YAM seeks to tend to the various needs of the various tiers of YA. The following can adequately define the YA aspect of ministry in SYYAM at St. Jude:

• It consists of young adults discerning their vocation to the single, married or religious life
• It is a collaborator of Youth Ministry through the SHWAY CORPS
• It provides a Christ centered community for young adults
• It empowers young adults to have a mature relationship with Christ
• It is a place for those interested in becoming Catholic to 'sample' the faith
• It is an invitation for Catholics who left, to return home
• It is a place of renewal
• It is a place to meet other Catholic young adults in and outside the parish

YAM at St. Jude utilizes the method of SHWAY being aligned with the goals and objectives of SYYAM. There is a thin line between YM and YAM withing SYYAM. There are often semantics and ambiguities regarding these definitions. Ambiguities to clear up include the following:

1. The term "Young Adult" does not include high school and middle school students
2. A young adult is someone between the ages of 18 (out of high school) and 35
3. There are 3 tiers of young adults that have vastly different needs to be tended to
4. Youth entering "Young Adulthood" need 'special ministering' within their transition

Being a young adult in YAM includes 4 dimensions of involvement:

1. Within YAM as a participant
   • Attends only YAM Communities as a participant to spiritually fed
   • Doesn't have any connection with YM
   • Cannot be involved with YM
2. Within YAM as Leader
   • Fulfills necessary leadership objectives during leadership cycles
   • Performs job description adequately
3. Within YM as a Leader
   • Serves as a YAM Community and retreat facilitator
   • Is required to go through the SYYAM Leadershp held during scheduled leadership cycles
   • Is required to be a member of the SHWAY CORPS
   • Is bound by the Code of the Corps
   • Must be in good standing with the Catholic Church
   • Serves as an ambassador, interpreter and translator (AIM) between SYYAM and parish
4. Within the parish and community at large as public servant
   • Is a participant in YAM
   • Makes themselves available for parish events representing YAM
   • Makes themselves available to serve the community at large at large work of mercy projects
   • Is involved within inter parish ministries such as liturgical ministries, Knights of Columbus, outreach, parish council, etc.