Meet the Youth Office
The Youth Office, or YO for short, is part of the Lifespan Faith Development staff group at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in Boston, MA. Aside from arguing who gets to ride shotgun in rental cars and having dance parties in the hall, we serve all of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) and Unitarian Universalist Youth Programming.Meet Beth
Dana!
Greetings, Synapse readers! My name is Beth Dana, and I am one of
the Youth Ministry Associates (“YMA”). I’m in the middle of a two year position
at the Youth Office, where I’m focusing on an exciting revisioning and
youth-ministry-deepening process called the Consultation on Ministry To and With
Youth. I also work on Synapse, resource development, and
anti-racism/anti-oppression work.
A bit about myself—I’m 22, a lifelong UU, and a former YRUUer from the St. Lawrence District (Albany, NY). I’m taking time off from school in NYC, where I’m studying urban studies and religion. Just like the rest of the Youth Office, I’m here to serve YOU. Please give us a call or send us an email if you have questions or need youth programs support. We’re friendly people!
Meet Jesse Jaeger!
Hi
All, I am Jesse Jaeger, the Youth Programs Director at the UUA. That means I get
to work with all the Youth Ministry Associates as they provide services to your
youth programs. Besides supporting them with their work I also support the Our
Whole Lives sexuality education curriculum, keep an eye on UU Scouting issues,
manage the Youth Offices budget, and advocate for Youth Programs through out the
Association. I spend a lot of time helping youth and adults who work with youth
figure out what they can do in their congregation. For the past two years I have
also been spending a fair amount of time working on the Consultation on Ministry
to and with Youth. More is being said about that in this edition of Synapse so
if you do not know what I am talking about you should check out the articles
about it. It is a really important that as many people take part as
possible.
When I am not working I am hanging out at my house in Lynn Massachusetts (home of the first Unitarian Youth Group ever). My wife Natalie and I have been married for five years and we have a 3 year old son named Lorn. We like going to the ocean, working in our garden and fixing up our really old house. Hopefully I will have a chance to meet you at your congregation, district, or possibly at some continental event. I look forward to seeing you.
Meet Jason Lydon!
Hey
all, my name’s Jason. Some of you may know me from the last time I worked in the
Youth Office. Well, I’m pulling a Paula Nett and have come back to help out with
General Assembly. I have the great privilege of working with two FANTASTIC
HUUPERs and a wonderful Youth Caucus staff to get us ready for General Assembly
in Portland, Oregon. If you’re thinking of coming, this is the year to do it.
The fun will be endless, the social action will be endless, the affirmation of
our commitment to justice will be joyous! In terms of me, when I’m not in the
Youth Office I am running around Boston as the Congregational Director of the
Community Church of Boston. I also work with queer people in prison and try to
abolish the entire prison industrial complex as we know it. I also like to swim,
ride my bike, and go dancing as often as possible.
Meet Jodi Slezak!
I'm
Jodi Slezak, the Chrysalis Consultant for the Youth Office. I'm originally from
West Orange, NJ, home to the Metro-NY district. I am currently studying
journalism at Boston University and working in the YO part-time.
I enjoy brisk spring days, traveling to third world countries, coffee, writing articles, experiencing adventurous predicaments, playing ultimate Frisbee, and working with UU youth.
I am a part-time Youth Office staff member working primarily with Chrysalis Trainings. This means I will be in the office every Wednesday from 9am-5pm, but am available by email the rest of the week.
The Chrysalis trainings include: Leadership Development Conference, Spirituality Development Conference, Basic Advisor Training, Advanced Advisor Training, Chaplain Training, and Groundwork Training (previously called Anti-Racism Analysis Development Conferences.) These trainings are often weekend events held in various UU districts, upon their request and are for youth and adults.
For more information on these trainings, and how to hold one in your district, check out the YRUU website.
Happy Reading!
Meet Laura Manning!
Hi
ya'll! I am one of the new Youth Ministry Associates in the Youth Office. I am a
19 year old queer white womyn from New Orleans. For fun I like to dance, swim,
spend time outside when it's pretty, read, and listen to good music. My focuses
in the youth office are supporting the YRUU Steering Committee and other leaders
in YRUU, planning the Youth Social Justice Training (YSJT), and Youth Council.
Meet Rek Kwawer!
Hi, I'm
Rek Kwawer, your Youth Office Assistant. I handle many of the day-to-day
administrative tasks at the Youth Office. I answer the phones, and the
yruu@uua.org email address, help register people for events, handle the details
of the Youth Office finances, and work with the wonderful Youth Office
Volunteers! When I'm not at the Youth Office, I enjoy cooking vegan food, going
to bed early, and taking classes in improvisational dance and
Spanish.
The Youth Office would love to hear from you!!!
For more information contact youth @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
