Get to Know the YAMM Fellows

Katelyn Dino, 22 
Roswell, Georgia

Client Coordinator at Florida Justice for our Neighbors (JFON)
- Safety Harbor, FL

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
​In the short time I have been with YAMM, I have been given the opportunity to experience new things and room to grow.  

How has it been serving at your placement site? 
My placement site is newer, and it has been an amazing time with JFON through learning and being able to assist in the lives of migrants. 

What does the ability to serve through YAMM mean to you? 
Serving in YAMM has a brought a new perspective in my life. People gathering from all different areas with one common goal has reminded me of humanity that we struggle to see in everyday life. YAMM is a new home that gives all participants a chance to break barriers and provide justice in the world. 

Diamond Johnson, 22
Cleveland, Ohio  

Ministry Assistant at Ebenezer United Methodist Church - Miami, FL   

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
My experience in the YAMM program so far has been filled with building connections with people at my work site and learning things about the Miami community I serve. 

Why did you apply to serve with YAMM and live in intentional Christian Community? 
I applied to serve with YAMM because I wanted to be able to do good in a community, I would be able to serve in while also having the opportunity to deepen my faith in a community of people who also want to do the same. 
 
How has it been serving at your placement site? 
Serving at my placement site has been a great opportunity that is teaching me leadership, responsibility, and accountability.  

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community? 
​In intentionally community, I have learned new ways to connect with others and be more open to different views held by others. ​

Franco Ramirez, 30
Alta Garcia, Argentina

Audio Media Specialist at ​First United Methodist Church of Kissimmee - 
Kissimmee, FL 

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
This is my second year serving in the YAMM program and my life has completely changed. For the first time in my life, I feel I'm doing what I love to do. 

Why did you apply to serve with YAMM and live in intentional community? 
I applied to serve with YAMM because I realized my purpose in life is to serve and the program offered me this amazing opportunity in a country and community where I can learn and grow. 

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
It has been challenging and ever-changing, so I had to adapt as quickly as possible. It's made me grow tremendously.  

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community? 
​I've learned that everyone has problems and we are all going through something. But I can help them in some way which can mean everything. That’s what life is about.  ​

Theresa Frost, 25
Texas

Director of Engagement and Community at Allendale United Methodist Church –
​St.Petersburg, FL 

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
YAMM has been an interesting experience. I have been challenged and supported.  

Why did you apply to serve with YAMM and live in an international Christian Community? 
God placed me in Florida after applying to be Global Missions Fellows (GMF). I applied to help in my discernment for the next steps in life after I graduated from college. 

How was it been serving at your placement site? 
I have loved my time at Allendale UMC. My site has cultivated a space for me to grow and learn. Working at Allendale helped me heal from my experience with toxic Christianity and gave me a place to experience liberation through the lens of my faith.   
 
What does the ability to serve through YAMM mean to you? 
​Serving in this program has shown me how strong and resilient I am. It has changed me and helped me grow and I will always be grateful. 

Tony Elkins, 25
Pine Bluff, Arkansas

Teen Coordinator at Metropolitan Ministries - Tampa, FL 

What do you do at your placement site? I am a teen youth coordinator. I work with the teens to help them develop different life skills. 

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
My experience with the YAMM program has been great because it gives me a chance to teach kids skills in this world that can be unjust sometimes. 

Why did you apply to serve with YAMM and live in intentional Christian Community? 
I applied for this program because God called me to serve for justice and help people in any way I can. 

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community? 
I have learned that there are people like me that want to serve God but there are many different ways to do so. 
​
What does the ability to serve through YAMM mean to you? 
​Serving in YAMM means hope for me. It means that there are other people out there that want to make the world a better place. 

Abigail Reeth, 22
Minneapolis, Minnesota

After School Coordinator at Metropolitan Ministries - Tampa, FL

What do you do at your placement site? 
I work in the CREATE therapeutic after school program. I teach art classes to children to help them improve self awareness, reduce stress and anxiety, boost self esteem and allow them to improve their communication skills.   

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
My work through YAMM is challenging but rewarding. I appreciate the support and connections I receive through YAMM. I love the children I work with each day at Metropolitan Ministries. They challenge me but also bring me so much joy and laughter. My coworkers and supervisors encourage me to grow and be open to new opportunities and challenges. 

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community? 
In intentional community, I learn to appreciate small moments—grocery shopping and cooking with housemates, late night conversations in the kitchen, volunteering and adventuring together throughout Tampa Bay.  

What does the ability to serve through YAMM mean to you? 
​Serving through YAMM means being aware of the people and places around me and how I can learn from and work alongside my community. It means being on the lookout for Jesus in my community because God is right here.  

Emily Autry, 24
Fort Smith, Arkansas

Coordinator of the Fill the Table Initiative with the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church – Miami, FL 

What do you do at your placement site? 
At my placement site, I come alongside churches in the Florida Conference who are doing feeding ministries or who have experienced a call to start a feeding ministry to help encourage, inspire, resource and highlight them in their ministries! I help collect their data to report to the Conference. I also run the social media pages, visit churches, and occasionally speak at churches about the work and impact of Fill the Table in Florida. 

