Who we are
Life to the full.
Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.
Young Life began in 1941, when a young man named Jim Rayburn started showing teenagers how much God cares about them — by going into their world and sharing the message of God's love in ways they could understand. That simple idea hasn't changed: caring adults go to where kids are and earn the right to be heard by becoming a genuine, consistent friend.
More than eighty years later, that mission is at work in communities all over the world — and right here in Westmoreland County.
Young Life in Westmoreland County
Our area's home base is Penn-Trafford, where a team of staff and volunteer leaders is doing that same work with local high school students — at the games, the lunch tables, and the after-school hangouts. It's the start of a bigger vision to reach kids all across the county.
Meet the team
Courtney Leonetti
Adult Volunteer Leader
Zack Fisher
Adult Volunteer Leader
James Fitzsimmons
Adult Volunteer Leader
Cam Alexander
College Volunteer Leader
Dillon Zechman
College Volunteer Leader
Audrey Ferguson
College Volunteer Leader
How you can help
It takes a community to reach a kid.
Young Life runs on people who believe in kids — those who give, those who serve, and those who pray. Your story matters, and it can make a difference beyond what you imagine.
Join the adult team
Behind every Young Life area is a committee of adults who make the ministry possible — hosting events, organizing fundraisers, handling logistics, opening their homes, and praying for our leaders and kids. You don't need to work directly with students to make a huge difference.
Give or pray
Financial gifts send kids to camp through our Camp Scholarship Fund, keep club running, and let us reach more students every year — and prayer is the engine behind all of it. Whether it's a one-time gift, monthly support, or committing to pray for our area, every bit matters.
Our vision: reaching new schools
Penn-Trafford is just the beginning. We have a vision to extend Young Life into more schools across Westmoreland County — so that every student in our region has a caring adult in their corner. These are the communities we're praying and working toward next:
Would you love to see Young Life in one of these communities — and be part of the team that gets it off the ground? That's exactly how new areas begin. Reach out to me and let's start the conversation.
Events
A place at the table.
From the best night of the week to the trip of a lifetime — here's where to find us.
Club
A night of friends and fun — games, music, laughter, and a short, honest talk about faith. Wide open to everyone; bring a friend. Reach out to a leader for the location.
Campaigners
A time to dive in deeper and ask life's biggest questions, alongside friends who are doing the same.
Summer Camp
Experience the greatest week of your life — the best food, the wildest games, and the deepest conversations many kids will have all year.
Fall Weekend
Experience some of the joys of camp packed into one weekend away as the school year gets going.
Signup link coming soon — stay tuned!
Campaigner Weekend
A focused weekend for our Campaigners students to step back, dig into faith, and be encouraged together.
Signup link coming soon — stay tuned!
Say hello
Let's connect
Questions about club, camp, or how to get involved? We'd love to hear from you — reach out any time.