History

 

Founded in 1983, YSOP is a non-profit organization rooted in the Quaker principals of integrity, equality, community, simplicity, and peace. Through our programs, which embody the importance of both experience and reflection, we offer unique programs where our participants learn about a serious problem and leave with a sense of responsibility to serve actively in their communities.

YSOP was founded in the same spirit as the original international Workcamp movement which began in the 1930’s – the idea of a broad movement of people of different faiths, countries, races, vocational and class backgrounds who would work together in service.

 

YSOP OVER THE YEARS

  • 1983 - YSOP launched at Community and Service Conference in NYC

  • 1983 Summer - First YSOP summer projects with students serving Haitian and Cambodian refugee children in YSOP sponsored day camps

  • 2005 - YSOP launched its program in Washington, D.C.

  • 2011 - 2011 YSOP involved 50,000th participant in service work

  • 2014 - YSOP has now served over 4,900,000 homeless and hungry people since 1983

  • 2020 Fall - Connex launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

  • 2022 Spring - YSOP Facilitators have led more than 200 students and 165 seniors in 125 hours of virtual conversations through Connex

  • 2023 - YSOP Connex made the switch from entirely virtual conversations to predominantly in-person service projects with a focus on engagement and community building

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