The Dominican Young Adults USA (DYA USA) is an inclusive organization for young adults (ages 18-30) focused on building the kingdom of God through community, prayer, study, and service, integrating Dominican spirituality into daily life. DYA USA aims to share the message of Jesus Christ, foster friendships, and address the needs of various local communities while encouraging individual growth and leadership among its members. With local chapters guided by experienced mentors, DYA USA provides opportunities for young adults to deepen their faith and actively participate in shared ministries.

1. The fun continues…

2.  We are young adults (18-30ish) who come
together to pray, be in community, preach,
and study together.
 We integrate our spirituality in our daily lives,
with an emphasis on the Dominican
spirituality.
 We like to have FUN!

3. Our Mission
Statement
Our mission as members of the Dominican Young Adults USA is to build the
Kingdom of God, which means to build a world where every person can realize their
full potential and live in communion. This requires our presence in all those places
where life is universally denied, and our commitment is to work to restore dignity to
those who have lost it.
DYA USA is a response to the desire to bring the message of Jesus Christ
to all men and women, therefore we are an inclusive organization open to all those who
seek Christ in their lives and desire to serve and pursue a closer relationship with Christ
and with one another.
DYA USA is made up of young adults who are attracted by Jesus and His
message and by the way of living out the Gospel preached by Saint Dominic. The
mission is to guide the formation of young adults interested in Dominican life, relying on
the knowledge, experience, and wisdom of Dominicans of all ages and dependant on the
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God must be the central axis of Dominican life; for this reason
it is a priority in all our DYA USA chapters to study it. This study must lead us, not only to
know the Message to be proclaimed, but also to know those who are going to receive it.
The fundamental guideline of our commitment is that of service. If anyone wishes to
build the Kingdom, they must seek to serve those in need. It is more a question of
accompanying than of leading, which requires offering opportunities for dialogue,
coming together, and reflection.
Friendship, the search for the truth through study and prayer, dialogue,
service to others and our living according to the values of the Gospel define our
chapters and our method of preaching. We trust in the aid of the Holy Spirit, and our
faith compels us to assist in the creation of a just and compassionate world, built on
faith, hope and love.

4.  To journey together with other young adults who are attracted
by Jesus and His message and by the way of living out the
Gospel preached by St. Dominic. The fundamental
guideline of our commitment is that of service.
 An inclusive organization open to all those who seek Christ
in their lives and desire to serve and pursue a closer
relationship with Christ and with one another.
 Friendship, the search for the truth through study and
prayer, dialogue, service to others and our living according to
the values of the Gospel define our chapters and our method
of preaching.

5. Vision Statement
DYA USA members are young adults who seek to share Christ with
their peers. We are the newest child of the Dominican Family. We
are Dominicans.
DYA USA is governed by elected members who guide
the organization. In addition to the formation of new members, this
leadership helps to bond the unity of the whole, as the body of DYA
USA is made up of many smaller organic chapter groups.
Each chapter of DYA USA provides a different response
to the needs of its location. Organized by young adults, with the
help of experienced campus ministers, chaplains, religious, and
other members of the Dominican Family, our basis is the four
pillars of the Dominican Life: community, prayer, study, and
preaching. Through prayer and reflection, the chapter searches to
continue formation of the individual Dominican. Though unique in
their walks of faith, these chapters seek the same goal through
their Dominican lives: to live for Jesus Christ. Holding to the pillars,
Dominic’s message has found a home within this generation in the
United States of America.

6. Local DYA USA chapters design their own meeting structure. The only
Commitment to the requirement is that some aspect of the “four pillars” be incorporated
into each meeting! Local needs and cultures add a great deal of
Four Pillars
diversity to the Dominican Young Adult USA experience!
Four Pillars of Dominican
Spirituality
 Prayer: Developing an
intimate relationship with
God through communal
prayer.
 Community: Having
people who support
you, challenge you, and
know how to have fun is what
DYAM community is all
about.
 Study: Gaining
understanding of your faith
helps put it into perspective.
 Mission: We’re called by
Jesus to share the Good
News of the Gospel through
a shared ministry to one
another.

8.  Preaching in Action College Conference
 Trip to Columbus, OH - 2007
 Trip to Madison, WI - 2008
 Trip to Portugal - 2009
 Trip to Chicago, IL - 2010

9. 2008 National
Conference
Representatives
from nine colleges
across the nation,
with previous
Preaching in
Action
Conferences in
common, came
together at
Edgewood College
in Madison,
Wisconsin to
officially form the
DYA USA Chapter

10. Founding
Governing
Board 2008-2010
President – Kevin Sullivan, Edgewood College
Executive VP – Kate Craig, Edgewood College
VP of Communications – Michelle Schultz, Dominican University
VP of Finance – Sean Mundy, St. Thomas Aquinas College
Chair of Formation/New Membership – Dan Breitfeller, ODU
Chair of Dominican Mission – Rachel DeBruin, Edgewood College
Chairperson of Social Justice Committee – Amanda Zurface, Ohio
Dominican University
At Large Member – AJ Vivian, Saint Louis University
At Large Member – Barry Reinholz, Ohio Dominican University

12. Location of Current DYA Chapters 2012

13. Local
Chapter
Local
Country
Chapter
Local
Chapter
IDYM Edgewood,
DU
WI
California
River
Forest, IL
USA
New York
Puerto Rico

14. Kevin Sullivan Sean Mundy Allie Jeffs Andrew Vivian
Formation Chair Communications Mission National
Chair Chair Coordinator

16. 1. Grab a friend or two –
form a group (chapter)
2. Find a mentor (member of Dominican Order)
3. Select a chairperson (young adult)
4. Fill out a chapter application
5. Sign a commitment statement (1 year)
6. Pay your dues ($5 a year - $1 International/$4 National)
7. Get sent a pin –You’re official!
8. You can vote at National Gatherings and
attend all International Gatherings!

18. A Future of the Dominican Order

19. International Dominican Youth
Movement (IDYM) Member States
 Bolivia  Korea
 Cameroon  Mexico
 Chile  Nigeria
 Ecuador  Pakistan
 Spain  Peru
 Philippines  Portugal
 Ghana  Congo
 Guadalupe  Dominican
 Ireland Republic
 Lithuania  Taiwan
 Venezuela

20. •In 2009, members of DYA, USA went to Portugal for the International Gathering of IDYM
•Recognized by the International Dominican Youth Movement as an official chapter!

23.  Teams of three DYA Members
 Visit High Schools, Colleges, and Parishes
 Spread the word about Dominican spirituality
 Travel across the United States

24.  Team members would share the
responsibility of writing a reflection on
the Dominican website
 Each team member would write one
reflection a month depending on the
number of people on the team.

25.  Every once in a while we need to take a chance and try
something new. This is especially true when it comes to our faith
lives.
 There are many faith support programs for teenagers, and
college students. However, very little is available for young
adults. The DYA USA is a response to this growing need in the
Church.
 You’re a busy person. Family, personal, professional and social
concerns take up so much of your time. Now take some time for
yourself and God.
 Continue to grow in your faith with others who experience the
same pressures, conflicts and questions.
 Join now! Check to see if there is a group that may be forming in
your area!
 The DYA, USA needs young adult leaders like you to help
establish the Organization in North America.
 Do it for you and most importantly, do it because it’s needed!

26.  Informative Website: www.dya-usa.org
 Facebook page: “Like” www.facebook.com/DYAUSA
 Facebook Group: Join us
https://www.facebook.com/groups/17306734296/
 Blog: http://dyausa.wordpress.com
 IDYM Informational Website: http://idymop.org/en/