length from single day to weeklong. Those YSOP'ers touched the lives of more than 225,000 hungry and homeless people through their work in shelters, soup kitchens, schools, food and clothing banks and other direct-service institutions in New York City and Washington, DC.

A YSOP Workcamp is a great way to serve those in need. Workcamps are also an effective way to build team spirit, give direction to a group, unify a diverse set of individuals, or bring a year to a meaningful close while helping people feel good about themselves and others.

Contact Arthur Villarreal for more information.