Young Adolescent Ministry Association

The Young Adolescent Ministry Association (YAMA) is a networking organization of ministers who have responsibility for faith formation with young adolescents (Middle School or Junior High age). Membership includes those in a variety of roles: Directors of Religious Educaiton (DRE), Catechists, Coordinators of Youth Ministry, Youth Ministers, Junior High Section Heads, Teachers, Pastors, Campus Ministers, Parents and others. The Association will collaborate with the Office for Faith Formation & Catechetics in developing formational opportunities through in-services, workshops and networking with others who minister to young adolescents.

Objectives:

1. Advocate for the concerns and issues of young adolescents and those who serve them to parishes, vicariates, the Archdiocese of Detroit and the broader church.

2. Expand communication among ministers to young adolescents.

3. Review and compile resource information on enhancing young adolescent ministry.

4. Develop and facilitate educational and formational opportunities for ministers to young adolescents.

Membership Information
The Association welcomes any young adolescent minister to all in-service opportunities and membership gatherings of YAMA.

Core Team
The Core Team will meet four times a year to explore, discuss, plan and implement the objectives of the Association. Core Team members agree to commit to a minimum one-year term. The composition of the Team will represent the variety of young adolescent ministers throughout the Archdiocese and will include an Associate Director of the Office for Faith Formation/Catechetics. Core Team membership will include one Youth Minister Vicariate facilitator and one DRE Advisory Council member to act as liaisons for the Association. Each spring new members will be encouraged to join.