ATLYM FAQs
Q. What is the history of ATLYM?
Atlanta Youth Mission (ATLYM) began in 2026. Our ministry has also expanded to sites in Raleigh, NC, Asheville, NC, Charleston, SC and Memphis, TN and an umbrella organization, Youth Mission Co.
Atlanta Youth Mission (ATLYM) began in 2026. Our ministry has also expanded to sites in Raleigh, NC, Asheville, NC, Charleston, SC and Memphis, TN and an umbrella organization, Youth Mission Co.
Q. Who is ATLYM Staff?
Bill Buchanan is the executive Director of Youth Mission Co. We are currently in the process of hiring our Mission Immersion Director in Atlanta. ATLYM employs interns for the summer season and relies on many volunteers, adjunct staff, and a support staff to keep us running.
Bill Buchanan is the executive Director of Youth Mission Co. We are currently in the process of hiring our Mission Immersion Director in Atlanta. ATLYM employs interns for the summer season and relies on many volunteers, adjunct staff, and a support staff to keep us running.
Q. What is the cost to participate in ATLYM?
- For a week-long experience (Sunday evening through Friday morning), it is $490 per person.
- For a weekend experience (Friday evening through Sunday morning), it is $290 per person.
Q. When and how is the money due?
Once your registration has been received and you have been notified that your date is penciled-in, please send a non-refundable deposit of $245 per participant (for a week) or $145 per participant (for a weekend). This deposit is due within fourteen (14) days of the email notification from ATLYM. Please make all checks payable to “Youth Mission Co” and mail them to the following address: P.O. Box 2988 Asheville, NC 28802. (All registrations and payments for YMCo locations are processed at our YMCo office in Asheville.) Upon receipt of your check, ATLYM will send a confirmation email that we have received payment and that your spots are reserved. Final numbers and payment in full (the balance due) are due thirty (30) days prior to your scheduled arrival. Click here to see the full Financial Policy.
Once your registration has been received and you have been notified that your date is penciled-in, please send a non-refundable deposit of $245 per participant (for a week) or $145 per participant (for a weekend). This deposit is due within fourteen (14) days of the email notification from ATLYM. Please make all checks payable to “Youth Mission Co” and mail them to the following address: P.O. Box 2988 Asheville, NC 28802. (All registrations and payments for YMCo locations are processed at our YMCo office in Asheville.) Upon receipt of your check, ATLYM will send a confirmation email that we have received payment and that your spots are reserved. Final numbers and payment in full (the balance due) are due thirty (30) days prior to your scheduled arrival. Click here to see the full Financial Policy.
Q. What if we have to cancel?
ATLYM’s cancellation policy is as follows:
30 days and more: If your group or any registrant in your group must cancel 30 days or more prior to your arrival date, the payments paid prior to cancellation will not be refunded. Any registrant deposit is transferable to a replacement registrant for the original and currently reserved week.
29 days and less: If your group or any registrant in your group must cancel 29 days or less prior to your arrival date, the payments paid prior to cancellation will not be refunded AND payment in full is due for each registrant cancellation.
The deposit and payments that are held for an ATLYM experience by any group are only good for the original and currently reserved week for that group. If you must reschedule your ATLYM experience, a new deposit and payments are required. Please contact us ASAP to make arrangements. Deposits from cancelled participants cannot be used to pay the balance due on remaining participants.
ATLYM’s cancellation policy is as follows:
30 days and more: If your group or any registrant in your group must cancel 30 days or more prior to your arrival date, the payments paid prior to cancellation will not be refunded. Any registrant deposit is transferable to a replacement registrant for the original and currently reserved week.
29 days and less: If your group or any registrant in your group must cancel 29 days or less prior to your arrival date, the payments paid prior to cancellation will not be refunded AND payment in full is due for each registrant cancellation.
The deposit and payments that are held for an ATLYM experience by any group are only good for the original and currently reserved week for that group. If you must reschedule your ATLYM experience, a new deposit and payments are required. Please contact us ASAP to make arrangements. Deposits from cancelled participants cannot be used to pay the balance due on remaining participants.
Q. Can we arrange for our group to be the one and only group staying at ATLYM when we come?
ATLYM has a wide variety of groups, from very small to very large. If you have a large group, you may end up being the only group staying with us at that time. However, as long as slots remain for that time, we cannot promise that you will be the only group here during your week or weekend.
ATLYM has a wide variety of groups, from very small to very large. If you have a large group, you may end up being the only group staying with us at that time. However, as long as slots remain for that time, we cannot promise that you will be the only group here during your week or weekend.
