Kate's YASC Mission Year

Hello! My name is Kate Jewett-Williams and I am so grateful to share with you all that I have been selected to be a member of the Young Adult Service Corps (YASC) and will be spending the next year working as a missionary for the Episcopal church. 

To send one YASC member costs $25,000 for the entire year. The national church is very generous and covers $15,000 leaving YASC members the task of raising $10,000 before they leave. This covers flights, living arrangements, Healthcare coverage and a small living stipend of around $500 a month, and $1200 of language study for the year.
I know $10,000 seems like a lot but in reality, it's only $27 a day. And even if you can't give $27 any contribution you make will be helpful

I know that many of my friends and family may be skeptical of "missionary work" for many reasons but I'll try and tackle the 2 reasons right now:

So, are you going to "save souls?"

Mission work comes in a variety of forms but the YASC program is not based in proselytization, instead members are partnered with local Anglican and Episcopal churches, schools, and NGOs to accomplish a wide variety of mission work that is centered around the teaching of Matthew 25:34-40 (feeding the hungry, aiding the poor tending the sick and dying, welcoming the stranger, & visiting the prisoner) 

Ok, but how sustainable is the help you're giving?

This is another wonderful question, I have given a lot of thought to "voluntourism" and sustainable development, even better the YASC program personnel have too! All YASC placements build off Asset Based Community Development, known as the ABCD model. Most YASC placements are connected with locally run and operated programs that have a relationship with a local Anglican or Episcopal church and have been asked if they're interested in participating in the YASC program and what their needs might be. My particular placement will be building off my experience in the US working to build a community involvement around the issue of refugee and asylum seekers.


FAQ

Does your Bishop know you're going, did you ask them for money?

Yep! All YASC members inform their local Bishops about their acceptance and ask for permission to raise funds. Bishop Sumner has made a generous donation.

I am a parish member of Church of the Transfiguration in Dallas and both Ft. Casey Shobe and Mtr. Erin Jean Warde know and are very supportive.

I have also reached out to the Diocese of Oklahoma (the diocese I grew up in) with Bishop Ed's approval, St. Paul's Cathedral in OKC has been very generous in their support.

Where are you going?

I'm going to serve in the Diocese of Liverpool to help with their refugee and asylum seeker ministry there. 

Can my donation be tax-deductible? 

It sure can be! but you will need to donate away from gofundme. Please send me a message so we can get you set up.

I don't have any money to spare can I still help?
 
Of course! Firstly, you can share this campaign with others so that I can meet my goal! Any little bit helps. I will also need lots of prayers, emails, letters, music, etc. while I'm abroad. You can also follow my blog. Please let me know if you want to be involved in non-monetary ways while I'm abroad!