Moving to a new place can be a daunting experience. However, it does not always have to be that way. Wherever you go, there are other young Catholics who are also looking for a strong community. After Alison Gould graduated from college, she moved to Omaha, longing for a solid community post graduation. 

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Alison heard from a friend that the YCP Omaha chapter was hosting an event. After some consideration, she decided to go. “I went to the event and it was one of the first events that the chapter was hosting. I just kept going,” she said. 

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Inspired by the community she found, she started to get involved in her local chapter. “I got involved as the co-director of marketing. I just did that for a year. Then, I went to the conference that year.”

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In 2022, Alison received a call from God to move to New York. She took comfort in knowing that a YCP community would be waiting for her in the city. “I had seen that they were just starting a chapter and I had just moved in August. I eventually met a couple friends and they were going to an Advent party that the chapter was hosting,” Alison shared. 

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At the Advent party, Alison met Joe, who was the President at the time, and he shared that they were looking for someone to fill in a role. “I got introduced to Joe and I had said that I used to be on the marketing team in Omaha. He said was looking for someone to do marketing for New York,” she said. “It was awesome. I always thought about how this was a God moment.”

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This was only the beginning for Alison. God continued to guide her towards new opportunities and connections. The call to serve the New York YCP community persisted. She found herself stepping into new roles. “Eventually I was one of the VPs for the chapter for the last two years. Now, I am President,” Alison said. 

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When Alison first moved to New York, she did not see herself stepping into such a large role. However, it all happened so naturally. “The President role wasn't necessarily on my radar. It became something that was a possibility and I started to step into the role. I've really enjoyed it and I'm glad I had the experience as a VP. I'm excited for the year.”

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YCP New York recently hosted one of its networking happy hours. It took place after the Eucharistic procession hosted by the Napa Conference. The Napa Institute is an initiative dedicated to empowering Catholic leaders to renew the Church and transform the culture. The Institute's events are known for placing the Eucharist at their heart, offering time for worship and formation. “The idea for hosting a networking happy hour kind of just happened. It was conveniently timed and located by where the Napa procession was at St. Patrick's,” she said. 

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Alison spent that evening preparing for the happy hour. Though she missed the procession, the event was a success, highlighting the New York chapter's growing connection with the Archdiocese. “If you're a young Catholic in New York, I kind of joke that you could probably find something every day to go to. There's just stuff all around.”

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The city-wide connections that YCP New York has made with the diocese are what make that constant activity so accessible, bringing together various Catholic communities and events into a cohesive whole. “There’s a WhatsApp group that people are constantly posting events in. They might be just a parish specific event or all over the city. I think what's cool about having YCP in the city is that we draw from all parts of the community,” Alison said. 

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As President, Alison's goals for YCP New York are centered on accessibility and growth. She wants to continue to foster a place where people can come together to grow. “Our goal is to continue to be a space where people, wherever they're at in their faith journey, can feel like they can come to an event,” she said. "I want them to take away something positive about it, whether they've learned something more about the faith or maybe they made a new connection.” 

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For those just starting out as a young professional, or those moving to a new city, YCP offers an essential lifeline. With more than 40 chapters across the country, it provides immediate community. Alison's journey, from a newcomer in Omaha to the dedicated President of the thriving New York chapter, is a powerful testament to God’s providence. YCP provides young Catholics across the country with a vibrant place where you can integrate your faith, find fellowship, and realize that your daily career is a vital part of your vocation.