Meet the YAVs
2020-2021
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer program has chosen to not send YAVs to site in 2020-2021. Instead, interested participants are invited to join a virtual cohort for the 2020-2021 program year, and to serve at location in 2021-2022. If you are interested in the virtual cohort, or the 2021-2022 application, please click here.
2019-2020 ABQYAVs
My name is Caitlin Camper, and I recently graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, AR where I received my B.A. in Religious Studies with a minor in Anthropology. I'm originally from Birmingham, AL, but have since moved to Little Rock. I'm can be a pretty hard-core introvert but talking with and meeting others is one of my favorite things. Other favorites include morning coffee, hiking, running, flowers, social justice, stationary, board games, and a good book. Lately, I've been discerning my call to service and how my faith plays a role in that. The desert is a magical place and I'm eager to share this next year of service in a new city and with new community!
Caitlin is working with Lutheran Family Services (Rocky Mtn Region). You can read her blog here, or watch her storytelling video here.
Caitlin is working with Lutheran Family Services (Rocky Mtn Region). You can read her blog here, or watch her storytelling video here.
My name is Nathaniel Williams and I am from Rock Hill, SC. I am taking a gap year in between my sophomore and junior years of college and hope to continue studying Economics, Middle Eastern Studies, and Environmental studies when I return. Growing up in a preaching family, my parents and siblings always instilled a call to service. From the age of six I began tagging along with my family on mission trips and volunteering where I could. Through those experiences I learned that practicing faith is practicing love unto thy neighbor. Through loving and living in community with the many neighbors I met along the way, I gained a great respect for storytelling and learning from the communities we find ourselves in. I have a great appreciation for music, art, photography, literature, and the many other genres of stories that exist. I am very excited to be placed in Albuquerque and step into a new environment and I am eager to begin a roll of active learning and loving service.
Nate is working with Albuquerque Heading Home's Street Connect Team. You can read his blog here, or watch his storytelling video here.
Nate is working with Albuquerque Heading Home's Street Connect Team. You can read his blog here, or watch his storytelling video here.
My name is Nathan Paul-Bonham. I am the son of a Presbyterian pastor/federal prison chaplain and a christian educator. I have an older sister. I went to high school in Indiana. I went to undergrad at Presbyterian College in South Carolina. I was part of the M.Div. program at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Virginia for 2 years before taking a year to find vocational direction and to engage in active service.
Nathan is working with YDI, NM. You can watch his storytelling video here.
Nathan is working with YDI, NM. You can watch his storytelling video here.
My name is Tristan Wall and I am a recent graduate of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. My major is Religious Studies with a Spanish Minor. Over the past 4 years, I have had the privilege of studying a variety of world religions and cultures, with Polynesian and Aboriginal religion and culture being one of my favorites areas of study. I am originally from Asheville, North Carolina, however, my parents moved to Austin, Texas shortly after I graduated High School and currently work at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. I am a huge fan of anything Marvel movie related and could spend hours talking about The Avengers. I am also a die hard Chicago Cubs fan and enjoy spending afternoons watching Cubs games during the spring and summer. The Avett Brothers are another big part of who I am and their music never fails to cheer me up when I am feeling down! Although New Mexico will be a new culture for me, I was born and raised on a boarding school campus before moving to Charlotte for school so there will be a little bit of home with me I hope! I am so excited to have been called to serve in Albuquerque for the 2019-2020 YAV year and I can't wait to begin my work there!
Tristan is working with the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. You can read his blog here, or watch his storytelling video here.
Tristan is working with the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance. You can read his blog here, or watch his storytelling video here.
2018-2019 ABQYAVs
My name is Kim North. I am a soon to be graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I will be graduating with a double major in Organizational Communication and Spanish and a minor in Multimedia Communication. I am from St. Louis Park, Minnesota, which is a suburb of Minneapolis. When I am not in school or working, I like to read, play tennis and I love to spend time with my family at our cabin in northern Minnesota. No matter the circumstance I am always optimistic and I strongly believe that kindness matters. I am enthusiastically looking forward to my year as an Albuquerque YAV!
Kim will be working at Heading Home.
You can read Kim's blog here.
Kim will be working at Heading Home.
You can read Kim's blog here.
Hey y’all! My name is Lauren LaMonica. I’m 26 years old and I will be a second year YAV in Albuquerque after spending my current YAV year in Chinook, Montana. I was born and raised in Denton, Texas. I’m so excited for this amazing opportunity to not only follow my faith a bit more in depth but to also get to know the Albuquerque community. Peace be with you!
Lauren will be working at Second Presbyterian Church of ABQ.
You can read Lauren's blog here.
Lauren will be working at Second Presbyterian Church of ABQ.
You can read Lauren's blog here.
