youth

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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."

ICYPAA was founded for the purpose of providing a setting for
an annual celebration of sobriety among young people in AA.
Since its inception, a growing group of people, who at first
would not consider themselves as "young people," has become
regular attendees. The number of young people suffering from
alcoholism who turn to AA for help is growing, and ICYPAA
helps to carry AA's message of recovery to alcoholics of all
ages. This meeting provides an opportunity for young AA's
from all over the world to come together and share their
experience, strength, and hope as members of Alcoholics
Anonymous. AA members who attend an ICYPAA return home
better prepared to receive young people who come to AA
looking for a better way of life.

ICYPAA provides visible evidence that large numbers of young
people are achieving a lasting and comfortable sobriety in
Alcoholics Anonymous. The three legacies of AA -- Recovery,
Unity, and Service -- are the backbone of ICYPAA, just as they
are throughout AA. ICYPAA has a long history as an
established AA conference. It regularly contributes to the AA
General Service Office, as well as to the Area Service
Structure in the local areas where it is held. ICYPAA and its
attendees are also committed to reaching out to the newcomer,
and to involvement in every other facet of AA service. ICYPAA
participants can often be found serving at the national, state,
area, and group levels. Newcomers are shown, by people their
own age, that using AA principles in their daily lives and getting
involved in AA service can have a significant impact on a
lasting and comfortable sobriety.