Why did you apply to serve with YAMM and live in international Christian Community? 
I applied to Global Mission Fellows, which YAMM is an affiliate site of. I wanted to take time to discern my calling to ministry and get real world experience. However, I was so excited to live in intentional community with YAMM and learn to grow in our faith as a community.  
 
What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community?  I have learned how important it is to have good communication with others. I’ve also learned how to cook and have fun cooking with others!  ​

What does the ability to serve through YAMM mean to you? Serving through YAMM means finding my directions, purpose, and passions in life, and how to do that while also serving God and my neighbor! 

Joeven Masedieu, 29
Miami, Florida

Youth Leader at Metropolitan Ministries - Tampa, FL 

What do you do at your placement site? 
I provide support to teenagers in the after-school program. I am a mentor and teach life skills classes. I am also an artist and I teach mindfulness-based art therapy.  ​
 
Why did you apply to serve with YAMM and live in intentional Christian Community? 
I found out about YAMM when I was in search of opportunities to be more involved in my faith, as well as walking out that faith of using my time to help and service those in need. 
 
How has it been serving at your placement site? 
Serving as a Youth Leader at Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, Florida has been nothing short of life-changing. This opportunity has changed me mentally and has made me a better person and advocate. I’ve witnessed and come face-to-face with certain inequalities in our community and served individuals who are most affected by those constructs.  My time as a YAMM Intern has given me the skills to speak and stand up for my community members.   
 
What does the ability to serve through YAMM mean to you? 
​Serving through YAMM means an avenue in my life where I'm not only placed in a position to keep the faith, but also share it in action.   

Maddie Russo, 25
Shreveport, Louisiana

Director of Evangelism and Community Engagement at Pasadena Community Church – St. Petersburg, Florida  

What do you do at your placement site? 
I am the Director of Evangelism and Community Engagement, which means that I work alongside our current ministries as well as attending events happening inside and outside of the church walls. My job is to bridge the gap between the church and the community.  
 
How has it been serving at your placement site? 
Serving at my placement site has been so wonderful. The staff and congregation have welcomed me with open arms and hearts. I have been able to jump in and help ministries and leaders who are already doing the Lord’s works in our church and community. It has been incredible to see the heart, awareness, and vision of this congregation, which urgently makes me want to help them achieve these as much as I can in the next two years.   
 
What does the ability to serve through YAMM means to you? 
To me, it means the opportunity of a lifetime. Serving with and through YAMM provides me an opportunity to really engage in my local community and help amplify the love, light, peace, and justice of Christ. As someone once put it: “To build longer tables, not taller fences.” 

Shiree Fetterly, 23
Port Huron, Michigan

Family & Community Ministry Assistant at Seminole Heights United Methodist Church - Tampa, FL  

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far?  
My experience with serving with the YAMM program during a global pandemic has been filled with a lot of ups and downs. There's been a lot of changes, but one thing that is consistent is my newfound family, my housemates and cohort. I am so grateful for them. They keep me grounded.  

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community?
I have learned that intentional community is not something you force or even stress out about. It's the everyday things we do in life for the people we live with and we care for. Living in community means being intentional about the small things like helping wash dishes, doing yard work, and having a meal together. It’s about going to serve with your housemates and lending a helping hand when they need it; it’s simply checking in.  

What does the ability to serve through YAMM means to you? 
​I think serving in general means to me that I get the chance to touch another's heart. Serving during COVID has been super hard, but I am learning to serve in creative ways such as via ZOOM or having  socially distanced events.  I still can impact those around me, just by simply sharing my story and helping in any way I can. I believe God has a plan for me and at the end of the day that's what I hold onto. 

Hannah Newton, 24
Hawesville, Kentucky

Client Coordinator at Florida Justice for Our Neighbors -
​St. Petersburg, Florida  

What do you do at your placement site? 
I am a client coordinator, so I manage relations with clients seeking naturalization to be a U.S. Citizen, keep track and manage their documents, and make sure the attorney has everything she needs in order to submit applications as quickly and efficiently as possible.  

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
My experience so far has been one of growth and learning. I have been challenged to step out of my comfort zone and step into collective kingdom work.  

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community? 
​I’ve learned that sharing meals with my housemates has become one of my favorite things. Also, that having housemates that love and support one another is so important to my personal growth as well as for collective flourishing.  

What does the ability to serve through YAMM means to you? For me, serving through YAMM means opening myself up to new opportunities, immersing myself in the community and fighting for justice from the example of the strong, wise community leaders already in our midst. 

Andrew Fleming, 25
Arkansas

Spiritual Formation Team Member at Metropolitan Ministries -
​Safety Harbor, FL 

What do you do at your placement site? 
I work on the Spiritual Formation team offering spiritual care to clients and staff. 

What is your experience in the YAMM program so far? 
So far in YAMM I have enjoyed connecting with the fellows and with clients at my placement site.  

How has it been serving at your placement site? 
I have met some very good people as coworkers and clients, and value those relationships greatly.  

What are some things you’ve learned in intentional community? 
I have learned that living in intentional community can often be very difficult because people don’t always get along and don’t always share much in common, but at the end of the day, it is extremely rewarding because we are able to grow. We realize that we are all here to love God and serve our neighbors.  
​
What does the ability to serve through YAMM means to you? 
​Serving through YAMM for me means an opportunity to connect with other young adults who are committed to serving and living in community with those who may be most in need.