New associate is a first-year student at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
by Kathy Melvin | Presbyterian News Service
Deidre Allen is a new mission associate with the Young Adult Volunteer Program. (Contributed photo)
LOUISVILLE — Deidre Allen, a native of Columbus, Ohio, has joined the Young Adult Volunteer Program as a mission associate. She began her duties Monday.
The Young Adult Volunteer program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people ages 19–30 in sites across the United States and around the world. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and bring about reconciliation. Alongside this work, they explore the meaning of their Christian faith and accountability to their neighbors in the community with peers and mentors.
Externally, Allen’s duties will include recruiting and retaining YAV alums into active engagement with the YAV program, especially as it relates to recruitment. She will work with the YAVA (Young Adult Volunteer Alumni) Leadership Council and other YAV alums to continue to expand the reach of the YAV program and engage YAV alums in mission advocacy work across the church.
Some of her internally focused duties will be helping to plan events related to the YAV program such as the annual orientation and transition programs. She will work with site coordinators to respond to the needs of volunteers before, during and after their year/s of service. In collaboration with Destini Hodges, coordinator of the YAV team, Allen will implement and execute a churchwide comprehensive recruitment and promotion to increase funds development and support.
Destini Hodges
“The YAV team is excited to have Deidre officially onboard and a part of our ministry,” Hodges said. “She brings a diverse perspective and a wealth of knowledge around chaplaincy, diversity inclusion and work with young adults. In a time when the Presbyterian Mission Agency is evolving, it is great to have a fresh perspective to have the YAV Program grow as a ministry to continue transforming young adults.”
Allen is a graduate of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She’s also a graduate of Columbus State Community College, where she received her associate of arts degree. She is currently studying at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where she is enrolled in her first year of the Master of Divinity program. Since the fall of 2021, she has served as a part-time chaplain at a skilled and assisted living facility.
Her love for nature and the great outdoors expanded to a love for hiking and exploring national and local parks and an appreciation for God’s beauty as she traveled solo to Louisville from Las Vegas, Nevada. During that time, she visited with friends and family throughout the United States.
Allen brings to the position her pastoral care, programming skills and networking abilities. She will work to help build and expand upon the program’s awareness and lift up equality, justice and diversity through recruitment and education.
There are currently seven national YAV sites and five international sites. In 2023, the Tucson, Arizona site will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Allen can be reached at deidre.allen@pcusa.org. Learn more about the YAV program here.
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