YFC High School Program

RATIONALE CFC YOUTH FOR CHRIST THE MINISTRY Seven Years ago, CFC Youth for Christ, then a parish/ community based organization, felt a calling to even more actively and deliberately reach out to the youth. As a result, the College/ Campus and High School Programs were established in several major high schools and campuses in Metro Manila, and many of those schools High School Clubs were blessed. Students grew in their love for God. Families were reunited. Lives were changed by the ever transforming, redeeming love of God. CFC Youth for Christ feels stronger Gods call to share this same love not only to its members but also to the whole school that more may experience the life and growth that has made us better persons in accordance with the mission and vision of Youth for Christ and of the schools weve come to call our second home. In responding to this call, we find ourselves radically readjusting our structure and activities in such a way that the blessings we receive will be made available to the entire school population. Heres a more detailed write-up on the ministry: What is YFC? CFC Youth for Christ (YFC) is a family ministry of Couples for Christ (CFC), a Catholic charismatic community and family life movement. It owes its existence, identity, mission and vision to CFC as it exists as a partner in evangelizing the young. YFC finds itself in the forefront to counter this trend by creating an alternative environment that will complement what is being taught at home and in school. It utilizes creative approaches that take into consideration the youths nature, interests, needs and gifts in order to attract them to a life with God. As a family ministry of CFC, Youth for Christ aligns itself in the vision of forming families in the Holy Spirit renewing the face of the earth. Why was YFC established? YFC began when the parents in the CFC community saw the need for their children to also be involved in community. They organized a program for young adults which initiated then into the group and later on empowered them to lead and run the activities. When and where did YFC begin? CFC Youth for Christ was formally launched in June of 1993. 13 years after CFC was established, as CFCs family ministry for the young. YFC soon found itself established in the different provinces and countries by 1994. In the same year, YFC started its Highschool program by working closely with the RVM sisters in St. Marys College, Quezon City, its pilot school. In 1995, YFC began its work in the campuses starting with the top universities in

Metro Manila such as De La Salle University, Ateneo De Manila University, University of Sto. Tomas and University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila.

Who are invited to YFC? YFC is open to any youth whose age falls within highschool and college ages (13 to 22), regardless whether their parents are with CFC or not. YFC is a Catholic group that welcomes young adults regardless of their family background, financial or social status and even to a certain extent, other Christian denominations. How can YFC benefit the Highschools? YFC offers an alternative peer environment for the students, which supports the schools thrust of academic excellence and spiritual formation. YFC achieves this by existing in the school as a club or an affiliate of the campus ministry where membership is open to the students who want to be part of the program. CFC YOUTH FOR CHRIST THE HIGHSCHOOL PROGRAM Objectives of the program are as follows: 1. Introduce YFC as an alternative peer environment for the high school students. 2. Invite the members to a deeper relationship with Christ and challenge them to love, honor and serve God, their family, their brothers and sisters in YFC, their school and their country. 3. Build and train student leaders who will lead YFC and witness the Christian life to their schoolmates. 4. Provide sustainable, fun, and meaningful activities within the school to help members grow in their Christian and personal life and service to God. 5. Link the school-based program to the mainstream YFC Ministry found in the community; for it to be supported, updated and guided. 6. Link the school-based program with other high schools and universities with YFC presence for the members to appreciate and be inspired by their YFC brothers and sisters and for the members to be supported by college YFC the moment they graduate from high school into college. 7. Involve parents and faculty in the spiritual growth of the club members. THE HIGHSCHOOL PROGRAM - ACTIVITIES Detailed below are the activities, methods and structure that we feel will most allow us to achieve this mission:

CLUB MEETINGS These meetings will involve fun, inspiring and spiritual activities and strengthening bond and friendship among members. Some of the meetings will also be used to plan major activities that will be offered to the whole school. YOUTH CAMP RETREATS The Youth Camp is a regular two-day, two night retreat, which explains basic Christian life principles in a youthful manner and initiates participants into a deeper and personal relationship with God.

PRAYER ASSEMBLIES The assemblies will be designed as a follow-up program to the camp in order to teach students how they can practically live out their faith in their everyday circumstances at home and in school. SPECIAL PROJECTS YFC will sponsor projects / activities that reflect the mission / vision of the school and YFC. It will fall under at least one of the following: a) PASTORAL projects that enrich Christian culture b) SOCIAL projects that support community programs such as Work with the Poor projects c) POLITICAL Projects that promote good governance and good citizenship d) ECOLOGICAL projects that develop students to become good stewards of Gods creation. YFC COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES These are activities conducted by YFC for its general membership on a regular basis for leadership training, Christian fellowship, pastoral nourishment and empowerment.

