After the PNW UWF annual gathering, as the newly installed Program Resources Coordinator, I reflected on messages shared by presenters and leadership. While there were many inspiring and informative points, I remain drawn to the important ribbon of thoughts and ideas prioritizing children/youth and young adults.

UWF consistently prioritizes children/youth among those we serve through National Mission Institutions. We recognize the importance of healthy children/youth in all communities. Social action efforts, including efforts to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline, are intended to benefit children/youth. As a multi-generational organization, we offer youth curriculum at Mission u. The Reading Program includes identified children and youth selections.

Books, encompassing the reading program, help readers understand the world, grow in faith, and impact in meaningful ways. I encourage selecting 1-2 youth books as part of your reading. Read to understand the subject matter, but also consider what the book’s style, word choices, and content help you appreciate about the target audience of youth. Better yet, take opportunities to read with or share the book, then discuss it with youth. The insights we glean from the perspectives of others can be just as valuable as the words on the page.

I recommend the youth books Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (2024 list)

and Starfish by Lisa Fipps (2025 list).

This year, in the social action category, the youth book From A Whisper To A Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial That Galvanized the Asian American Movement by Paula Yoo is a bonus selection. Discussion questions appropriate for multi-generational conversation are in the Reading Program catalog. (uwfaithresources.org/prodDetail.cfm?productID=13204)

Finally, a special thank you to those, at the annual gathering, who contribute gently used reading program books for resale – a wonderful reuse/recycle effort, and the monies are used to support the UWF mission.

Kathy M. Johnson
(304) 667-4820
kmjwvmo@gmail.com