My name is Julie Woodson, and I will be graduating from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC this May. While at Wofford, I have been studying Art History and have a Business minor and Gender Studies concentration. I love art, hiking, and frequenting local coffee shops. I am passionate about traveling and love learning about new cultures. Most recently, I went to Nepal and Tibet, where I hiked out to Everest Base Camp. While I love grand adventures, I also love to take life a little slower and truly savor all the goodness of the Lord. I am so excited about this opportunity to serve and live in intentional community and can’t wait for everything this next year holds!
Julie will be working at the Menaul School.
You can read Julie's blog here.
Julie will be working at the Menaul School.
You can read Julie's blog here.
2017-2018 ABQYAVs
Bethany Przybocki
My name is Bethany Przybocki, I am 22 years old and have a strong passion for learning from and serving others. I am a recent graduate of Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, where I studied and received a bachelors degree in Music Education. I am beyond ecstatic to be living and exploring Albuquerque, NM, as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) this upcoming year after considering both Virginia and West Virginia my homes. My goal is to be open in bringing all that I can to those in need with a strong foundation in Faith and Love.
Bethany will be working at La Mesa Presbyterian Church.
You can read Bethany's blog here
Bethany will be working at La Mesa Presbyterian Church.
You can read Bethany's blog here
Taylor Garrett
My name is Taylor Garrett, I am 22 years old, and I am an aspiring educator and life-long student. I recently graduated from Waynesburg University with a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Mathematics Education and a minor in Spanish. This year, I have decided to explore and discern God’s path for me and I will be residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico as a Young Adult Volunteer (YAV). Although I am not sure what God has planned for me, I trust that it is good and I know that I will grow significantly by whole-heartedly and falteringly following him. During this year of growth, I want to learn, know, and love God, his work, and his people more deeply and more intentionally.
Taylor will be working at the Menaul School.
You can read Taylor's blog here
Taylor will be working at the Menaul School.
You can read Taylor's blog here
Claire Lewis
My name is Claire Lewis. I’m a recent graduate of Schreiner University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a minor in Photography. I was born and raised in the Hill Country of Texas, but I have a huge heart for traveling and experiencing different cultures! Throughout my undergraduate studies, I enjoyed being a Peer Minister Leader, learning Spanish, traveling to Kenya and being an exchange student in Colombia with a partnering Presbyterian university in Barranquilla. Each of these experiences in one way or another prepared me and inspired me to pursue the Young Adult Volunteers Program to continue experiencing different cultures, engage in service opportunities, and enhance my walk with God.
As I approached graduation, I wrestled with this desire to answer the call of service and missions, while feeling the pressures to go directly into our career-driven world. My hope and desire is to use this opportunity of singleness and willingness to go, to do something unmistakably purposeful and experience an unforgettable sense of community through this dedicated year of service!
I'm eager to come to New Mexico and be a part of what God is doing in Albuquerque and the surrounding area, alongside this presbytery - I'd like to thank you in advance for the prayers and support in this upcoming transition!
Claire will be working at Camino de Vida.
You can read Claire's blog here
As I approached graduation, I wrestled with this desire to answer the call of service and missions, while feeling the pressures to go directly into our career-driven world. My hope and desire is to use this opportunity of singleness and willingness to go, to do something unmistakably purposeful and experience an unforgettable sense of community through this dedicated year of service!
I'm eager to come to New Mexico and be a part of what God is doing in Albuquerque and the surrounding area, alongside this presbytery - I'd like to thank you in advance for the prayers and support in this upcoming transition!
Claire will be working at Camino de Vida.
You can read Claire's blog here
Ana Miller
My name is Ana Miller and I am live in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. I am 19 years old and I grew up in a multicultural household and on a farm. My father is from the United States and my mother is from Colombia, South America. Growing up I was able to be a part of two beautiful cultures that are very unique and different from each other. I have been a part of the Presbyterian Church for four years. I am currently working at a daycare for children of migrant workers. I have decided to serve with the YAV because I wanted to grow in my faith and I would love to get to know a different part of the vast cultures of the United States. I have been looking for something that I feel is going to really stick with me for the rest of my life. I want to learn more about myself and my faith, by being challenged out of my comfort zone.
Ana will be working at St. Martin's Hospitality Center.
You can read Ana's blog here.
Ana will be working at St. Martin's Hospitality Center.
You can read Ana's blog here.
Hello, I'm Audrey! While I've lived in a variety of places growing up, I claim to be an Oregonian as I’ve lived here for the past 9 years. I graduated from Willamette University in 2016 with BAs in Latin American Studies and Spanish, and a minor in Chemistry. I aspire to serve communities as a physician and have worked as a medical scribe this past year in Roseburg, a rural town in southern Oregon. I enjoy learning and trying new things, as well as being active and spending time outside. I am thrilled to explore a new part of the country, and to live and work in intentional Christian community. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me this next year!
Audrey will be working at Albuquerque Heading Home.
You can read Audrey's blog here
Audrey will be working at Albuquerque Heading Home.
You can read Audrey's blog here
Want to be a YAV in ABQ? Apply here