Providing Chaplaincy to Youth and Young Adults Marginalized in King County

Book excerpt: Many young people in King County, Washington, are not connected to churches, schools, workplaces, and other organizations. Many of them live in povertyand they also lack education, skills, and spiritual care. They can be seen as dropouts from school and as homeless persons sleeping on business doorsteps, under trees, on sidewalks, and elsewhere. In this thesis project, Julie Lamay Vaughn, founder of Hope Angels Ministry, argues that marginalization occurs when people are systematically excluded from meaningful participation. As a result, they never get the chance to fulfill themselves as human beings. The thesis project seeks to answer questions such as: What are King County community leaders doing to help young adults who are marginalized? Why are young people marginalized in a variety of situations? What emotional and spiritual needs are being left unfilled? Lamay also shares qualitative and quantitative data as well as interviews from marginalized individuals. As a result of her findings, she will be equipped to provide greater spiritual care to those who need it the most.