ABOUT US    |   CHAPLAINS TOOLBOX

The National Chaplains’ Association for Youth at Risk (NCAYR) is in its 59th year of support for ministers to youth in youth-serving agencies throughout the nation. NCAYR began in Chicago in 1948 with a small conference of chaplains from training schools in New York, Michigan and Chicago. Four chaplains began the association that grew into a network of approximately 150 members over the years and annual conferences were held in 15 different States.

The recession that struck the nation in 1970’s led to budget cuts in many state governments and to a cancellation of the annual conference scheduled in Ohio in 1975. The chaplains in New York State composed a remnant of the association that restored the annual conference in 1978. From 1978 through the 80’s and the 90’s, the conferences were held in New York State with the faithful remnant. In 2000, the conference was moved to Indiana for the first time, drawing a larger membership from the Midwest and restoring the national dimension to the association. Subsequently conferences were held in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Michigan, and Ohio. Membership has grown back to more than 50 members in 15 States.

The Association created a quarterly journal, the NCAYR Digest, in 2003, to enhance the mission of the Association by increasing support and sharing of ideas on a regular basis, in addition to the annual conferences. We are currently celebrating five years of the Digest this year and 60 years of the Association next year.

We seek out ministers from every youth-serving agency in the nation to join our Association and to increase our sharing of support and ideas for our common mission to advocate for quality spiritual support for youths at risk.