Young Friends, for middle and high school students, welcomes youth of every background to gather in a diverse community grounded in Quakerism.
Young Friends leadership, under the direction of the Religious Education program, strives to provide an environment where individuals can exercise their talents and skills, learn from one another, and navigate the teen years in a respectful, loving, and supportive environment.
Karin Heller, religious education director, coordinates the Young Friends program. For more information, contact her.
The Young Friends program is led by young adults who, not so many years ago, were active participants in New Garden’s Young Friends program. They understand the challenges presented by being a teenager these days, and they know how participating in a welcoming community of Friends can ease that journey.
New Garden’s Young Friends program seeks to help youth become more fully formed adults by providing the queries and tools necessary to grapple with teenage dilemmas. The program aims to build bridges and strengthen the bonds between participants, maintaining an active yet thoughtful group dynamic.
Calliope George
Calliope recently graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a double major in Dramatic Art and Communications. In school she had the privilege of studying in the Czech Republic, New Zealand, and Japan, where she caught the travel bug. Currently, she’s living in Greensboro, auditioning, and enjoying being close to the New Garden community she calls home. She’s thrilled to be taking on this position of leadership and can’t wait to learn alongside the great teens of Greensboro!
Favorite band: Fleetwood Mac & Highstrung
Mom or Dad’s favorite band: The Grateful Dead
Favorite food: Corn on the cob
Least favorite food: Is Ketchup a food?
Place you most want to visit: Greece
Best course in college: Latinx Performance Studies
Best advice you ever got: Make room for kindness.
What about being in Young Friends at New Garden was important to to you? Feeling welcome with Friends outside of happenings at home or at school.
Kelsey Lindeman
Kelsey, 27, graduated from Guilford College in 2017 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She is a veterinary technician working in emergency medicine with Happy Tails Veterinary Emergency Clinic. She has worked with a variety of nonhuman animals and now hopes to broaden her horizons as a Youth Leader for middle and high school students. She grew up attending New Garden Friends Meeting, was active in Young Friends, and hopes to perpetuate the happy memories she has of her experiences in today’s youth.
Favorite band: AJJ
Mom or Dad’s favorite band: The Beatles
Favorite food: Fried chicken sandwich
Least favorite food: Green peppers
Place you most want to visit: Mexico
Best course in college: Conservation biology or human sexuality
Best advice you ever got: What you loved doing at ages 8 or 9, you should probably do that in your life.
What about being in Young Friends at New Garden was important to to you? Connecting with my peers in a safe place without judgment.