Built on the belief that the hope of children and youth living high-risk communities can be restored and their potential be released in Jesus' name through focused partnerships with local church and community organizations, YouthPartnersNET [YPN] launched its nationwide ministries July 1, 2003. With over 30 years of life-changing ministry as Compassion International's USA Ministry, YPN continues to partner with hundreds of local and regional organizations strategically targeting the development of three key areas: Networking, Education and Training.
YouthPartnersNET FAQ
- Q: How are my contributions used?
- A: The support you send toYouthPartnersNET is invested in various programs and ministries.YPN looks for the most effective opportunities to help disadvantaged children and youth in cities, in rural areas, and on Native American reservations. Funds are distributed according to greatest need.
Your support pays for the following:
- Training:
We help Christian adults gain the knowledge and skills to develop holistic programs, raise funds, and work directly with young people at risk in their communities.
Learn more about our training strategies.
- Education:
Youth and child workers have access to educational and informational opportunities relating to the needs and nurture of young people. Resources include conferences, workshops, educational materials, and inspirational speakers, all presented from a biblical perspective.
Learn more about education and recreation stragtegies.
- Networking:
We help develop networks that enable workers to learn from each other, encourage and pray for one another, and work together more effectively, sharing successes and local resources.
Learn more on our networking straegies.
- Vision Casting:
We speak up for children of poverty in the USA, building awareness of their special needs. We also challenge leaders and churches to enhance their vision for ministry to these children.
- Grants:
We provide financial resources for specific projects or programs. For example, grants from YPN allowed the Amazing Grace Bible and Guitar Study to expand its program to Native American young people in New Mexico and Arizona. These funds also aided in the purchase of Bibles and guitars for youth in the program. Please see the included story to find out more about this inspiring program.
- Q: How does YPN's ministry help children and youth?
- A: Children and youth living at risk often come to believe that their lives have no value, no hope, and no future. Faith-based programs in their neighborhoods provide safe havens where young people can interact with Christian adults, feel loved, and receive a wide range of opportunities for personal growth and development. Such programs and activities also offer a place for children to go after school or on weekends, where they can play, study, learn about God, develop confidence, and prepare for life.
- YPN partners with these local faith-based ministries working on the front lines in their communities. Together, we look for many different kinds of opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of ministering to children and youth. This might mean developing a sponsored event for young people, such as an athletic camp or retreat. It may also come in the form of facilitating conferences and offering educational materials for youth workers. Or it may involve providing items like Bibles, musical instruments, or sports equipment. And at all times, our principal goal is to introduce these young people to the transforming power of God's love.
- Q: Can I be personally connected to an individual project?
- A: If you are interested in volunteering for a faith-based ministry in your area, the answer is yes! Please call 800.334.KIDS to receive information about how to get involved in your part of the country. Please be aware, however, that YPN's partners are no longer financially connected to specific children or projects. Rather than providing grants on a long-term basis to a few church-based partners as we did in the past, YPN ministers with a broader network of Christian churches, organizations, and individuals, providing help according to greatest need.
- With its effective history as Compassion USA, YPN has a proven, holistic approach to child development. With more than 12 million American children affected by poverty, we believe that God wants us to share what we have learned through the years with as many people as possible.
- Q: Can I specifically designate my gift to help Native American, urban or rural children?
- A: If you would like to give a gift to a specific area, it is possible to designate that gift to the Native American Fund, the Urban Fund, or the General Fund, which provides assistance in rural areas. However, these designated funds are separate from the monthly Childshare partnership. Childshare funds are distributed among the three areas according to greatest need. They cannot be designated to a particular region.
- Q: Can I visit a YPN partner ministry?
- A: Yes. Please call 800.334.KIDS for information about how to set up a personal visit to a ministry in YPN's network.
If you have further questions about YPN's work in a specific area, call (800) 334-KIDS to be put in contact with the regional representative best qualified to answer your questions.
For more information, please contact YouthPartnersNET via email or call 1.800.334.KIDS.
