General Information
What is the Young Adult Missional Movement Program and who can apply?
The Young Adult Missional Movement is a program for young adults ages 18-30 who are interested in exploring their faith in new ways by living and serving in communities around the State of Florida. Applicants must have a desire to serve in community-based organizations, churches, and live in intentional community. Applicants also must be mature and possess the willingness to grow, be a humble learner, and the ability to be authentic.
Do I need to be a part of a church to apply?
No. All young adults ages 18-30 are welcome to apply.
Do I need a college degree to apply?
No.
How many YAMM Interns are there each year?
The number of young adults who serve with YAMM varies from year to year.
Can I select my placement site and city where I want to serve?
No.
What do I get out of the Young Adult Missional Movement Program?
You get an amazing opportunity to grow. You will live in intentional community and have relationship with people from a different culture. Many young adults use their time of service for career exploration and the spiritual reflection process for continued lay and ordained ministry in the church. YAMM also provides a foundation for ongoing work in development-related fields, opportunities to learn and grow as a young professional.
Intentional Community Living
What is an intentional community?
Intentional community is a planned residential community designed from the start to have a high degree of social cohesion and teamwork. The members of an intentional community typically hold a common social, political, or spiritual vision and often follow an alternative lifestyle. In YAMM, for the most part, we are United Methodist Christians that intentionally choose to live simply, work together, share meals, and be in fellowship together as we serve and work toward justice.
How many people live in YAMM intentional communities together?
The number of people in each house depends on the number of bedrooms in the house. Each fellow is guaranteed to have their own room in the house.
What are the benefits of living in an intentional community especially while being in service?
There are so many benefits of living in an intentional community during service. When a fellow truly puts themselves into learning and growing in their new community with their housemates they experience the beloved community, friendship, support, love, and care. Living in intentional community is also very hard. You will learn how to navigate conflict in healthy ways. It’s not just about having roommates, it challenges fellows to look beyond themselves, which is where real growth happens.
What responsibilities will I have while living in intentional community?
Living in an intentional community requires housemates to create a house covenant, serve each other and their surrounding community. Fellows living in intentional community grocery shop together, cook and eat together, share with each other, clean, take care of their space, take time to rest, learn how to create boundaries for safety and open and vulnerable conversation within the house.
Application, Interview & Orientation
When are applications due?
The initial application deadline is April 15, 2021. However, YAMM will accepts applications on a rolling basis. The application remains open until all placement sites are full, which could be as late as July.
What does the interview process include?
Once you’ve applied using the application found here. YAMM will reach out to you for the first round interview over the phone. The second round and final interview will be via Zoom with the recruitment committee.
What does the orientation entail?
The one-week orientation is a mandatory part of the YAMM program. During the orientation, candidates will prepare for cross-cultural life and work. Topics of discussion include, but are not limited to, guidelines and expectations for: living in an intentional community with others, young adults service, the history of YAMM, program-specific information, cross-cultural communication, and security, health, and wellness.
Placement Sites
How are YAMM placements arranged, and may I request a specific placement?
We make placements based upon the skills, gifts, and interests of the young adult and the desires of our partners.
What kinds of work do YAMM fellows do?
The young adults and placement site partners on mission together care deeply about women’s rights, youth and children programs, housing and homelessness, LGBTQ rights, economic justice, education equity, racial justice, immigration reform, mental health, food justice, voters’ rights, healthcare reform, community organizing, creative ways to put faith into action, and leading a faith community. Each placement site work varies, but most of the placements are direct service, administration, communications, community development, ministry, social services, family, youth, and children services.
Finances, Fundraising & Health Insurance
What costs associated with being a YAMM fellow does YAMM cover?
YAMM and your placement site covers the cost of housing and utilities, food stipend, transportation, continued support and education retreats, orientation retreat, health insurance, and a monthly stipend during the year of service.
- Joint grocery budget – Household expenses are shared among team members. Planning, shopping, cooking and meals will be shared together as much as possible. Grocery allowance is $150 per person on team per month.
- Health insurance if not already covered otherwise. This is an ACA compliant plan available for young adult participants in this program.
- YAMM Fellows are allowed two weeks off / vacation. If your organization is a church, they are allowed to miss only three Sundays.
- Personal stipend is $330 per month for personal spending before taxes and deductions. This is paid bi-weekly by the Florida Conference of the UMC payroll system.
- Retreats: Three to four retreats over the year with all the other interns.
- Loan deferment potential – depends upon education loan type.
- Vocational discernment and career launching potential.
I have student loans. What do I do with them while I am a YAMM fellow?
It is possible to defer your student loans during your year of service. We will provide you with the paperwork.
Do I get health insurance?
Yes.
