Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network

Polaris Young Adult Leadership Network A network of young Christian leaders cultivating relationships, creating resources, & sharing stories

Seven years of knocking, and seven years of hesitation. In Part 2 of her story, Destini Smith finally reckons with the c...
09/03/2026

Seven years of knocking, and seven years of hesitation. In Part 2 of her story, Destini Smith finally reckons with the call she's been running from and discovers that every detour was actually part of the plan.

"None of the stops on my journey were detours. The fears, the loneliness, the career changes… They were clues."

Will she finally say yes? Read Part 2 on our Substack 🚪✨ https://polarisleadershipnetwork.substack.com/p/knock-knock-its-god-part-2

09/02/2026

A new country, a husband in the ICU and a two-year-old in her arms with a baby on the way. As a social worker on hospital staff, Polaris participant Kyra Gonzalez was tasked with supporting a patient's spouse who found herself frustrated in an urgent care waiting room, with news that felt deeply overwhelming.

Advocacy isn't about changing everything overnight, but about being the person who stays in the room and listens. Being the person who holds a hand, and goes the extra mile to make a few calls. Kyra was told she may be "too sensitive" for Social Work, but she learned that her empathy was her greatest asset.

Kyra Gonzalez is a licensed social worker with experience across nonprofit, clinical, community, and faith-based settings. Kyra holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Eastern University and a Master of Social Work from Widener University. In addition to clinical work, Kyra is deeply engaged in church-based leadership, serving children, youth, and families in urban Harrisburg through programming, mentorship, and community partnerships.

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Congrats to Polaris leader Crystal Gonzalez for a successful community event last weekend providing back-to-school suppl...
09/01/2026

Congrats to Polaris leader Crystal Gonzalez for a successful community event last weekend providing back-to-school supplies and free cosmetology appointments for local families in her area!

🎒 110 book bags provided
💇‍♀️ 15 haircuts given
💅 30 cosmetology services provided
🥪 Over 200 lunches served

"What made this event a success was that everyone had their place and respected everyone's position" says Crystal. "We were all so ready to jump in whenever needed, and we were all so excited to give back to our own community".

Community care is a transformative practice, and Polaris is honored to be a supporter of this work - helping young adult leaders like Crystal make an impact in their communities of faith and beyond.

What do you do when God keeps knocking and you keep saying no? Destini Smith's newfound faith had her saying yes to eve...
09/01/2026

What do you do when God keeps knocking and you keep saying no? Destini Smith's newfound faith had her saying yes to everything: youth ministry, mission trips, a summer internship in Miami. But when a pastor told her he saw a preaching gift in her, that was a hard pass. She couldn't see herself as a minister, and she already had a vision for her future. But the knocking wouldn't stop...

This is Part 1 of Destini's two-part reflection on the calling from God she never saw coming. Part 2 drops Thursday. Read it here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-213600060

⏰ Only 3 days left to use code **EARLYBIRD** for 20% off registration of our Faith & Flourishing by Conference. The disc...
08/28/2026

⏰ Only 3 days left to use code **EARLYBIRD** for 20% off registration of our Faith & Flourishing by Conference. The discount expires Aug. 31 so act quick!

Today we’re spotlighting emerging scholar Alena Crawley and her Idea Talk, “Strengthening Relationships Through Faith and Culture.”

Drawn from her doctoral research on African American Christian marital resilience, Alena’s talk explores how faith, cultural identity, and community shape the way young adults navigate not just romantic relationships, but professional, familial and community bonds. She examines how inherited values, church teachings, and cultural narratives can either strengthen relational health or create tension. Her talk invites young adult leaders and their advocates to take a more proactive role in building healthy, resilient relationships BEFORE crisis hits. Check out her work at Dr. Alena M. Crawley 💗.

🏨 Note: Lodging on campus is still available at Erdman Center (Group ID 138086). Give them a call to reserve a room! ☎️

08/27/2026

"Jesus already died..." Not exactly what you expect to hear in a therapy session. But sometimes that's exactly what a young ambitious person needs to hear out loud.

Polaris participant Lauren Tucker was ready to step up when she thought her community needed her. Sitting in her therapists' office with her planner open, playing tetris with her schedule and the dozens of pre-existing comittments before her, she realized spreading herself too thin was exactly the opposite of what God wanted her to do.

Sometimes the most faithful thing you can do is step aside and understand it's not your moment to save the day.

Lauren Tucker serves as a pastor for youth and young adults at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, creating spaces where young people can ask honest questions, build meaningful relationships, and grow in their faith. Lauren moved to Atlanta after graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2024.

Follow us for more inspiring stories from young adult Christians navigating life and leadership!

08/20/2026

Good intentions without humility can cause harm. It’s an uncomfortable truth that Polaris participant Alex Winn learned on a Christian mission trip at age 15.

Real service incorporates the harder questions: Who is this actually for? Does this restore dignity, or take it away?

Alex could have ignored his instincts and said nothing, but instead he chose to speak up and have the hard conversation with his church youth leader.

Alex has a background in media, writing, and music. Alex studied journalism at the University of Florida, working as a multimedia journalist for various news and entertainment outlets. Alex now lives in Brooklyn, New York, and works for Thrive Collective, a nonprofit that creates hope and opportunity through arts, sports, and mentoring in and around public schools.

08/18/2026

Grace is easy to talk about when life is going fine. It’s a whole other thing when you’re standing in a funeral in India wondering why nobody was there to help your Grandfather at the end of his life. But we live in a world that crucified a perfect man, the Son of God himself. Humanity was never meant to be perfect.

Sharon Chacko relates a story of grappling with your own fury, and the struggle to forgive others and yourself when your heart is still broken.

Sharon Chacko is a physician assistant graduate student whose life is rooted in compassionate care, servant leadership, and community outreach. As the founding leader of the Pan-Oriental Orthodox Fellowship of Chicago, Sharon created the organization from a conviction that the church is one faith and one body, not meant to remain divided.

Follow us for more inspiring stories from courageous young adult Christians navigating life and leadership🌟

journey

08/18/2026

Grace is easy to talk about when life is going fine. It's a whole other thing when you're standing in a funeral in India wondering why nobody was there to help your Grandfather at the end of his life. But we live in a world that crucified a perfect man, the Son of God himself. Humanity was never meant to be perfect.

Sharon Chacko relates a story of grappling with your own fury, and the struggle to forgive others and yourself when your heart is still broken.

Sharon Chacko is a physician assistant graduate student whose life is rooted in compassionate care, servant leadership, and community outreach. As the founding leader of the Pan-Oriental Orthodox Fellowship of Chicago, Sharon created the organization from a conviction that the church is one faith and one body, not meant to remain divided.

Follow us for more inspiring stories from courageous young adult Christians navigating life and leadership 🌟

Address

64 Mercer Street
Princeton, NJ
08540

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 4:30am
Tuesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+16096881934

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