OUR HISTORY & BACKGROUND
Young Life in Glen Ellyn is a world-class organization for our teens and youth. Teenagers today face overwhelming stress from various school issues, friend drama, 24/7 social media engagement, and a constant pressure to perform. Our staff and volunteers engage in the world of kids, focusing on what matters to them — friendship, connection, adventure and a sense of significance. In doing so, they win the privilege to be heard, and are able to share and model what a faith-based life has to offer.
The grassroots Young Life vision began in the early 1930s when Clara Frasher, an elderly woman, recruited a group of her friends to pray for the teenagers attending Gainesville High School in Texas. Six years later, a young seminarian came along who had the ambition & patience to connect with the youth disinterested in church, and in 1941 Young Life was officially founded. By the 1950’s, Young Life expanded internationally. Today, Young Life operates in 100+ countries supported by 5,454 staff members, more than 81,000 volunteers and 220,000 donors.
Because of the support of adult / parent volunteers who we call our committee, Young Life has existed in our community for almost 25 years. Each year, our committee and staff host fundraisers essential for Young Life to continue in Glen Ellyn, as Young Life is 100% locally funded.
Club
Everyone is welcome at what is often called a party with a purpose. Young Life & WyldLife Club are a time of fun and talking about what matters in life.
Relationships
Kids are invited to experience friendship and connection with their leaders as well as other students. YL and WYL leaders are committed to being involved in kids' lives. They will be their biggest fan, take them on great adventures, and believe in all they can be.
Campaigners
Kids and leaders open the Bible together and discuss what it means to follow Jesus Christ.
Does it matter?
4 out of 5
Young Life participants consider Young Life and its leaders to be a significant influence on their faith.
94%
of Young Life volunteer leaders and staff would overwhelmingly recommend their leadership experience to a friend.
Stacy Moen
Ministry Director-Hadley/St. Pets WyldLife
Stacy grew up in Elmhurst, IL, where her mom started WyldLife for her and her sister. Young Life was transformational for her high school experience, as it helped her grow in her faith and find value in community. In college, she became a volunteer leader at the University of Illinois where she decided she wanted to pursue ministry full time. Since graduating in 2017 she has served on staff. Stacy is passionate about middle schoolers, building community and walking alongside teens in such a pivotal time in life. She currently lives in Glen Ellyn with her husband, AJ, who she met volunteer leading Young Life with in college and who is excited to also be leading in Glen Ellyn!
You can reach Stacy at stacy@ylchicago.com.
Mary Neeley
Area Director - Glenbard South & Glen Crest WyldLife
Mary Neeley, a North Carolina native, has been involved with Young Life since October 2016. She was a volunteer leader at Glenbard West in Glen Ellyn while she studied International Relations at Wheaton College. She came on staff in Glen Ellyn in September 2020, focusing her efforts on Glenbard South. Mary is passionate about investing in students, caring for them and loving them through the ups and downs of life. She is overjoyed to be continuing ministry in Glen Ellyn and hopes that Young Life makes a difference in students’ lives at Glenbard South and Glen Crest!
You can contact Mary directly at mneeley@ylchicago.com.
Eliza Davis
Ministry Director - Glenbard West Young Life
Eliza grew up in a small town in Virginia with her four siblings and parents. She has been involved in the church, different ministries, and outreach her whole life, but discovered Young Life as a freshman at Wheaton College. She spent three years leading with the Glen Ellyn WyldLife team before making the decision to continue working for Young Life. She has a heart for middle and high schoolers and wants to be there for them, guiding them to experience the love of Christ. She is excited to start this new chapter with Glen Ellyn Young Life, continuing to serve the community and the Kingdom.
You can reach Eliza directly at edavis@ylchicago.com
Leaders Care
"Everyone wants someone in their life who will simply care and listen to them, and it’s a privilege that the Lord has equipped me to do just that through being a WyldLife leader."
