Vision & Mission
Building the Quaker Community We Want to Be
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting children, youth and their families will feel connected to and engaged with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and seekers will be drawn to our community, via programs and practices that provide for connection, engagement, and the invitation into deeper relationship with Spirit (also called God, the Divine, or the Light Within).
PYM demonstrates our commitment to community, accessibility, and the foundation of our Quaker faith by working together to provide youth of all ages with opportunities for meaningful participation in our Quaker community and support for their spiritual journeys. This mission is anchored in four pillars: Community, Accessibility, Quaker Faith and Values, and Meaningful Participation.
Children & Families (K-5th)
The Children & Families Program provides opportunities for children in Grades K-5 and their families to gather for fellowship, worship, learning, and service; we endeavor to form lifelong bonds to community, to Spirit, and to the Society of Friends. There are monthly programs, twice-annually family overnights at Quaker camps, and occasional “community playdates” and other events that gather families with children of all ages together with our wider Quaker Family of PYM.
Middle School Friends (6-8th) 
The “MSF” program provides middle schoolers in Grades 6-8 the opportunity to connect with one another across the yearly meeting. Together we create community, lift up and encourage youth leadership, and have ridiculous amounts of fun. It is hoped that by participating in the MSF program, they will come away with a better sense of what it means to be a Quaker, establish and maintain meaningful relationships with peers, and develop a sense of possibility for what being a Friend could mean for them in their lives today, and in the future.
Young Friends (9-12th) 
Young Friends is open to high-school aged folks in the PYM region to engage in community, spiritual exploration, personal and collective growth, and (perhaps most importantly), the fun and joy of being with other young Quakers and Quaker-friendly folks! The Young Friends program is directed by a dynamic collaboration between youth and adult leadership. Young Friends provides an opportunity for youth to experiment in and learn about leadership in a way that is distinctive to the Quaker community.
Friends Who Care For Youth 
Adults are companions to children on their journeys. The adults may be parents, grandparents, guardians, First Day program leaders and teachers, volunteer Friendly Presences, or simply allies and advocates for children. There are resources and communities for these Friends in the Yearly Meeting.