YCNA (Youth Center for North America) fosters opportunities for young people to come together and build community.
Through holistic activities and programs, YCNA helps young adults grow in both human and spiritual dimensions.
Our Vision: A united world where fraternity is lived among all people.
Our Mission: To inspire and encourage young people from diverse backgrounds to work toward and live for a more united world.
YCNA is guided by the spirituality of unity of the Focolare Movement, founded by Chiara Lubich and serves and supports young adults across North America.
The Impact
“It changed my life.”
(2019)
“The youth school was amazing because I left with relationship skills that I think will help me in my everyday life.”
(2019)
“Enjoyed learning different leadership styles and how our values and virtues can interlap with our leadership in the real world.”
(LW – 2023)
“I’ve always known the importance of turning to God during suffering but learning about Jesus Forsaken made me feel more prepared to face those hard things. It helped me understand how to connect with Jesus on a deeper level.”
(Youth Retreat – 2023)
“It was a very fulfilling, educational, and unforgettable experience!! And the unity between each and every one of those who attended the event was indescribably amazing. I’m excited for the next one.”
(2019)
My takeaway: “The colors that we learned and that everything can be a prayer was a really amazing way of changing an abstract idea to a real way of loving Jesus.”
(Youth Retreat 2023)
Address: 200 Cardinal Rd. Hyde Park, NY 12538
YCNA is located in Mariapolis Luminosa and is part of the Focolare Movement, a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations go toward our programs and are tax deductible.
Youth Center for North America (YCNA)
Mission & Vision
To create opportunities for young people to come together and build community in programs that foster growth of the whole person.
What we do
We plan and provide opportunities that build community and promote growth and development in various areas of human life. Retreats, conferences, trips, projects and schools have at the basis the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you want them to do unto you; don’t do to others what you don’t want them to do unto you”.
In 2019, United World Week, a youth conference, a youth school and mini retreats were held in Mariapolis Luminosa with nearly 100 participants.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, activities and events were transformed into virtual opportunities with United World Week webinars, social justice webinars, online Easter retreat, prayer sessions and online youth conference.
See the impact our events have had on young adults.
The YCNA team is composed of adults and young adults across North America who are dedicated to its mission. It is guided by Youth for United World (Y4UW) of the Focolare Movement, founded by Chiara Lubich.
The young people of Y4UW are from different cultures, religions and nationalities and live in 180 countries from the 5 continents. They choose to live for a more fraternal and united world. They want universal brotherhood to become the new cornerstone for politics, economics, labor, environment, sports, communications and science.
3 main projects
1) Activities in Mariapolis Luminosa (the national center for the Focolare in North America – New York) – camps, workshops, retreats, schools, etc..
To help build community among young people, being able to connect with other youth/gen.
2) Service Projects – local activities which allow groups to carry out service work.
To build relationships, teach life skills, foster a service experience, provide more volunteer opportunities.
3) International trips – youth festivals (Genfest), social activities, schools, pilgrimages, conferences.
To help build community among young people, offer more ways to meet other youth that are a part of the Focolare Movement.
YCNA works to promote the Pathways for a United World themes. 2020: Human rights, peace, legality and justice!
Items with the theme motto: “in time for peace”
YCNA works with National Dialogue.
The vision of this initiative is an energized and unified Church committed to forming and engaging youth and young adults as missionary disciples.
“All young people, without exception, have the right to be guided in life’s journey.” — Pope Francis
YCNA
200 Cardinal Rd.
Hyde Park, NY 12538
YCNA is located in Mariapolis Luminosa and is part of the Focolare Movement, a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations go toward our programs and are tax deductible.
