Even though I had been in ministry for over a decade, going through the 90 degree program was an incredible experience. On one hand, it was a great refresher. In the other, it pushed a lot of new skills and perspectives I have been blessed to have used since then in other roles and ministries. I’ll be forever grateful.
The conferences are just what urban youth workers need, a time to recenter as well as a space to learn from and connect with others that understand the unique challenges. Our youth group has also used some of their curriculum for our Sunday meetings.
I recently graduated from the year-long certification course offered by UYWI, and my experience has been nothing short of transformative. The course provided invaluable insights, particularly in refining our nonprofit's Mission and Vision Statements, which has strengthened our overall direction.
Learning about strategic planning and mapping was another highlight, equipping me with practical skills to effectively guide our organization. However, the most significant aspect of my experience was the sense of community. Connecting with others who work in similar urban environments fostered a sense of belonging, making me feel like I gained a family. UYWI not only empowers individuals with knowledge but also cultivates meaningful relationships that extend beyond the classroom. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to make a real impact in their community.
The UYWI Youth Leader Certification Program was an outstanding experience that brought tremendous growth both to me personally and to our nonprofit. The relationships I built during the course expanded my community and strengthened our network of professional connections. The training inspired us to revisit and update our corporate documents, as well as refresh our strategic plan. I gained vital skills in areas such as Trauma Informed Care, building high-performance teams, and more. The content was practical and impactful, and the connections with the UYWI team and my classmates are truly invaluable. I enjoyed every moment and would love to take the entire program again.
For the past ten years I have served with Long Beach Young Life. The resources, support and training from UYWI directly impacted our leaders and students in Long Beach. Through their certification program to events like Manhood Camp, our leaders and students were given tools and resources to grow them as leaders and as followers of Jesus.
Completing the UYWI Certification Program was extremely rewarding. UYWI truly provides its cohorts with the practical tools, knowledge, and resources needed to serve young people today. UYWI's cohort leaders, facilitators, and overall structure of the program are outstanding. Through the Certification Program, leaders have an opportunity to learn and grow in community. I am honored to be a part of the UYWI family!
As Director of Long Beach Young Life youth outreach ministry, I greatly value UYWI. Two of our staff have been well equipped for ministry through completing UYWI's 90-Degree Program. The program grew them as leaders to youth as well as followers of Jesus. UYWI creates effective content and resources that are easy to access and well crafted. They are the best resource on the market for adults pouring into urban youth.
-Jenny Dickson, Long Beach Young Life
Urban Youth Workers Institute does a fantastic job resourcing urban leaders with curriculum that honors and respects the culture and experiences of youth coming from urban contexts. I am grateful for the ways they highlight leaders of color & women of color in their conferences and curriculum. Their motto, "We are for you, we are you" has been so true as they speak to the experiences of a youth and leaders on the margins of mainstream Christianity. Their ministry is a great gift to urban leaders who feel isolated and in need of connection and networks of support. The UYWI annual conference has been one of the most life-giving experiences of my leadership, and I know many other leaders have been missing this conference since they stopped in 2020. Please bring it back!! Grateful for all of the spirit-led leaders in your org who are doing good Kingdom work!
Even years after I went through UYWI’s 1-year intensive training, I am still drawing from that well of instruction and mentorship I received. The intensive, as well as the coaching and their conferences were some of the most important factors in helping me learn the nuts and bolts of ministry. I will forever be grateful to Larry Acosta, Tommy Nixon, and the rest of the UYWI team!
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I know of no other organization like UYWI, who’s having a real impact on the inner city, by gathering up and encouraging and training, all those leaders in our major cities struggling through burnout, or small budgets, or violence in the communities they serve, etc, etc.
I myself was equipped by UYWI during an especially difficult time in my ministry in Los Angeles. Through the one on one coaching, the intensive one-year training, and the yearly conferences which served as a morale booster to all those leaders who thought they were out there on their own.
I owe a tremendous debt to Larry Acosta and UYWI, and am excited to see what amazing things they will do under the leadership of Tommy Nixon in the years to come.
I was first introduced to UYWI when I graduated from college and was helping my church begin a community based after-school tutoring program. I didn't know the first thing about how to do this. UYWI invited our team to Santa Ana where they showed us what it looked like to run an after-school program ran by mostly volunteers. Since then I have begun two programs and supported leaders to do the same.
Throughout the past 25 years UYWI has been a central place for me to build peer relationships with other practitioners as well as for me to continue to learn relevant and equitable ways to continue to run after-school tutoring and mentoring programs.
UYWI intentionally keeps their ears listening to urban students and their leaders in order to create artful and engaging spiritual and emotional development, and life-skills resources.
I am one of those “watchers from afar” but have also been deeply impacted by UYWI. The work that they do to support urban youth leaders is tremendous. I’ve been able to listen to their podcasts, read their articles, and make personal connections with people within the network. The work they are doing for young people is unmerited and I highly encourage anyone who serves urban youth to get connected. Thanks for all you do!
I have been part of Youth For Christ since High School and as a volunteer as an adult.
I am now a public school teacher, former school board member and my husband and I have been in full time ministry for over 30 years.
What I hope Urban Youth Workers will do, is prepare students about the unlimited gender choices being taught now to our middle school and high school students. An interfaith state coalition created a video to help kids and their parents navigate these new waters, not only in California schools but nationwide.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1kMwj4hTmc
When Urban youth Workers start dealing with this critical subject head on, I will give them a 5 star mark.... however right now, they are not.
Back in 2015 I participated in the 12-month 90Degrees UYM Certificate program was is a great learning and development opportunity. Each session was led by a great leader who spoke to our hearts as youth leaders. Through this program I was able to connect with people who became my brothers and sisters throughout the program. 7 years later UYWI is still leading, providing great resources and opportunities for us to connect and share our stories of ministry.
UYWI is an amazing organization that is building urban kingdom leaders that are impacting communities of young people for the kingdom. Disciples making disciples.
One of the most thorough and mission centered training programs for urban youth workers in our era! From the leadership down to the volunteers, UIWY is an amazing organization.
UYWI is an amazing nonprofit. They have amazing conferences, excellent and knowledgeable teachers and presenters, great people to work with, with heart and dedication. UYWI is our source for everything to do with working with youth.
When I first heard of UYWI, I thought it was just another youth ministry marketing scheme. When I met the founder and fellow leaders, I realized this Non-Profit was mission driven - focused and bent on serving underserved ministry people. After several conferences, workshops and then partnering ours with their non-profit, I really saw how resilient this team is. Now, after moving on to another institution, my memories and lessons learned remain important as I train others for ministry.
UYWI is a great partner to local pastors and youth leaders. They provide innovative content to help equip the next generation. They are changing the scope of youth ministry across the name.
UYWI has given me the confidence and tools to achieve greatness in my community. They are a community/Tribe of people who stand firm for the Kingdom of God.
UYWI is an amazing organization bringing encouragement, excellent training and resources to leaders around the world. They have a global reach and service leaders that are often ministering in forgotten places. I am so grateful for how this ministry has impacted my life and many others!
UYWI has been a tremendous help in my life and in my ministry with youth in Detroit. Being apart of Youth for Christ's City Life ministry for over 10 years, I have benefitted from online trainings, audio trainings, Reload tour as well as being a presenter numerous years at Reload in Detroit. I would recommend this organization to anyone interested in getting into urban youth ministry as well as a savy vet looking to stay sharp. -Peter in Detroit