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LIVES

IMPACT REPORT 2025 YOUNG

LETTERFROMTHE VICEPRESIDENT

AROUNDTHE WORLD BYTHE NUMBERS GROWINGIN

10 WHY YOUNGLIVES? MISSION,VISION, PURPOSE

LETTER FROMTHE VICEPRESIDENT

KARIL CONNOR

Dear friends of YoungLives,

I am truly grateful for the many ways you come alongside of this ministry with compassion, generosity and prayer

This past year has been marked by intentional learning. We leaned into curiosity asking important questions, listening deeply to staff and participants, and exploring new ways to strengthen our ministry Through this process, we sought not only to evaluate our efforts but to also align ourselves in a way that expands our reach and impact with teen parents

As a result of listening to the needs of local communities and staff, we launched year-round Think Tanks offering connection and resources for mentors and staff serving adolescent fathers

The Relate Project and our new friend Nicole Lynn Lewis author of Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families helped to broaden perspectives and equip us with subject matter expertise that support our efforts in creating spaces of belonging for over 34,000 Gen Z teens and adolescent parents

The exponential growth of international ministry shed light on the need for easily accessible and relevant tools for discipleship, mentoring and outreach Our central guidebook was relaunched in the Spring in a new delivery format to support a growing team of volunteers walking with young parents every day around the world.

The wisdom of Proverbs 19:20–21 encourages us to “listen to counsel” and we are grateful for the counsel that God provided this year

We trust that as we continue to listen, reflect, and adapt, God will deepen the impact of this ministry and extend its reach. Thank you for being an integral part of this journey!

Sincerely,

YoungLives Vice President

WHY YOUNGLIVES?

YoungLives, founded in 1991, exists for expectant and parenting adolescents to grow in faith, grow in life, and grow in leadership.

We believe God is raising up thousands ofteen parents who will shape theirfamilies and communities with courage, love, and vision. Our role is to walkwith them, to knowJesus and to knowteen parents, so thattogether we make him known around the world.

With God’s help we will: KnowJesus. KnowTeen Parents. Make Him Known...Together.

YoungLives is present in 33 countries and counting, walking alongside teen parents with a globally adaptable model grounded in three priorities: proactive relationships, practical support, and purposeful hope

OUR PURPOSE

Teen parents are often navigating some of the biggest questions in life, identity, belonging, faith, and future, all while caring for a child At YoungLives, we step into that story not with easy answers, but with presence

As a division of Young Life, YoungLives introduces parenting adolescents to Jesus Christ and helps them grow in their faith. We believe every young person deserves the right to hear the good news of God’s love.

WEDOTHISBY:

Going where they are and building personal, trusting relationships

Providing fun, adventurous, life-changing experiences

Partnering with like-minded adults, volunteers, mentors, donors, and staff to create a community of support

WHATWE KNOWABOUT ADOLESCENT PARENTS

•Adolescentpregnancyiscloselylinkedto poverty,lackofeducation,andsystemicinequality

•Onlyabouthalfofteenparentscompletethe highestlevelofsecondaryeducationavailablein theircountry,whetherthat’sahighschool diploma,vocationalcertificate,orregional equivalent

•Adolescentmothersoftenraisechildrenwithout long-termsupportfromthechild’sfather,andin mostcontexts,fewprogramsexisttoengageor empoweradolescentfathers

BYTHE NUMBERS

Africa East

Africa West

Africa South Asia/Pacific

Eastern U.S.

Europe

Latin America/Caribbean

Middle EurAsia

Midwest U.S.

Northwest U.S.

Southeast U.S.

Southwest U.S.

South Central U.S.

6 YEARS OF MINISTRY

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS RISE THRIVE ELEVATE DADS THINK TANK DIVISIONAL CONFERENCES MINISTRY

ESSENTIALS TOOLKITS

MINISTRIES SERVING TEEN DADS

32 ALUMNI DISCIPLESHIP GROUPS RISE

63 TEEN PARENTS KNOWN BY NAME

34,000

GROWING INFAITH

I had the joy of being camp speaker this year at Washington Family Ranch Creekside There was one girl in particular who caught my attention throughout the week She was the first mom from our Alaska group that disembarked the bus On the way to camp, the air conditioning on the vehicle stopped working, and as she came down the bus stairs she looked exhausted and defeated. She sped past the welcoming staff all dressed up like funny characters, without engaging, and sat in the shade of a tree near me I gently asked how she was doing, but after stating that she was hot she would not say another word to me

Later in the week, when I saw her again, I checked in to see if she was okay She nodded but still didn’t speak Her leader later informed me that she is from a very remote village and is fairly non-verbal unless she knows you well. After the all camp activity that included running around and throwing powdered paint on each

BY CASSIE COATS

other, I asked her if she had fun and she smiled (first smile I had seen that from her!) and nodded Every interaction seemed like a thawing from within, a softening of something that had been hardened.

