FOCUS North America Announces New Director of Youth Equipment to Serve (YES) – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

August 30, 2024 — FOCUS North America announces the appointment of Wadeed Fakhoury as the new director of its national program, Youth Equipment to Serve (YES).

YES is FOCUS’ national ministry for youth and young adults. It invites individuals to experience relational growth and service formation. YES offers these experiences to individuals and groups/parishes and is a crucial part of the new center’s development process.

Wadeed was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering from George Mason University. He serves as a subdeacon at Saint George Antiochian Church in Washington, DC, and as an assistant director of the Saint Nicholas Camping Program in Los Angeles, California. He has been involved with YES since 2014, starting as a participant and serving in various capacities.

Wadeed is dedicated to helping this ministry thrive and believes that YES is important because it allows everyone to make a difference. It also shows that service is love and that we can all love anyone and everyone in small but meaningful ways.

“It is a great joy to see the fruits of YES in Wadeed as a leader,” said Katrina Bitar, interim COO of FOCUS North America. “Our mission of equipping young people to serve is brought to life as he takes on this role as YES’s director. I look forward to supporting Wadeed and YES as they grow and thrive.”

“It is such a blessing to serve in this way the ministry that has given me so much throughout my life,” said Wadeed Fakhoury, YES Director. “I am excited to continue the work that has been established to equip youth and young adults to serve and love every person in the image of Christ.”

“We are thrilled to see Wadeed take this next step in his career and serve this vital ministry that played such a significant role in his formation,” said Steven Christoforou, interim executive director of FOCUS North America. “As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of YES this November, this leadership transition prepares us for an exciting new chapter.”

More information is available at yesnorthamerica.org as well as on YES’s social media accounts: facebook.com/walkwithYES and instagram.com/walkwithyes. Inquiries may be directed to (protected email).

About FOCUS: FOCUS is the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians United to Serve. A pan-Orthodox ministry affiliated with the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, FOCUS serves the poor by bringing together Orthodox Christian churches and community partners to provide food, occupation, clothing, understanding, shelter and other assistance to meet the needs of local communities. FOCUS operates nine FOCUS Centers across the country as well as Youth Equipment to Serve (YES).

Photo: FOCUS.