Q. What about transportation while we are there?
We expect groups to bring their own ground transportation while they are at ATLYM. We will provide parking for vehicles while you are with us. Please tell your ATLYM Mission Immersion Director beforehand how many vehicles and what kinds of vehicles you plan to bring. There is also a MARTA (subway) system stop that is close by to ATLYM and may be used at times during your stay with us.
We expect groups to bring their own ground transportation while they are at ATLYM. We will provide parking for vehicles while you are with us. Please tell your ATLYM Mission Immersion Director beforehand how many vehicles and what kinds of vehicles you plan to bring. There is also a MARTA (subway) system stop that is close by to ATLYM and may be used at times during your stay with us.
Q. What if we want to charter a bus to ATLYM?
We know that some of our groups are coming a long distance and that chartering a bus can be a great way to get to and from Atlanta that doesn’t wear out your adults. However, using a chartered bus can be problematic when it comes to going to visit agencies during the week. We like to keep our work groups small, and only having one vehicle to carry large groups of people to several stops can be challenging. If you are thinking of chartering a bus, contact your ATLYM Mission Immersion Director before you make final arrangements.
We know that some of our groups are coming a long distance and that chartering a bus can be a great way to get to and from Atlanta that doesn’t wear out your adults. However, using a chartered bus can be problematic when it comes to going to visit agencies during the week. We like to keep our work groups small, and only having one vehicle to carry large groups of people to several stops can be challenging. If you are thinking of chartering a bus, contact your ATLYM Mission Immersion Director before you make final arrangements.
Q. Where will we be staying?
ATLYM is located at All Saints Episcopal Church (634 W. Peachtree St. NW Atlanta) There are designated rooms for ATLYM.
ATLYM is located at All Saints Episcopal Church (634 W. Peachtree St. NW Atlanta) There are designated rooms for ATLYM.
Q. When should we arrive?
If you are a summer week-long group, we will be ready to receive your group at 7:00 pm on Sunday. Please have dinner prior to your arrival. Orientation will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.
If you are a summer week-long group, we will be ready to receive your group at 7:00 pm on Sunday. Please have dinner prior to your arrival. Orientation will begin promptly at 7:30 pm.
Q. What if we’re running late on arrival day?
Please contact your ATLYM Director by call or text.
Please contact your ATLYM Director by call or text.
Q. What are sleeping arrangements?
There are cleared classroom spaces where our groups will sleep. Groups will normally need to bring their own SINGLE SIZE air mattresses as well as sleeping bags or other bedding, and pillows. Our spaces have air conditioning and heat.
There are cleared classroom spaces where our groups will sleep. Groups will normally need to bring their own SINGLE SIZE air mattresses as well as sleeping bags or other bedding, and pillows. Our spaces have air conditioning and heat.
Q. Where should we park while at ATLYM?
There are designated parking spaces available for ATLYM vehicles at All Saints Episcopal.
There are designated parking spaces available for ATLYM vehicles at All Saints Episcopal.
Q. What do meals look like? How do we request special diets?
ATLYM provides a fully stocked kitchen for breakfasts, lunches and dinners (with the exception of dinner on Thursday, which is free afternoon). You’ll be on your own for Thursday dinner and Friday lunch after closing worship. There is also an option to opt out of Thursday’s lunch (a bagged lunch), if you so choose. As for special diet requests, please let us know at least a week in advance so that we can have it ready for you. You will not go hungry at ATLYM; however, if your group likes to have particular snacks and/or gets hungry in between or after meal times, feel free to bring snack food.
ATLYM provides a fully stocked kitchen for breakfasts, lunches and dinners (with the exception of dinner on Thursday, which is free afternoon). You’ll be on your own for Thursday dinner and Friday lunch after closing worship. There is also an option to opt out of Thursday’s lunch (a bagged lunch), if you so choose. As for special diet requests, please let us know at least a week in advance so that we can have it ready for you. You will not go hungry at ATLYM; however, if your group likes to have particular snacks and/or gets hungry in between or after meal times, feel free to bring snack food.
Q. Where do we shower?
Showers are located at ATLYM.
Showers are located at ATLYM.
Q. Is there a kitchen available?
Yes. There is a kitchen that we use for breakfast, lunch, and dinners. If you need to bring something refrigerated, please let us know, as we’ll try to make room in our limited fridge space.
Yes. There is a kitchen that we use for breakfast, lunch, and dinners. If you need to bring something refrigerated, please let us know, as we’ll try to make room in our limited fridge space.
Q. What does ATLYM provide?
An orientation upon arrival as well as facilitation and activities for debriefing during the week. ATLYM provides evening programs Monday-Wednesday, a Thursday walk of awareness, as well as a closing worship on Friday morning.
An orientation upon arrival as well as facilitation and activities for debriefing during the week. ATLYM provides evening programs Monday-Wednesday, a Thursday walk of awareness, as well as a closing worship on Friday morning.
