BIG QUESTIONS
This year, we’re diving into the big ones. Together.
Hey 6-12th graders!
We are a collective of middle school and high school youth in Salem-Keizer
who are creating a space where we get to be our fullest selves together.
We’re straight and queer.
We’re neurotypical and neurodivergent.
We struggle with our mental health sometimes.
We’re agnostic, Christian, and honestly, not always sure some days.
We’re learning to love people like Jesus did. It’s beautiful. And hard.
We participate in our local church and we love gathering with new friends from lots of churches.
We’re trying to figure out who we are.
What is life about? What kind of person do I want to be? What matters most?
We know that we can’t do life alone
and it helps to have friends & adults we trust around us.
If this is a space you’re looking for, you’re welcome anytime. Truly.
We’re in this together.
Welcome to the Salem Youth Collective!
Winter/Spring 2025
January 12: The Church & Race
3:30-5:00 pm at Offbeat Coffee
January 19: Family Promise Service Project
12:30-2:30 pm at Madison House
February 9: Super Bowl Party
3:30-6:30 pm at First Presbyterian
February 16: Guest Speaker
3:30-5:00 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
March 9: Some topic of great importance
3:30-5:00 pm at Offbeat Coffee
March 16: Laser Tag + Pizza
12:30-2:30 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
March 26-29: Spring Break Service Trip
Reedsport, Oregon
April 13: Holy Week Exploration + Games!
12:30-2:30 pm at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
May 18: TBD
12:30-2:30 pm
August 10-15, 2025: The Greatest Camp Ever!!!
Camp Adams in Molalla, Oregon
Named, Noticed, Known:
A Framework for Belonging
Sunday, October 12, 2025 | 12:30-2:30 pm
How do we cultivate spaces where our teenagers can experience belonging? Based on national research on teens and mental health, this workshop will present a simple framework that can inform how adults can accompany young people, in our ministries, in the community, and in our lives. This workshop is hosted by Rev. Chris Dela Cruz, with Youth Solidarity Movement (YSM), an initiative of Together Lab, and a partner with Salem Youth Collective. YSM cultivates community for teenagers and the adults who support them so that young people can experience belonging in Oregon.
Doubling as our fall kick off for the Salem Youth Collective, all rising 6-12th graders are invited to participate in pizza lunch with adult attendees, then they'll engage in connecting activities while adults work with Chris. We'll meet at St. Paul's Episcopal Church on 1444 Liberty St SE in Salem. 12:30-2:30 pm.
