We’re empowering changemakers for the world.
who we are
Jubilee Year provides a personally and professionally transformative service year to young adults ages 21 to 29 who are inspired to change the world.
Serving the Greater Los Angeles area since 1991, JYLA has touched over 10,000 lives through partnerships with over 50 community-minded organizations. Through service, activism, interfaith engagement, and advocacy, we have been part of a powerful movement for justice in L.A. Through our continued dedication to service, community, and equity we’re empowering a new generation of changemakers for the world!
Though JYLA is partnered with and rooted in the Episcopal tradition, we are intentionally religiously pluralistic. Our program accepts, embraces, and encourages people of all faith, religious, and non-religious understandings to participate. Each year, we seek to build a corps that is representative of our diverse world. We believe that Black Lives Matter. We embrace those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and welcome people no matter who they love or how they identify. We don't discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
Our History
In his role as Bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, the late Bishop Frederick Borsch had been a longtime advocate of providing space for young adults that would foster personal growth, civic engagement, and vocational discernment. In the midst of social and economic upheaval that was punctuated by tension that would lead to the L.A. Uprisings, Bishop Borsch and Rev. Gary Commins believed the city could greatly benefit from service-minded young leaders.
In 1991, these two visionaries founded the Episcopal Urban Intern Program (EUIP) to answer this call.
Every fall since ‘91, hopeful young leaders have gathered from all over the world to live in intentional community and serve at community-minded organizations in the Greater L.A. area. Now, the program that began as EUIP has evolved into Jubilee Year (JYLA), continuing to empower the over 250 changemakers who have committed to service, community, and justice. For over 30 years, EUIP and JYLA have increased institutional capacity for local agencies, better equipping them to serve their community and live into a vision of Jubilee for L.A.
Through intentional service, community, and justice, JYLA endows young leaders with skills to transform their communities and the world - carrying on the tradition of EUIP and building a brighter future for us all.
Meet Our Team
Our staff are dedicated professionals with experience in and passion for leadership, pastoral care, impromptu snacks, heated board games, providing a shoulder to cry on, and comic relief (usually at their expense).
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Junmey Wang
Program Director
Hometown: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Stuff I love: Building intercultural relationship, learning the art of resting and playing, eating, cooking, sharing meals, enjoying the sun, taking strolls, and Latin dancing.
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Education: Dual-degree in Politics (B.A) and Economics (B.S) from Messiah College; M.Div from Emory University
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Payton Hoegh
Program Chaplain
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Stuff I love: Climbing, Hiking, Books, Cats, Politics, Illustration, not bios.
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Education: BA English Lit & Communications Emphasis in Journalism; MDiv from Claremont School of Theology
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Suzanne Edwards-Acton
Coordinator Emeritus
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Currently Obsessed With: Podcasts, Racial Justice, and Anglican Rosary
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Education: BA Psychology, San Diego State University; MA Pastoral Ministry, Seminary of the Southwest; MA School Leadership, Loyola Marymount University
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Jaime Edwards-Acton
Executive Director
Hometown: Hemet, CA
Brush with fame: Featured on Pod Saves America. Basically, famous.
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Education: BA Sociology emphasis in Activism, and Social Agitation, UC Santa Barbara; MDiv from Seminary of the Southwest