Q. What do we need to bring?
Please bring the following:
• Flexibility and humility (most important as they’re keys to a fantastic mission experience)
• Work clothes (clothes you don't mind getting dirty)
• One pair of long pants (as some sites require pants)
• Closed-toe shoes or work boots (socks, please)
• Work gloves
• Casual clothes/shoes for non-work times
• Shower shoes, toiletries, towel, small bag or caddy for toiletries
• Prescription meds (inhalers, insulin, allergy meds, etc.)
• Sunscreen, Rain gear
• Sleeping bag/sheets, twin air mattress/pad, pillow
• Bible
• Reusable water bottle (ATLYM has water bottles available to purchase)
• Bathing suit (if your group is doing something water-related on your free day)
Please bring the following:
• Flexibility and humility (most important as they’re keys to a fantastic mission experience)
• Work clothes (clothes you don't mind getting dirty)
• One pair of long pants (as some sites require pants)
• Closed-toe shoes or work boots (socks, please)
• Work gloves
• Casual clothes/shoes for non-work times
• Shower shoes, toiletries, towel, small bag or caddy for toiletries
• Prescription meds (inhalers, insulin, allergy meds, etc.)
• Sunscreen, Rain gear
• Sleeping bag/sheets, twin air mattress/pad, pillow
• Bible
• Reusable water bottle (ATLYM has water bottles available to purchase)
• Bathing suit (if your group is doing something water-related on your free day)
Q. What is the dress code for ATLYM (adults and youth participants at work sites)?
We have a fairly strict dress code for work sites for the safety of our participants. Any ATLYM participant not adhering to this dress code will be asked to change immediately or not work at the site.
Dress code for work sites:
We have a fairly strict dress code for work sites for the safety of our participants. Any ATLYM participant not adhering to this dress code will be asked to change immediately or not work at the site.
Dress code for work sites:
- Shorts (wear what is recommended by your group)
- Closed-toe shoes
- T-shirts
- Socks/Underwear
- It is also helpful to bring a pair of long pants.
Q. What things won’t we need?
Please leave all valuables (jewelry, bags, electronics, clothing, etc.) at home. Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t want to lose, as ATLYM will not be held responsible for lost or stolen personal items. Do not bring lots of money. Leave clothes/shoes that you don’t want to get dirty/sweaty at home.
Please leave all valuables (jewelry, bags, electronics, clothing, etc.) at home. Don’t bring anything you wouldn’t want to lose, as ATLYM will not be held responsible for lost or stolen personal items. Do not bring lots of money. Leave clothes/shoes that you don’t want to get dirty/sweaty at home.
Q. What are some suggestions of things to do on our free day?
Please refer to your Leader Packet for the “Fun in Charleston” resource provided by ATLYM. Please let ATLYM know BEFORE your arrival if you are doing something on your free day that takes the entire day and therefore takes your group out of the downtown historical walk on Thursday.
Please refer to your Leader Packet for the “Fun in Charleston” resource provided by ATLYM. Please let ATLYM know BEFORE your arrival if you are doing something on your free day that takes the entire day and therefore takes your group out of the downtown historical walk on Thursday.
Q. Where is ATLYM located?
We are located at All Saints Episcopal Church in Midtown Atlanta.
We are located at All Saints Episcopal Church in Midtown Atlanta.
Q. What age groups does ATLYM host?
We welcome rising 6th graders through graduated seniors during our summer mission immersion. We also welcome college-aged groups throughout the school year.
We welcome rising 6th graders through graduated seniors during our summer mission immersion. We also welcome college-aged groups throughout the school year.
Q. What can we expect in our time with ATLYM?
The ATLYM Staff will accompany your group to all service sites. We will serve as the liaisons between your group and the work sites and will coordinate with the sites to ensure things are running smoothly. You will be doing all kinds of work from physical labor to visitation to playing games with kids or simply sharing a meal with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. We will all be experiencing what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. In the evenings, we will reconvene after showers and dinner for a program where we’ll explore and debrief our daily experiences. We will consider what Scripture says about our responsibilities to create a more just and equitable community for all. We will close our time together with worship, led by ATLYM.
The ATLYM Staff will accompany your group to all service sites. We will serve as the liaisons between your group and the work sites and will coordinate with the sites to ensure things are running smoothly. You will be doing all kinds of work from physical labor to visitation to playing games with kids or simply sharing a meal with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness. We will all be experiencing what it means to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. In the evenings, we will reconvene after showers and dinner for a program where we’ll explore and debrief our daily experiences. We will consider what Scripture says about our responsibilities to create a more just and equitable community for all. We will close our time together with worship, led by ATLYM.
