YEAH is Youth Emergency Assistance Housing, a ministry to homeless young people in Berkeley, California.  TAY is Transitional Age Youth, that is the population that makes up the clientele at YEAH.  They are young people ages 18 – 25. In America, when we say, “youth,” I think most people think ages 12 – 18, but truth be told youth does extend into the 20′s and beyond.  But aside from nit picking semantics on demographic groups, what a sobering reality that there is considerable population of young people who are homeless.  Many of these young people are aged out of the Foster Care system in California.  So many turn to the streets.

Our youth group spent the morning learning about YEAH, and then cleaning mattresses, storage bins, closets, and the kitchen.  We degreased, organized, and sanitized.  It felt good to be a part of such an important ministry.  We met Michelle who has been a volunteer staff person and will soon be hired on as an employee.  She shared with us her passion and committment to serving and working for justice.

As I think about youth theology, I cannot help to think about the young people who stay at YEAH.  Who is listening to and inviting the voices of young homeless people into theological conversations?  I am thankful to people like Michelle who value the experience of young people and take the time to care and provide a place that is safe for them.  I hope that we the church will also make space available to young people, to affirm their experience and voice, and to challenge one another to grow in faith together.