July 22, 2025
Youth For Christ NYC’s Juvenile Justice Ministry guides two siblings from incarceration to freedom
Daniel Sanabria, YFC NYC Executive Director: ‘We meet young people where they are — often in the darkest places — and introduce them to the power of authentic Christ-sharing relationships‘
NEW YORK —For 81 years, Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net) has engaged young people in authentic Christ-sharing relationships while walking alongside them through pivotal moments in their lives.
Perhaps no circumstance is as pivotal as incarceration. On any given year in the U.S., over 700,000 teens are referred to the juvenile justice system. Some will be sentenced to a corrections facility, others will be placed in a community-based alternative and many will receive probation.
YFC’s Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) is uniquely positioned to respond to this ongoing crisis. In fact, ministries such as YFC NYC are actually contributing to lower incarceration rates among juveniles.
Phillip Vellon, YFC NYC JJM Director, shared, “It is during these moments of crisis that our justice-involved young people are most open to uncovering God’s story of hope in their lives.”
Each teen’s story is unique. And sometimes they even share their story and journey with a sibling behind bars.
Daniel Sanabria, YFC NYC Executive Director, said, “Serving incarcerated youth through Juvenile Justice Ministry brings its share of heartbreak, but few moments are as sobering as meeting siblings behind bars. That was the case when we met two brothers. Both were living in separate group homes, facing up to 10 years in prison. Despite their circumstances, every conversation we had with them always seemed to center on one another — ‘Have you seen my brother? ‘Is he okay?’ But one question always lingered: ‘When will we be home together again?’
“Though their futures looked uncertain, our staff and mentors committed to walking with them every step of the way. We built relationships with their family, showed up in court and advocated for both of them through the justice system and in prayer.
“While incarcerated, both brothers attended our Public Readings of Scripture, enrolled in our entrepreneurship programs and ultimately both made the decision to follow Jesus.
“One brother was released and remained as determined outside as he was inside. He stayed away from the streets, continued asking questions about Jesus and never stopped believing that his brother would come home soon. After two long years, we sat with him and his family in a courtroom and witnessed a miracle: his brother was found Not Guilty and released immediately.
“Both brothers have remained focused, faithful and free. This spring, they took a major step toward their shared childhood dream — enrolling in trade school together, with the hope of one day owning a family business together.”
Vellon remarked, “At YFC, we praise God for stories like this. It’s what happens when we meet young people where they are — often in the darkest places — and introduce them to the power of authentic Christ-sharing relationships.”
Youth For Christ (YFC) has been a leader in missional youth outreach for 81 years and is dedicated to uncovering God’s story of hope in the next generation that desperately needs it. YFC reaches young people everywhere, working together with the local church and other like-minded partners to raise up lifelong followers of Jesus who then lead by their godliness in lifestyle, devotion to the Word of God and prayer, passion for sharing the love of Christ, and commitment to social involvement.
YFC chapters impact thousands of communities across the nation, seeking out and serving youth from all walks of life. Young people are silently struggling through a wide variety of challenging issues — and through the YFC ministry, God empowers them and they see the living power of a loving God. YFC trains its leaders in a proven, relational ministry model called 3Story®, which encourages staff and volunteers to be good news while also sharing the stories of the Good News of Jesus. It involves building relationships through the ups and downs of everyday life to lead people to Christ.
YFC has been a pillar of missional ministry since 1944, when Dr. Billy Graham served as YFC’s first full-time staff member. Since then, Youth For Christ has continued to be both a rural and urban ministry on mission, and it is always about the message of Jesus. Youth For Christ USA has over 113 chapters that impact communities across America and is one of over 100 nations within Youth For Christ International.
Learn more about Youth For Christ at its website, www.yfc.net, Facebook and Instagram pages or on Vimeo.
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To interview a Youth For Christ representative, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Robin Sprague, ext. 103.
