GET INVOLVED GIVE Home Get Involved For Every Kid About Give Camping Find View in-person COVID-19 guidance information. “We consider it a sacred calling to be in the lives of young people and seek to be models of integrity and professional in our care for those involved in our ministry” — Newt Crenshaw YOUNG LIFE'S STANDARD PRACTICES FOR Caring for Kids As an organization committed to the very best in life for young people, Young Life takes seriously the work of screening, selecting, training and supervising staff and volunteers. We hold those in positions of trust and influence in the lives of participants in our programs to the highest standards of personal conduct. We also take great care to provide training, resources and oversight to ensure that program activities – ranging from weekly gatherings during the school year to summer camping – are safe, positive experiences for all participants. Young Life has developed missionwide policies and procedures to ensure that kids are protected when they are with Young Life staff and/or leaders as well as when kids are part of Young Life-sponsored activities. All Young Life staff and volunteer leaders go through a careful screening process that consists of an application, interview(s) and character references. Criminal background checks are completed on all staff and volunteers. All staff and volunteer leaders agree to support the Statement of Faith and Mission Purpose Statement and agree to abide by Young Life's Faith and Conduct Policies. If you have questions about the practices and policies behind Young Life’s commitment to ensure the best possible experience for every kid, please contact us. Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance At a time when bullying among middle school, high school and college students is a growing concern among parents and educators, Young Life seeks to have a positive impact in the communities of which we are a part. Young Life leaders model acceptance and love for all kids, and we encourage students involved in our programs to do the same. The vast majority of youth suicides could be prevented if more young people developed trusting relationships with adults and sought help for themselves or for their suicidal friends. I have been a supporter of Young Life for more than thirty years and have seen the preventative benefits of the positive relationships that are formed between students and Young Life leaders. A very key element to youth suicide prevention is having a sense of belonging and Young Life provides that! Dr. Scott Poland, Licensed Psychologist & Suicide Prevention Expert When Kids Need Help As Young Life leaders enter the world of kids, they witness firsthand the reality of adolescent struggles. Young Life leaders support kids who struggle with risky behaviors, depression, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, and even death by suicide. We take our work in caring for kids’ wellbeing through their struggles seriously. Our staff and volunteers receive training in the signs and symptoms associated with child abuse, teen suicide, self-harm, and other crisis situations. Staff and volunteers receive training related to appropriate crisis intervention steps. Additionally, there is training in the support they can offer to families under these stressful circumstances. More specifically: Young Life is a mission devoted to introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith. YOUNG LIFE SITES younglife.org staff.younglife.org younglifestore.com giving.younglife.org camp websites RESOURCES Staff and Volunteers Foundation For the Press ADDITIONAL LINKS Job Opportunities Privacy Policy Contact © 2004-2021 Young Life. All rights reserved