How long has YL been around?
Young Life started in 1940.  In 1968, Young Life started in Naperville at Naperville Community High School (now Naperville Central).  After shutting down in the early 80’s, Young Life was restarted in Naperville in 1991 for kids from Naperville Central & Naperville North.  Since then, Young Life programs have started at other schools in town:  Waubonsie (1996), Neuqua (1998), East Aurora (2000).
 
Where is Young Life active?
Young Life is active in nearly 10% of all U.S. high schools and in 50 countries around the world.  There are over 40 schools with Young Life programs in the Chicagoland area, including many in the Western Suburbs.  These include Naperville Central, Naperville North, Neuqua Valley, Waubonsie Valley, East Aurora, Wheaton Warrenville South, Glenbard West, Glenbard South, Wheaton North, Geneva, St. Charles, Hinsdale Central, Hinsdale South, and York High School.  For more information on Young Life at these schools outside the Naperville & Aurora area, check out the national web site at younglife.org

 

How many kids are involved in Young Life?
On average, over 77,000 high school students nationwide attend Young Life meetings each week!  In the Naperville & Aurora area, over 10% (1,500) of all high school students have attended a Young Life meeting and nearly 800 are actively involved (attend at least once per month).

 

What is the difference between Young Life and WyldLife?
Young Life is our high school program and WyldLife is our junior high program specifically designed for 7th & 8th graders from any junior high in District 203 or 204.  Each high school has its own Young Life program that meets twice each week.  WyldLife includes kids from various middle schools at each of its two meetings per month.
 
What do teachers and administrators think about Young Life?
Although Young Life is not an officially school sponsored club, teachers and administrators are very supportive of Young Life and its work with high school kids.  Many teachers, counselors, and administrators in the area are Young Life supporters and some were involved as high school students themselves.  In addition, some teachers are currently involved as volunteer leaders.  To see what some of these individuals are saying about Young Life, check out the Community Endorsement Page.

 

It is a joint effort between Volunteer Committee Members, Staff, Volunteer Leaders, and Donors.  Young Life exists in any community because adults within that community step up to get it started and ensure its long term health.  A group of adults serve on the local Young Life Committee and act as an oversight board while helping to raise funds and support the local staff and volunteer leaders.  There are over 50 adults who currently serve on the Young Life committee.   Five full time staff, three part time staff, and 25 volunteer leaders in the Naperville & Aurora area work directly with kids.  An individual staff person and a team of 4-8 volunteer leaders work together to run the Young Life program at each of the five high schools we work with.  Our team of volunteer leaders include college students, young professionals, and teachers.  All of our staff and volunteer leaders have been extensively trained and have passed a background check. 

 

How is Young Life funded?
Young Life is funded exclusively by the donations of individuals, churches, businesses, and service organizations within the Naperville & Aurora area.  In 2005, over 750 local individuals gave over $300,000 to ensure Young Life’s growth and stability.  Donations are tax deductible and can be sent directly to our local office.  For more information about supporting Young Life, please contact our local office at 630-428-3023.

 

What is Young Life’s relationship with local churches?
Young Life hopes to complement not compete with the efforts of churches and youth groups in the area.  There are several churches doing great things with their youth groups.  However, with over 14,000 high school students in district 203 & 204, there are thousands of kids that are not actively involved in a church.  Our hope is to reach these kids and share what it means to know and follow Christ.  For kids actively involved in a church already, Young Life can be a great complement to their spiritual development.  In addition, these same kids can use Young Life as a tool to reach out to their friends who may not come to a church youth group for one reason or another.  Just as kids who play a sport for their school typically play on a club team as well, there is no reason why kids involved in the church can’t also participate in Young Life and vice versa.

 

Many pastors and youth pastors in the area are huge fans of Young Life.  Nearly 10% of our local operating budget comes from the financial support of area churches.  In fact, over the last five years 13 local churches have contributed over $80,000 to Young Life to ensure its growth and stability.  These churches include Calvary, Good Shepherd Lutheran, Grace Pointe (formerly Naperville Bible), Immanual Presbyterian, Knox Presbyterian, Naperville Congregational, Naperville Evangelical Covenant, Naperville Presbyterian, River Glen Presbyterian, St. John’s Episcopal, St. Thomas the Apostle, Trinity Church of the Nazarene, Wheatland Salem United Methodist.

 

Why does Young Life exist?
Young Life exists to help kids understand the Christian faith and how it applies to their lives.  Because over 80% of all high school students are not actively involved in a church, Young Life exists to help reach out to these unreached kids.

 

Do you join Young Life or become a member of Young Life?
Young Life is not something you join and it does not have members.  Some kids never miss a meeting while others float in and out.  Young Life is open to any high school student at any time and there are no charges or dues paid to attend Young Life meetings.  Kids do pay for camp trips and some special events (bowling lock-in, movie nights) to help cover the costs but not to make profit.  Any money that is “made” on camp trips or through special events in put into a camp scholarship fund to enable kids to attend a Young Life camp who would otherwise be unable to attend.