MYM FAQs
Q. What is the history of MYM?
Memphis Youth Mission (MYM) began in 2016. It was developed as an expansion of Asheville Youth Mission, which was founded by Aimee and Bill Buchanan, Christian educators and ordained PC(USA) ministers. Our ministry has also expanded to sites in Raleigh, NC, Charleston, SC, Dallas, TX and Asheville, NC and an umbrella organization, Youth Mission Co.
Memphis Youth Mission (MYM) began in 2016. It was developed as an expansion of Asheville Youth Mission, which was founded by Aimee and Bill Buchanan, Christian educators and ordained PC(USA) ministers. Our ministry has also expanded to sites in Raleigh, NC, Charleston, SC, Dallas, TX and Asheville, NC and an umbrella organization, Youth Mission Co.
Q. Who is MYM Staff?
Bill Buchanan is the Executive Director of YMCo. Our Interim Mission Immersion Director for Summer 2024 is Jenita Nakamura. MYM employs college interns for the summer season. MYM also relies on many volunteers, adjunct staff, and a support team to keep us up and running.
Bill Buchanan is the Executive Director of YMCo. Our Interim Mission Immersion Director for Summer 2024 is Jenita Nakamura. MYM employs college interns for the summer season. MYM also relies on many volunteers, adjunct staff, and a support team to keep us up and running.
Q. How do I register?
Registration is a two-step process. First, complete the online registration form. Payment of the non-refundable deposit is required to finalize and confirm your registration.
Registration is a two-step process. First, complete the online registration form. Payment of the non-refundable deposit is required to finalize and confirm your registration.
Q. What is the cost to participate in MYM?
For a week-long experience (Sunday evening through Friday morning), it is $420 per person.
For a weekend experience (Friday evening through Sunday morning), it is $220 per person.
For a week-long experience (Sunday evening through Friday morning), it is $420 per person.
For a weekend experience (Friday evening through Sunday morning), it is $220 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 $210 per participant (for a week) or $110 (for a weekend). This deposit is due within fourteen (14) days of the email notification from MYM. Please make all checks payable to “Memphis Youth Mission” 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, MYM 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 $210 per participant (for a week) or $110 (for a weekend). This deposit is due within fourteen (14) days of the email notification from MYM. Please make all checks payable to “Memphis Youth Mission” 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, MYM 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?
MYM’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.
MYM’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.
Q. What about transportation while we are there?
We expect groups to bring their own ground transportation while they are at MYM. We will provide parking for your vehicles while you are with us, with a charge of $20 per vehicle for the week that goes to our hosting church for their mission initiatives. Please tell your MYM Mission Immersion Director beforehand how many vehicles, and what kinds of vehicles, you plan to bring during your time with us.
We expect groups to bring their own ground transportation while they are at MYM. We will provide parking for your vehicles while you are with us, with a charge of $20 per vehicle for the week that goes to our hosting church for their mission initiatives. Please tell your MYM Mission Immersion Director beforehand how many vehicles, and what kinds of vehicles, you plan to bring during your time with us.
Q. What if we want to charter a bus to MYM?
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 Memphis 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 MYM 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 Memphis 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 MYM Mission Immersion Director before you make final arrangements.
Q. Where will we be staying?
You will be staying at Idlewild Presbyterian Church in the Midtown area of Memphis.
You will be staying at Idlewild Presbyterian Church in the Midtown area of Memphis.
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?
Contact Jenita Nakamura at 615-586-1195.
Contact Jenita Nakamura at 615-586-1195.
Q. What are sleeping arrangements?
In our designated (and gender specific) sleeping rooms there is plenty of floor space. PLEASE BRING SINGLE SIZE AIR MATTRESSES or sleeping cot (not a camping pad) as well as sleeping bags and pillows. Idlewild Presbyterian Church has air conditioning (and heat).
In our designated (and gender specific) sleeping rooms there is plenty of floor space. PLEASE BRING SINGLE SIZE AIR MATTRESSES or sleeping cot (not a camping pad) as well as sleeping bags and pillows. Idlewild Presbyterian Church has air conditioning (and heat).
Q. Where should we park while at Idlewild Presbyterian Church?
This information is in the process of being updated.
This information is in the process of being updated.
Q. What do meals look like? How do we request special diets?
MYM provides a fully stocked kitchen for breakfasts, lunches and dinners (with the exception of dinner on Thursday, which is free afternoon). Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dinners will be prepared by a MYM kitchen staff. 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 MYM; 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.
MYM provides a fully stocked kitchen for breakfasts, lunches and dinners (with the exception of dinner on Thursday, which is free afternoon). Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday dinners will be prepared by a MYM kitchen staff. 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 MYM; 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 on site at Memphis Youth Mission. We sometimes will also use showers at local YMCA locations during our busiest times.
Showers are located on site at Memphis Youth Mission. We sometimes will also use showers at local YMCA locations during our busiest times.
Q. Is there a kitchen available?
Yes. There is a church kitchen, where we will have designated cabinet, refrigerator, and freezer space. 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 church kitchen, where we will have designated cabinet, refrigerator, and freezer space. 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 MYM provide?
An orientation upon arrival as well as facilitation and activities for debriefing during the week. MYM provides evening programs Monday-Wednesday as well as a closing worship on Friday morning.
An orientation upon arrival as well as facilitation and activities for debriefing during the week. MYM provides evening programs Monday-Wednesday 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
• 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 (bring layers, as the weather is unpredictable)
• Shower shoes, toiletries, towel, small bag or caddy for toiletries
• Prescription meds (inhalers, insulin, allergy meds, etc.)
• Sunscreen
• Sleeping bag/sheets, twin air mattress/pad, pillow
• Bible
• Reusable water bottle (MYM has 25 oz. 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
• 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 (bring layers, as the weather is unpredictable)
• Shower shoes, toiletries, towel, small bag or caddy for toiletries
• Prescription meds (inhalers, insulin, allergy meds, etc.)
• Sunscreen
• Sleeping bag/sheets, twin air mattress/pad, pillow
• Bible
• Reusable water bottle (MYM has 25 oz. 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 MYM (adults and youth participants at work sites)?
We have a fairly strict dress code for work sites for the safety of our participants. Any MYM 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 MYM 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 MYM 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 MYM 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?
Group Leaders will receive a “Fun in Memphis” resource provided by MYM as a part of the Leader Packet.
Group Leaders will receive a “Fun in Memphis” resource provided by MYM as a part of the Leader Packet.
Q. Where is MYM located?
The MYM programming is located at Idlewild Presbyterian Church.
The MYM programming is located at Idlewild Presbyterian Church.
Q. What age groups does MYM host?
We welcome rising 6th graders through graduated seniors during our summer mission immersion. We also welcome college-aged groups.
We welcome rising 6th graders through graduated seniors during our summer mission immersion. We also welcome college-aged groups.
Q. What can we expect in our time with MYM?
The MYM 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 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 close our time together with worship, lead by MYM.
The MYM 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 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 close our time together with worship, lead by MYM.