TEACHING COMPONENTS: (a) PASTORAL Projects that will enrich YFCs Christian culture and component. (e.g. sponsoring masses, religious for a, exhibit, etc. (b) SOCIAL Following Christs words of Bringing Glad Tidings to the Poor, CFC Youth for Christ worldwide community has established sustainable Work with the Poor projects. Each YFC High School club may come up with projects that support this program (e.g. tutorials, raising funds for scholarship of streetchildren, or home improvements of the squatter areas of Couples for Christ, etc.) (c) POLITICAL Projects that promote good governance and good citizenship through helping in nation building (e.g. Leaders Forum, etc.)

(d) ECOLOGICAL This project aims to develop students to become good stewards of Gods creation (e.g. Cleanliness Drive, Waste Management, etc.)

Structure involving School Administration

t u d

e n

c t iv i t ie

i g h S c h o o l m H e a d a l O f f i c e ) n a t o r

C H i g h S c h o o

lu b l C

d e

r a t o r o l P r o g r a m V o lu n

o o H r di g i nh a S t o c r h o

P E x e c u t i v e V

r e s i d e ic e P

n t n t

r e s i d e

v a n

g e

l i z a t iV o Pn

I n

t e

r n a

ls V

p e

c i a l

r o

je

c t s

e m

b e

r s

e m

b e

r s

e m

b e

r s

MODERATOR Is a teacher in-charge of the club assigned by the school. Guides the core group and members in following the rules and regulations of the school. He/ she makes sure that the activities are not in conflict with school activities schedule. Grades the club members according to performance and participation in the activities/ projects of the club. PRESIDENT Rallies the club and makes sure that the members remain focused on the vision and programs of the club to uplift the lives of the student body by effecting personal renewal among the students and in effect in the whole school. Suggests grades to the moderator. EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT (EVP) Is the assistant to the President. Makes sure that the plans are in line with the mission and vision of the school. Is President in training for the succeeding year.

VP EVANGELIZATION Responsible for the evangelization thrust of the school. Schedules and takes care of the needs of the youth camps and facilitators training for the school. Responsible for providing the service team, and helps identify resource speakers for the retreats and recollections requested by the school. VP INTERNAL Prepares logistical needs and materials, and identifies resource people for the club meetings and the different assemblies. Keeps the list of the members, checks attendance and keeps records of the minutes of the meetings. VP SPECIAL PROJECTS Organizes and manages special projects for the school. Identifies talents for dance, music ministry, and other related creative areas. HOUSEHOLDS Members will be grouped into teams that will implement the projects of each VP. These teams will also be the main peer support group designed to help each member of the team realize and practically live out what they learn in YFC. Non-members of the YFC Club who will attend the camps will also be grouped into smaller team groupings. However, unlike the YFC Club teams, these are mainly for Christian life peer group support. HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS Is a YFC college student, preferably an alumnus of the school. Visits the schools to guide, inspire and build up the core group and the club members in accordance with the mission and vision of the CFC Youth for Christ and the school. Serves as the ate or kuya of the members. Brings in new ideas and direction of the CFC Youth for Christ community. HIGH SCHOOL BASED FULL TIME WORKER/MISSION VOLUNTEER May be present when starting the high school based program in a particular school Serves as a member of the think tank for the program initiating, planning, and implementation of provincial/metro manila wide high school events Part of the service team during provincial/metro manila wide high school o events Monitors and tracks the progress of all schools in his/her area

Cascades direction of program to the program sector couple coordinators and sector youth heads Reports progress of his/her area to the YFC International Program Head May be present during service meetings or households under his/her area Facilitates training for all the people involved in the HSB

SECTOR PROGRAM YOUTH HEAD Appointed by the YFC PCC and PYH / OSCC and OSYH upon the recommendation of the High School Program Heads. Oversees, trains, encourages & witnesses to the High School Program Volunteers (HPV) regarding the program. Recommends High School Program Volunteers to the YFC High School Based Program Couple Coordinators. Reports to Full-time workers and Mission Volunteers in his/her area regarding status and progress of schools in his sectors. Cascades program direction directly to the High School Area heads/HPVs HIGH SCHOOL COUPLE COORDINATOR Is a member of the Couples for Christ community preferably a parent of a student in the school, or an alumnus of the school. Links the members of the school to the bigger family of Youth for Christ. They serve as the adult companion of the students for the activities of Youth for Christ outside the school premises. Organizes parents/ CFC Chapters to support the activities of the club.