Renee Zachar has diverse experience in youth ministry leadership across multiple settings, including as Coordinator of Youth Ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago. She is well-formed in catechesis and youth ministry catechesis through her education. Zachar is comfortable in various roles including program management, event leadership, teaching, and networking. She has experience developing youth programs, spiritual mentoring relationships with teens, and managing elements of communication and logistics for events.

1. • Diverse set of youth ministry leadership experiences &
settings.
• Has formation & capabilities in catechesis and
catechesis specific to youth ministry.
• Received excellent, multi-layered formation during
education.
• Comfortable in program management, event leadership,
teaching and networking roles.
Renee Zachar
3818 N Odell♦ Chicago, IL 60634♦ ren.zachar@gmail.com ♦ 360-509-0404
Highlights
Experience
Coordinator of Youth Ministry – Vicariate III
October 14, 2013-present♦ Archdiocese of Chicago ♦ Chicago, IL
• Lead the Spirit Day task force in reorganizing and implementing transition of Spirit Day administrative duties from
Archdiocese to Vicariate and parish level (in progress), in collaboration with the Office of the New Evangelization.
‣ Produced digital planning forms available online for ease of access and organization.
‣ Managed sounding boards on reorganization strategy resulting in positive feedback on the simplicity and
helpfulness of the transition and form automation.
• Managed elements of creating a pilot program for leadership skills formation for youth ministers, the Youth Ministry
Leadership Development Summer Institute in collaboration with the Center of Ministry Development.
‣ Resulted in 19 nominations for the scholarship program.
• Produced support for urban youth outreach in Vicariate III by connecting deans and Vicar with the best suited
ministry, Dirty Vagabond Ministries. Resulted in establishing their presence in St. Agatha parish community. (in
progress).
• Created a Theology of the Body for Teens retreat, resulting in one of the largest Vicariate 3 discipleship events for
teens with 70 participants in the first year. Collaborated with the Office of Respect Life.
• Developed a relationship with the Steubenville Youth Conferences by assisting the Core Team with chapel
preparation, in collaboration with Partnership for Youth.
• Produced hospitality for the NFCYM Annual Membership Meeting. Created elements of a positive experience that
produced great feedback and a working relationship with the NFCYM.
• Managed the creation of three youth ministry programs in parishes, establishing a relationship of support.
• Created digital communication tool for youth ministers and pastors resulting in more efficient communication.
• Designed (and re-designed) and implemented new Archdiocese Youth Ministry website, managed Facebook, Twitter
and Instagram accounts.
Resident Assistant, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director
February 2013 - Sept 20, 2013 ♦ Aid For Women ♦ Chicago, IL
• Managed administration of household; senior administration for both the counseling & executive office.
Director and Facilitator
2009- 2013♦ Franciscan LEAD♦ Various U.S. Locations
• As Director, managed the schedule and facilitator team, successfully implemented the curriculum.
• Produced talks on discipleship, guided teens in forming witnesses, developed spiritual mentoring relationships, and
led small groups of teens. Produced teens who majorly remain involved in their faith throughout college and beyond.
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2. Renee Zachar
3818 N Odell♦ Chicago, IL 60634♦ ren.zachar@gmail.com ♦ 360-509-0404
Experience (cont’d)
Youth Ministry Staff Assistant
Jan 2011- Sept 2012♦ Military Communities Youth Ministry ♦ Fort Lee, VA
• Created a new curriculum for Catholic Teen Religious Education semesters, expanding the Catholic influence in
ecumenical relationship.
• Developed spiritual mentoring relationships with teens, forming relationships that have lasted over time.
• Developed foundations of teen women’s ministry resulting in a well-reviewed event that incorporated all generations.
• Expanded middle school youth group threefold.
• Successfully managed logistics and communication for weekly, monthly and annual events. Gave talks, managed
elements of relational presence in school, led weekly bible studies, trained and managed volunteers.
Youth Ministry Volunteer
2010-2011 ♦ Our Lady Star of the Sea Youth Ministry ♦ Bremerton, WA
• Built relationships with teens, helped plan events, retreats and weekly meetings..
Education & Formation
April 2015 ♦ Theology of the Body Institute ♦ Ascension Press ♦ Techy, IL
• Completed Theology of the Body I: Head and Heart Immersion Course
2005.2009 ♦ Franciscan University of Steubenville ♦ Steubenville, Ohio
• B.A. Theology, B.A. Catechetics: Youth Ministry Concentration.
• Graduated with Honors (cum laude)
‣ Core Team Member, RE Class assistant – University Practicum
2008-2009 ♦ Steubenville EDGE Jr. High program ♦ Steubenville, OH
• Received guidance and feedback from university advisor while leading weekly catechetical talks,
spiritual programming and small groups ;planning, organizing and leading semester retreats.
‣ Discipleship & Community Formation
• Franciscan University Student Life: Four service trips to Haiti and Honduras, “sorority” Stella Mariae,
Catholic study abroad program in Austria, March for Life - D.C.
Training
Young Life Staff Training, MCYM Community Director School, VIRTUS Training, My Catholic Faith Delivered content editor.
Skills
Proficiency with social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram), digital communication platforms, (Mailchimp, Surveymonkey,
Squarespace, DotNetNuke 5 & 7 Website interface), Promotional media (photography, Adobe Photoshop), Microsoft Office
Suite (including Word, Excel, Publisher).