Young Life has been involved in the lives of kids for over 65 years.  Founded by a man named Jim Rayburn in Dallas, Texas, Young Life has spread to all 50 states and over 50 different countries.  It is estimated that almost one million kids are impacted by Young Life every year in the United States alone. 

Young Life West Feliciana was initiated when adults in our community started meeting together to pray for kids in August 2003.  Our first staff person, Dan Vander Woude, was hired in June of 2005, and in September 2005, trained volunteer leaders began entering into the world and lives of kids.  Every day of the week in our parish, you will find our leaders spending significant time with kids.

"What are you doing here again," a leader was asked the other day by a curious kid.  "I came to see you," he replied.  The leader's high school friend smiled back at him and said, "You're always here.  That's cool."

Kids long to matter, and kids long to be loved.  Daily, Young Life leaders are telling kids that they matter and are loved by simply opening and sharing their lives with them.  Our leaders spend almost 60 hours a week with kids- not including the time that two of them spend in the classroom with them as their algebra or Spanish teachers.