GOWANUS — More than 400 working professionals from the Diocese of Brooklyn turned out on May 28 to launch the newest chapter of Young Catholic Professionals. 

YCP Brooklyn is the 45th chapter of the national organization that helps Catholic workers in their 20s and 30s grow closer to their faith as they endure the joys and struggles of their respective careers. 

Bishop Robert Brennan offered a prayer and blessing for the young professionals from Brooklyn and Queens, plus at least one from Long Island, at the venue called 501 Union, a short stroll from the Gowanus Canal. 

It was a multicultural event, with Catholics representing various ethnicities and both white-collar and blue-collar professions. 

Ismenia Ginebra of New Hyde Park, New York, is a Catholic career coach who helps women in their mid 20s navigate job moves. She said there is no YCP chapter on Long Island, so joining the Brooklyn chapter was a great fit for her.  

“It means so much to be part of the beginning of a new chapter here,” she said. “I’ve been to the Manhattan chapter a few times, and that’s been so nice to be part of something that’s already established. 

Ginebra noted that there’s something “special” about being a part of a new community.
“To see that the faith is so alive here in this part of the city is just a testament to how much work God’s going to do here,” she said. 

Peter Blute, executive director of YCP, which is based in Dallas, attended the launch party to welcome the new members. He described how the group’s founder, Jennifer Baugh, had a career, but in 2010, she felt God was calling her to create YCP. 

“She quit her full-time job and embarked on this unbelievable journey,” Blute said. “Back then, she had no idea that this would eventually spread to 45 cities across the country, literally from coast to coast.” 

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YCP has chapters in large cities like Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. They all host networking events, happy hour get-togethers, mentorship programs, and conferences with guest speakers. 

“YCP continues to get better and better,” Blute said, “and it’s much better now that Brooklyn and Queens are part of the family.” 

Steven Mezzacappa, the northeast regional chapter manager of YCP in Manhattan, said the group’s aim is to inspire “modern-day saints” by equipping members to integrate faith into their professional and personal lives. 

“Their faith isn’t just for the weekends, it’s not for home, it’s in every area of your life, especially at work,” he said. “It’s all about bringing together people of like-minded values and building community.” 

Mezzacappa said members explore hard topics, such as virtuous leadership in secular workplaces. 

“It’s not a journey that you embark on alone,” he said. “It’s a journey that you embark on in fellowship and in community with other people.” 

Kiana Carrington of Mill Basin, a chapter president, joined the launch team three years ago. She is an event strategist who, as a child, attended Holy Cross Catholic School in

Flatbush, Midwood Catholic Academy in Marine Park, and Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School in Windsor Terrace. 

Carrington said YCP has a missionary aspect because it inspires Catholics to rekindle their faith, while drawing others to join the Church. 

“I wouldn’t think of myself as an evangelist,” she said, “but this is exactly what the mission is — bringing people back into the Church and also serving as a funnel into other ministries throughout the diocese.” 

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Bishop Brennan told the audience how their chapter’s launch was a “dream come true” because efforts to form the group were in their opening stages when he was installed in late 2021. 

But he already had experience with YCP, having supported its Columbus, Ohio chapter during his time as bishop there. He said that chapter members reached out to him soon after he arrived and helped him learn about the people and geography of the Diocese of Columbus. 

“They became a network of great support, enthusiasm, and excitement,” Bishop Brennan said. “So, when there was some chatter about possibly starting a YCP chapter here, I was all in.” 

The bishop also helped arrange start-up funding by enlisting the Catholic Foundation of Brooklyn and Queens and its executive director, John Notaro. 

“I dreamed about this day,” Bishop Brennan told the chapter’s charter members, “and you’ve exceeded my greatest hopes.”