There were many changes for the PYM youth staff over the summer months. Sadly, we said goodbye to Alix Vallery (MSF Co-Facilitator) and Clare Chalkley (YF Co-Facilitator), who have moved on to new adventures. Alix and Clare served PYM youth with such kindness and commitment, and we are so grateful for all that they contributed to our programs. We will miss them, and we wish them many blessings as they continue their life journeys.
As we say goodbye to Alix and Clare, we are so happy to welcome our new Young Friends Co-Facilitator, Ember Eldridge! Ember (they/them) has over a decade of experience facilitating youth programs, namely leading Quaker teen programs at BYM Quaker Camps and developing a leadership initiative for transgender youth at Duke University. Alongside their work with PYM, Ember is a social work intern at Haverford College’s counseling center, where they continue to support and empower young people in their emerging adulthood. Ember also enjoys making multimedia art, hiking, cooking, and playing Animal Crossing!
Youth will have the opportunity to get to know Ember and reconnect with other youth staff at the upcoming Young Friends Peace Fair and Overnight on September 21st-22nd, and at other PYM youth events.
Additonally, the Communications team at PYM is happy to welcome Isaac Garrison. Isaac (he/him) grew up in Eldora, Iowa. As part of the Iowa Yearly Meeting (Friends United Meeting), his parents participated in Quaker Ministry and ran that yearly meeting’s summer camp, Camp Quaker Heights.
Isaac earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. During his time there, he was actively involved in the Quaker Leader Scholar Program and worked at the Quaker Heritage Center. Isaac moved to New Orleans, Louisiana in 2015, where he worked in marketing and events, later shifting to a tech start-up. He now joins Philadelphia Yearly Meeting as Content Manager.
Isaac moved to the East Coast at the end of 2023 and has been settling into his new life. In his personal time, he enjoys exploring local craft and antique stores for inspiration or spending time with his husband, Amiel, and their two dogs, Ziggy and Lucci.
Friends will be able to meet Isaac at Fall Continuing Sessions on November 8-10.
