Girls ECYD Youth Work: Creativity in Action

COVID calls for a greater creativity and adaptability in reaching the youth and family we serve through our ECYD youth work. Jacquie Lustig, Rachel Peach, and Lorianne MacDonnell, with the RC Missionaries- Isabel Losinski and Jeanne Henkel- have been finding ways to accompany the girls involved in Challenge/ECYD in new ways. 

Some ECYD/Challenge clubs were able to start up again in September with the new school year. Blessed Sacrament, St. Pius, and St. Timothy in Kentucky were the first ones, with good turn out and enthusiasm among team leaders and girls. The Consecrated Women and RC Missionaries were able to join the first meetings and support the team leaders in kicking off the new year. 

October held two weekend retreats: a high school and a middle school retreat. Social distancing and spending time outside at Camp River Ridge, they were still able to provide deep experiences of Christ, fun, and friendship for the groups of twelve to fifteen girls per retreat.

In November, when schools in Kentucky went virtual again, Challenge did too. The team leaders didn’t miss a beat, and together brainstormed and planned ways to keep the momentum going. Meanwhile in Ohio, most clubs were able to continue meeting in person, and kept finding creative ways for service projects and fun learning. The Consecrated Women also put on a virtual retreat for moms, with over 20 women participating.

As an initiative to accompany the high school team leaders with resources to live Advent more deeply, the ECYD young adult team planned, designed, and prepared “Advent Boxes.” These boxes were filled with materials for each girl to create her own prayer space in her room: DIY advent wreath, etsy images, homemade candles, a journal, a rosary holder, and crafty Christmas paper and decorations. Through the link sent out by each ECYD/Challenge Club president, parents could buy their daughter an “Advent Box”, and then the Consecrated Women and RC Missionaries would deliver it to their homes. Over 40 girls received these boxes, and the response was so positive that the ECYD team is considering making this an annual tradition.

God has a plan, and while the circumstances change, there are always ways to spread JOY and hope. 

Follow ECYD Ohio Valley on Instagram: @ecyd.ohiovalley