Finding Community, Growing in Faith: A YCP Chicago Journey
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From Luis Alejo's Testimonial at the 2025 YCP Conference Gala
Check out Luis' LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejocluis/
Hello, everyone! It’s truly exciting to be with all of you here this evening. This is my third time attending this conference, and every year I am amazed by the energy and enthusiasm in the room and the growth of YCP. I’m especially proud of the Chicago Chapter which is doing an incredible job, and I’m proud to be a part of it.
Chicago has been my home for the last eight years, ever since I graduated from Ave Maria University in Florida. When I first moved to Chicago, it felt so big, so busy. And honestly, it also felt a bit lonely. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s felt that way—especially when you’re in a new place and don’t have a close-knit group of friends or a community.
In those early months, I found myself wandering from church to church, hoping to find a Catholic community. But that connection didn’t happen immediately. I started to feel discouraged, thinking maybe I had made the wrong choice in moving to Chicago. The loneliness began to creep into every aspect of my life, and I noticed a decline in my reverence for the sacraments. I was, quite frankly, drifting away from my faith.
But one day, I realized I couldn’t keep going down that path. I wasn’t doing enough. I wasn’t being intentional in my search for community. So, I took action. I pulled out my laptop and typed into Google, “events for Catholic young adults.” And sure enough, YCP Chicago came up and was having a networking happy hour event scheduled for the next week.
Now, I’m not going to lie—when I saw that event, I was terrified. Most of my life, I had been quiet and shy. The thought of walking into a room full of strangers was daunting. I didn’t know if I’d make any friends. I’m sure many of you have felt that same anxiety before. But I was determined. I needed to meet new people and find a community. So, I pushed through the fear and showed up.
That first YCP event was everything I had hoped for and more. I met incredible people who are still my friends to this day.
Month by month, I looked forward to attending the next YCP event. Slowly but surely, I began meeting more people, and more importantly, I started to reignite my passion for the sacraments. I had found a community that shared my faith, my values, and my desire for growth. The inspiring speakers at YCP, who shared their struggles and how faith helped them overcome challenges, continued to deepen my own faith. I even met priests who helped nourish my spiritual life—one of them nearly convinced me to join the Jesuits!
My faith was on fire, and I wanted to keep that flame alive. So, I decided it was time to give back.
After the pandemic, I joined the Chicago Leadership Team, knowing that I needed to contribute to the community that had given so much to me. Even though I had no prior leadership experience, I started as the Director of Finance. One year later, I became President of the Chicago Chapter.
During this time, I learned how to lead with Catholic values. I learned how to be more assertive, more confident, and more focused on serving others with my best ability. And this leadership development didn’t just stop at YCP—it bled into every area of my life—even leading to multiple promotions at work. So, if you’re looking for professional growth or career advancement, I strongly encourage you to give back to your community and consider joining the leadership team. It will open up doors you would have never expected and will show you how your small actions can make a huge impact.
This year, I decided to take another step forward by joining the Board of Directors, with the goal of continuing to support the vital mission of YCP. Oftentimes, people ask me, “How can I get involved?” And my answer is simple: just keep showing up. Your presence and participation are what keep YCP thriving. Every time you attend an event, you’re helping to build something bigger than yourself. And if you really want to make an impact—invite a friend, a coworker, someone who might be searching for what you once were. That simple invitation could be the spark that changes their life, just like it did mine.
YCP has never been just about attending events or holding titles—it’s about the community. The impact it has had on my life over the past eight years is truly immeasurable. Thanks to YCP, I can now say that while Chicago is still big and busy, I no longer feel lonely. I’ve found my place here. I’ve found my Catholic community. And most importantly, I’ve found my mission.
Don’t miss your chance to experience the same kind of transformation at this year’s YCP’s Conference!
Register today to connect with Catholic young professionals from across the country, grow in faith and leadership, and be part of a community that could change your life.