At the end of the week, anyone who had decided to follow Jesus would be invited to what we call the “New Believers Walk” She showed up with a few dozen other moms who had made a decision to follow Christ When I spotted her, she shared with me how good it had been to be at camp and how glad she was that she came. “Good!” “Glad!” What encouraging words! A few hours later, when given the chance to stand up in front of the whole camp to share about her life-changing decision to follow Jesus, she stood up! It was so beautiful to see God move in her life throughout the week and to witness the transformation that happened as she opened her heart to the God who adores her

YoungLives Impact Report

GROWING INLIFE

BY CATHERINE ODONGO

YoungLives mentors are often present as young moms and dads wrestle with major life trauma and painful moments of growth These mentors also getthe privilege of a front row view to transformative healing and grace the Lord brings in these difficult moments

In the Eastern part of Africa, a young mother showed up to camp quiet and withdrawn. Her name is Alice and at17 years old, she navigated parenthood and questions about her purpose in life

Like many of the thousands of teen parents YoungLives serves in African countries, she dropped out of school after giving birth to her son Alice felt like she had lost her worth and hope for a future

That was until Alice met a warm, joyful leader named Fredah who welcomed her with open arms. For the first time, she felt like she wasn't being judged. Fredah prayed for Alice and reminded her that God wasn't done with her story She pointed her to her true identity in Christ and Alice began to believe it

Alice decided to pursue her dream to return to school With the help from her mentor, she did and succeeded! She is now one of the Young Life Developing Global Leader students and volunteers at YoungLives events. She now is inspiring hope in teen parents by sharing her testimony.

Each year, over 770,000 girls under the age of 15 give birth in developing regions around the world. Adolescent parents often face steep barriers, poverty, interrupted education, social stigma, and lack of access to healthcare and support.

BY APRIL JACKSON

GROWINGIN LEADERSHIP

I was standing in the middle of camp somewhere between giving directions and checking in with staff when a young mom I didn’t yet know walked up to me with striking confidence and boldness in her eyes Her name was Zharia, and with no hesitation she asked, “How do I become like you? How do I go from where I am now to being the woman in charge?”

The question stopped me in mytracks.

She wasn’t asking out of flattery, she was asking out of vision Something in her saw herself in me, and more importantly, saw something God could grow in hertoo

I stumbled a little at first Then, I gathered my thoughts and told her the truth: It’s about being faithful in the small things. It’s about showing up, honoring the little jobs, loving the people right in front of you. That’s how God shaped me. That’s how I grew into this role as a camp director, as the YoungLives Southeast Divisional Coordinator, as an Associate Regional Director, a leader, a voice in this ministry

Ilookedherintheeyesandsaid,“Thiscouldbeyou"

We talked about RISE, the YoungLives discipleship program for young moms hungry for more. I told her I wanted to see her back at camp next summer not just as a camper, but as a RISE participant doing a discipleship experience I told her about Next Gen, a pathway into full-time ministry for women like her who are willing but may need a financial bridge to say yes And as she listened, I saw hope and purpose beginning to take root

As I walked away, one thought echoed in my heart: This is why I keep inviting people to join my support team

When Zharia asked how to become like me, what she was really asking was, “Can I grow into the woman God made me to be?” And my answer is still yes.

Yes, Zharia. This could and should be you.

FROMPARTICIPANTTOLEADER...

BYANNELIEUWIMANA

AsaonceguardedparticipantinYoungLivesScotland, Georgiaopeneduptohermentors,eventually acceptingJesusandreadyforthenextstepinher leadershipjourney.

InScotland,asmothersreachtheageof24,they graduatefromYoungLivesandareeligibletobecome 'PeerMentors'or'ChildcareVolunteers'This opportunitywasperfectforGeorgiaasapartofher discipleshipjourney,withacommitmenttoserveand engageineitheradiscipleshipgrouporlocalchurch activities.Georgiabecametheexampleofan extraordinaryPeerMentorandthrivedinhernewrole

Hergrowthandgratitudeshine,"Thankyouforhelping mefindawaytoaskGodforhelpformyself,itmeansa lot-whowouldhavethought!!Hopefully,IseeGod today,butIamgettingtoseehowHeworks Thanks forshowingme!"

TELLING THESTORY OF35YEARS

FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES

YoungLives has been writing a transformative story one name, one conversation, one life at a time.

The essence of that first chapter began long before the official name of YoungLives was spoken Young Life has always been about reaching every kid In those early years, many people courageously pursued teenagers who had babies, and their efforts would take shape into what we now call YoungLives 35 years ago. Over time, those early individual stories became a powerful movement woven together by dedicated mentors, volunteers, supporters, and teen parents who took a brave step into community

FROM ONE TO 34,000 TEEN PARENTS

YoungLives has grown because people have chosen to step into the lives of others, not with answers, but with authentic presence. And when presence meets purpose, profound transformation begins.

As we celebrate this historic 35-year milestone in 2026, we don’t just count stories, we cherish them We remember the faces behind the numbers, the young parents who are experiencing God as they walk with their mentors, the increase in secondary graduation rates, and the movement to create spaces of belonging for the whole family around the world.

EVERY STORY HAS A NAME. EVERY STORY REVEALS GOD’S FAITHFULNESS.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

GLOBAL GROWTH AND NEW LEADERSHIP

YoungLives in Africa continues to grow as one of the most expansive expressions of the ministry globally Since its launch in 2017, we have seen the rise of growth camps, play groups, and sports ministry, all tailored to meet the unique needs of teen mothers across the continent. This incredible expansion is a testament to the commitment of our local leaders

We’re thrilled to announce the promotion of three new YoungLives Divisional Coordinators These remarkable women have each played a key role in establishing and expanding YoungLives in their respective divisions, serving faithfully as mentors, coordinators, and spiritual leaders. Their leadership will help to define the next 35 years of the YoungLives story.