Indianapolis Vida JovenLizbeth Barajas

Our DreamEvery level of Young Life would represent the demographics of the

geography we serve (Kids, Leaders, Staff, Committee)

Growing Hispanic Population in IndianapolisIn 2013 9% of the population of Indianapolis identifies as Hispanic or Latino (According to World Population Statistics)

New census figures released in 2010 show a 55 percent boom in the number of Hispanics in Indiana, increasing from 214,536 to 389,707 in 10 years.The increase was even more pronounced in Marion County, which more than doubled its Hispanic population, from about 33,000 to more than 84,000.

The growth has been obvious in neighborhoods, retail areas and in schools."Certainly a large increase, just as I had suspected," said Carlos May, Indianapolis' director of Latino affairs. "Over 80 percent of (IPS School No. 96) student body is Latino." (http://www.theindychannel.com/news/census-shows-indiana-hispanic-population-booming)

Lizbeth’s Story Lizbeth Barajas is a Senior at Anderson University. She was a Young Life kid at North Central and became a YL leader at Westfield while in college. Her parents are first generation spanish speaking Mexican immigrants. While leading Young Life Lizbeth recognized that there was a significant population of Latino students at Westfield who had not been integrated into the school and certainly not into Young Life. So alongside Joe Snyder, Lizbeth started Vida Joven. Lizbeth, Joe and a few bilingual Christian teachers at Westfield put on a YL club in spanish every other week at the school after school for ~30 kids. Over time these students have now gone to YL camp and have merged in many ways with the greater YL community in Westfield.

Last year Lizbeth led a parent meeting with all spanish speaking moms and dads. One mom said "We love Vida Joven because my daughter wants to go to church with us for the first time" Another said "We love Vida Joven because we trust the leaders." 

A couple of years ago without any prompting Lizbeth shared her dream of starting Vida Joven in every school where we already have YL in Indy.

Lizbeth has the attributes we look for in any Young Life staff person.

The PlanLizbeth will initially have four areas of focus;1. Build on the work she has started with kids and leaders in Westfield2. Work with YL staff at existing schools to determine where will next replicate the

Westfield Vida Joven ministry. 3. Develop relationships between Young Life and the Hispanic community4. Personal and Professional Development for Lizbeth.