Frequently Asked Questions
What is YPAA?
History of YPAA?
Young People's Groups in Alcoholics Anonymous began appearing around 1945 in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and now they can be found all across North America. In 1958, a meeting of young AA's from across the U.S. and Canada started what is now the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA), and it has met on an annual basis ever since. At the 1960 AA Convention, Bill W. noted that the age of new members was much lower than when he and Dr. Bob founded AA 25 years earlier. In a letter to ICYPAA dated June 15, 1969, Bill wrote "... in recent years I have found nothing for greater inspiration than the knowledge that A.A. of tomorrow will be safe, and certainly magnificent, in the keeping of you who are the younger generation of A.A. today."
Alcoholism recognizes no barriers, age included. The first Young People Groups (YPG’s) in Alcoholics Anonymous appeared in 1945 in Los Angeles, California and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1957, at Niagara Falls, a meeting of young A.A.s from across the U.S. and Canada started what is now the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA).
Bill W., at the 1960 A.A. Convention, noted that the age of new members was much lower than when he and Dr. Bob founded A.A., 25 years earlier. In the letter written to the 12th ICYPAA in 1969, Bill W. is quoted
“I have found nothing for greater inspiration than the knowledge that A.A. of tomorrow will be safe, and certainly magnificent, in the keeping of you who are the younger generation of A.A. today.”
An ICYPAA pamphlet, in 1975, put the ages of people in YPGs in their twenties and thirties, with occasional teenagers. The trend has continued. In 1983, an A.A. survey reported 20% of respondents were under 31 years of age, and 3% were under 21. The number of ‘young people suffering from Alcoholism who turn to A.A. for help is continuing to grow.
What is ISCYPAA?
ISCYPAA is the Illinois State Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. It was founded in . You can see a lot of our history by visiting our Archive.
What is YPAA?
YPAA comes from Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. This usually means someone who has become an alcoholic or someone who has gotten sober at an early age, or an alcoholic who is young at heart. In general, no alcoholic is refused from YPAA based on age. We think that any members of AA, who are willing to grow in their sobriety, are young alcoholics.
Is YPAA part of Alcoholics Anonymous?
It depends on the group, as each group is independent, but once ISCYPAA's expenses have been paid and the prudent reserve has been refilled, ISCYPAA sends 100% of the money leftover to AA [GSO, each of the 3 areas in Illinois (Area 19, 20, & 21), and to other AA causes].
Young People's Groups in Alcoholics Anonymous began appearing around 1945 in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Philadelphia, and now they can be found all across North America. In 1958, a meeting of young AA's from across the U.S. and Canada started what is now the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA), and it has met on an annual basis ever since. At the 1960 AA Convention, Bill W. noted that the age of new members was much lower than when he and Dr. Bob founded AA 25 years earlier. In a letter to ICYPAA dated June 15, 1969, Bill wrote "... in recent years I have found nothing for greater inspiration than the knowledge that A.A. of tomorrow will be safe, and certainly magnificent, in the keeping of you who are the younger generation of A.A. today."
Alcoholism recognizes no barriers, age included. The first Young People Groups (YPG’s) in Alcoholics Anonymous appeared in 1945 in Los Angeles, California and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1957, at Niagara Falls, a meeting of young A.A.s from across the U.S. and Canada started what is now the International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA).
Bill W., at the 1960 A.A. Convention, noted that the age of new members was much lower than when he and Dr. Bob founded A.A., 25 years earlier. In the letter written to the 12th ICYPAA in 1969, Bill W. is quoted
“I have found nothing for greater inspiration than the knowledge that A.A. of tomorrow will be safe, and certainly magnificent, in the keeping of you who are the younger generation of A.A. today.”
An ICYPAA pamphlet, in 1975, put the ages of people in YPGs in their twenties and thirties, with occasional teenagers. The trend has continued. In 1983, an A.A. survey reported 20% of respondents were under 31 years of age, and 3% were under 21. The number of ‘young people suffering from Alcoholism who turn to A.A. for help is continuing to grow.
What is ISCYPAA?
ISCYPAA is the Illinois State Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. It was founded in . You can see a lot of our history by visiting our Archive.
What is YPAA?
YPAA comes from Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous. This usually means someone who has become an alcoholic or someone who has gotten sober at an early age, or an alcoholic who is young at heart. In general, no alcoholic is refused from YPAA based on age. We think that any members of AA, who are willing to grow in their sobriety, are young alcoholics.
Is YPAA part of Alcoholics Anonymous?
It depends on the group, as each group is independent, but once ISCYPAA's expenses have been paid and the prudent reserve has been refilled, ISCYPAA sends 100% of the money leftover to AA [GSO, each of the 3 areas in Illinois (Area 19, 20, & 21), and to other AA causes].
Letter from Bill W. to the 12th ICYPAA (International Conference of Young People in AA)
https://www.icypaa.org/faqs
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Is ICYPAA A.A.?"Yes, ICYPAA is a part of A.A., as are young people in A.A. committees at the state and regional levels, as long as the events they organize are run by A.A. members, for A.A. members, and there is no other affiliation. ICYPAA is listed in our confidential A.A. directories under 'Special International Contacts.'"
Reprinted from Box 4-5-9 (Vol. 54, No.1/February/March 2008, pg. 9) with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
"From time to time the General Service Office is asked if ICYPAA and young people’s groups are “part of A.A.” The answer is definitely yes. ICYPAA and its attendees are committed to reaching out to newcomers–no alcoholic is ever turned away, regardless of age–and to involvement in all facets of A.A. service. In most local A.A. meeting directories, young people’s meetings are listed along with others, though in some areas asterisks may identify them as YPGs. Members of these groups often can be found serving at the national, state, area and group levels. ICYPAA conventions and conferences are vital A.A. activities and as such are listed in the Box 459 'Calendar of Events.'"
Reprinted from Box 4-5-9 (Vol. 51, No.2/April/May 2005, pg. 7) with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc.
Does attending ICYPAA cost something? Do you have to pay to attend the meetings at ICYPAA?
Where does all the money go?
Why is ICYPAA a corporation?
What do you mean by young?
Is there childcare at ICYPAA? My son/daughter is planning on attending, will there be adults there to supervise?
When I register for ICYPAA, am I agreeing to anything more than just attending the Conference?
How can I get in touch with YP in my area?
What do I need to do to get a bid committee going?
I don't live near ICYPAA, is there any way I can help out?
I'm 15 and think I might have a problem with drinking but all of the people in the A.A. meetings here are so much older than me. Can I really be an alcoholic?
