YouthWorks Blog

This is the story of one of YouthWorks’ summer staff alumni, Danielle. When I originally applied to work for Youthworks, I had no intention of living in the community where I was placed for more than a summer. I was a 19-year-old from the suburbs of Minneapolis and a sophomore at a little private college full […]

With a population of about 17,000 people, Rutland is the third largest city in Vermont. Rutland residents are proud of their state and have led the way in helping maintain thriving elements of their community, which have become incredibly difficult for most small urban cities in America. How We Support Rutland’s Local Leaders Since 2007, […]

The Quad Cities are made up of the four cities directly connected by the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa—Davenport, Bettendorf, Moline, and Rock Island. Each of the four cities are a unique mix of urban cultures, combining the influx of diversity that comes from urban settings with the pace of the Midwest. How We […]

Duluth, MN is a small urban community along the North Shore of Lake Superior. As a major port city, Duluth’s history has been tied to the shipment of coal, iron ore, and grain all over the world. Its local industry brought a wave of immigrants to the area looking to establish themselves among the working […]

Situated along the Mississippi, Columbia is a town rich in history and culture. The town was established in the early 19th century and in grew into a booming political hub, even becoming the temporary home of the state’s capital. Industry also thrived during the same season because of its location on the river. Through civil […]

While Beckley is comparatively a small town in the US, in many ways it’s considered the economic, academic, and cultural hub of West Virginia’s southern counties. How We Support Beckley’s Local Leaders Our first invitation to the Beckley area came from local leaders in 2010. This year, we’ve been invited back to help support local […]

Lynn is a beautiful anomaly—completely unlike its North Shore counterparts socioeconomically and ethnically. The community is rich in diversity, with over 70 languages and nationalities represented in the small community. There is incredible value in the multiculturalism Lynn represents, with the melding of New England wealth and first or second generation immigrants presenting truly unique […]

You may or may not have really paid attention to the flight attendant’s safety instructions last time you flew on a plane. If you did pay attention, do you remember the most counter-intuitive instruction they gave? It’s about that oxygen mask that will drop down from the ceiling in an emergency. If you’re flying with […]

Your students will have unforgettable experiences on your mission trip. Here are some really helpful ways you can capture their stories and use them to encourage others in your church. 

My trouble in the kitchen is that I sometimes burn things. I take the time to buy the ingredients, prep the food, season everything just right… and then, in the end, I get distracted. I move on to the next thing just before this thing is over! And the end product isn’t as good as […]