All Youth
Once labeled as “America’s most diverse city,” Sacramento is still a beacon for racial and economic diversity. This diverse population creates a huge range of lifestyles within one area. This can result in families, particularly children and teens, interacting with people who might not reflect their own situations.
This diversity can pose an interesting challenge for YFC Sacramento, the local chapter of Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net), a leader in the missional ministry community in America. YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.
Safe Space
YFC Sacramento Executive Director is Ed Kaczmarek. When it comes to bridging the gap between the distinct variety of youth in Sacramento, Kaczmarek and the rest of his team work to provide safe spaces for teens of all backgrounds to find meaningful connections and learn about Christ.
“We are ministering to both the most economically resourced people in the nation as well as youth who were formerly incarcerated and in desperate need,” Kaczmarek said. “We have every kind of family represented in our ministry, from the traditional family unit to kids with no parents who are couch surfing with friends. With that kind of variety, it’s so important that we are ready to listen and support kids from every type of background.”
Shared Experiences
“A common thread for our students is that they are adaptable,” said YFC Sacramento Campus Ministries Director Amber Pexa. “We have some staff members feeding kids their last meal of the day and others going to the gym and working out with students to build relationships. Regardless of the actual physical needs of the youth, the social and emotional needs are pretty much the same across the board. Whether they are well resourced or under-privileged, they are all hurting inside.
“Our culture right now is just crazy, and kids are looking for support from healthy adults that just want to love on them.”
Kaczmarek said, “A common shared experience of the cultural changes in the last two years is how dramatically things have shifted, which forced everyone to reevaluate their priorities. In this backdrop of uncertainty and confusion, we at YFC focus on building meaningful relationships with young people and helping them get rooted in something true and unchangeable.”
