When people think of YCP, they usually think of the chapter in their local area first. They remember the monthly events like executive speaker series, networking happy hours, or faith-focused events and retreats that have become a staple in their city. Yet one of YCP's greatest strengths extends far beyond any single chapter.

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Across the country, young professionals are finding that going to events outside their home chapter opens the door to a community throughout the nation tied together by a common mission: integrating faith and work while building meaningful relationships rooted in Christ.

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Whether traveling for work, visiting family, or just looking around and visiting a city nearby, members are finding that YCP has a sense of familiarity wherever they go. For Michael Petruso, Assistant Director of Marketing for YCP New York City, that thought started with an invitation.

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A couple of summers ago, friends invited him to a YCP North Jersey happy hour in Jersey City. Living in Staten Island, the drive was very convenient, but what left the greatest impression wasn't the venue. It was the people.

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"What stood out to me was meeting people who were genuinely living their faith," Petruso said. "You'd walk into a conversation and hear people talking about Catholic tradition while still keeping it lighthearted. It wasn't performative. It felt authentic."

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Since then, going to North Jersey events has become a regular part of his experience with YCP. Outside of the events themselves, he shared that he has found real friendships that have even grown into professional support.

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"I've had friends from YCP reach out and say, 'I know you're looking for work, send me your resume,'" he said. "They're actively looking out for you because they genuinely want to see another Catholic succeed."

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That same spirit of connection has shaped Erin Kelly's experience as well. Living in North Jersey with family in Connecticut, Kelly has been able to attend events throughout her region by subscribing to multiple chapter email lists through the YCP Belong membership. Weekend retreats and regional gatherings have made it easy for her to experience different communities while still remaining connected to her home chapter of North Jersey.

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"The biggest benefit has been meeting people who share the same values," Kelly said. "It's refreshing to spend time with people who openly live their faith."

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She recalled how attending the YCP National Conference reinforced what she'd already begun experiencing regionally.

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"Seeing hundreds of young professionals together and watching new chapters continue to launch showed me how much YCP has grown."

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For Leonardo Gomez, YCP Dallas board member, attending events in other cities began almost by accident. While traveling for a wedding in Pittsburgh, he was invited by a friend to attend YCP Pittsburgh's first-anniversary celebration. Another trip brought him to North Jersey's annual gala and another to the recent Brooklyn Launch party.

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"It's been more opportunistic than anything," Gomez explained, "but it's made me realize how easy it is to experience different chapters when you're already traveling."

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No matter where he goes, he said one thing remains consistent.

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"Everywhere I've gone, the focus is the same: taking your faith seriously while meeting other like-minded Catholic professionals."

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That consistency, he says, is what separates YCP from many other traditional networking organizations.

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"People aren't there simply to collect business cards or see what they can gain professionally," Gomez said. "People are genuinely interested in building relationships."

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For chapter leaders like Alison Gould, President of YCP New York City, regional connectivity strengthens not only individual members but also chapters as a whole. With North Jersey, Brooklyn, Connecticut, and Philadelphia all within such close reach, neighboring chapters regularly support each other's events.

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"Our leadership teams stay in regular contact, sharing ideas, recommending speakers, and connecting one another with resources," Gould said. "Those relationships have become genuine friendships, which makes collaboration feel very natural."

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That collaboration extends beyond leadership meetings. Chapters share successful speakers, exchange programming ideas, and come together to celebrate one another's milestones, all strengthening YCP's mission across the region. Perhaps most importantly, Gould believes YCP offers something increasingly rare: a community that feels familiar no matter where you are.

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"One of the best parts of YCP is that you can travel for work or vacation, see a YCP event happening in another city, and immediately feel comfortable attending," she said. "Even if you don't know anyone there, you already know the mission, the culture, and the kind of people you'll meet."

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Across each conversation, one theme emerged again and again: showing up.

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Whether it's attending a neighboring chapter's retreat, stopping by an event while traveling, or introducing yourself for the first time, everyone emphasizes that taking the first step is often the hardest part, but builds into being the most rewarding.

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"Just show up," Kelly said.

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"Just go," Gomez echoed.

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As Petruso reflected, attending different chapters eventually becomes about much more than just expanding your own network.

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"You start realizing it's not just about what you get from YCP," he said. "It's about helping build relationships that bring people closer to God and help them serve Him better together."

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There's beauty in YCP's growing national network. While every chapter has its own local culture and community, each shares the same mission of helping young Catholic professionals grow in faith, friendship, and vocation.

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No matter where you find yourself, know you're never walking into a room of strangers. You're stepping into the same mission, lived out in another city. So, don’t overthink it. Just go!

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