Spiritual & Mental Wellness

Community Outreach Chaplain
Programs to enhance spiritual and mental health, strengthen families, and foster youth engagement.

Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The office of the Community Outreach Chaplain offers a variety of programs to support the spiritual and mental well-being of Y members, staff, and our community.

Support services are available to people of any or no faith background. Thank you to all our faith-based and community partners who help make these services possible.

Tools to Build Your Faith in 2025

Prayer Path

Sunday, January 26 from 4:00-6:30 pm and Monday, January 27 from 7:00 am – 8:00 pm in Capitol Room

This is an open-house format in which participants can come anytime the Prayer Path is open. You will receive a printed guide to lead you through four artful, reflective stations of prayer. This is best completed individually, but pairs or small family units may complete the path together, if desired. Plan on 20-30 minutes for individuals to complete all four prayer stations.

Bible Study: Philippians

Staff and students from YWAM’s Bible study and training program will be leading us through an inductive Bible study of the book of Philippians Every Monday night in February from 6:30-8:00 pm in Capitol Room. Grab some friends and join us for some great conversation and learning. Members and non-members are welcome.

Family Faith Night: Feeding Your Family’s Face & Faith

Families with kids in the elementary or preschool stage of life are invited to join us Monday, February 10 from 5:30-7:00 pm in the Capitol Room. Let the Y invest in both your nutritional and spiritual health. Bring the whole family and we will feed you dinner at 5:30 pm. After dinner, a local children's ministry team will present a fun, interactive, Christian-based lesson focused on one of the Y's core values: caring, honesty, responsibility, respect. The program will conclude by 7:00 pm to get the family home and in bed! Space is limited so sign up soon.
his is a free, members-only event.

Book Discussion Group – Budding Lotus in the West: Buddhism from an Immigrant’s Feminist Perspective by Nhi Yến Đỗ Trần

If you’ve ever thought about the ways in which different religions both marginalize and empower women, and you enjoy discussing it, this group is for you. This particular book tackles this topic within Buddhism. Get your own copy of the book and join us for our first session on Friday, January 10 at noon. You do not need to complete any reading prior to the first session. This group is open to both Y members and non-members, so bring a friend. You are also welcome to bring a sack lunch, if needed.

Fridays from 12:00-1:00 pm on January 10, 17, 24, 31 in The Square

Book Discussion Group – The God of Wild Places: Rediscovering the Divine in the Untamed Outdoors by Tony Jones

If you love to read and discuss spiritual topics, this group is for you. Get your own copy of the book, read the introduction and chapter 1, and then join together for our first discussion on Thursday, February 6 at 12:30 pm. Feel free to bring a sack lunch, if needed. This book is about a career pastor (Christian) who went through a crisis of faith, left his church, and reconnected with God in the great outdoors. This group is open to Y members and non-members. Bring a friend or two!

Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 pm on February 6, 13, 20, 27 in The Square

Interfaith Peace Vlog

The Y’s Community Outreach Chaplain, Dr. Valerie Geer, and Salem Leadership Foundation’s Executive Director, Kyle Dickinson, are teaming up to bring you a monthly vlog series focused on the concept of peace. Each month’s vlog is an interview with a different local religious leader on what peace means to practitioners of their religion. Stay tuned for more details and a link to watch the first video.

Grandparents Raising Grandkids - A support and resource group

Grandparents Raising Grandkids meets October through May on the first Thursday of the month from 10:00-11:00 am in the Capital Room on the third floor. This is a support group that will also feature periodic guest presenters with expertise or resources useful to participants. This group is open to members and non-members who are grandparents raising grandkids.

We Are Not Alone - support group for adults with loved ones experiencing mental illness

We Are Not Alone is a support group for people who love and care about family members or other loved ones who have a mental illness. We meet October through May on the third Wednesday of the month from 4:00-5:00 pm in Studio B on the second floor.

Sometimes we feel like we can't talk to others about our loved one's mental illness symptoms because they won't understand. This group understands. You are not alone, and we can support one another. This group maintains confidentiality: what is shared in the group stays in the group.

Upcoming Programs to Look Forward to...

GriefShare Support Group
Class: Discover How You Best Connect with God/Higher Power
Good Friday Prayer Breakfast
Mental Health Expo