International Youth of Unity (IYOU) 2026 - Sonder with Love

Join us for a week of spiritual growth and connection with YOUers worldwide as we deepen self-awareness, community, and spirit.

Sonder with Love

Join the 2026 Indie team for a week of deepening spiritual practice and connection with YOUers from around the world, while we learn to understand ourselves, others, and our spirituality on a deeper level.

Vision Statement: As the IYOU Indie team, we envision IYOU 2026 as a radical event based in positivity, sharing Love and Zeal with mindful compassion; providing a thought-provoking experience that encourages each person to experience growth in their divine self; where everyone feels welcome and open to new experiences and connections they can take home with them that will last a lifetime.

Meet the 2026 IYOU Indies!

Joey Short, Great Lakes Region

Hello! My name is Joseph Alexander “Slightly Below Average Height.” I’m from all over, but right now I live in Indiana. I attend Unity of Louisville, where I have been a committed member for almost my whole life. One might say I'm a Uni-fetus!

I’ve been doing my best for my Unity community for a while, with hours of volunteer work and a hand always out to help. Last year I served as one of the regional officers for the Great Lakes Region YOU, along with my two cohorts, Alex Bornstein and Maddie Chapman.

I am a free spirit, so I'm ready to go where spirit beckons me! Right now I think I want to be a hospital chaplain under the Unity mantle. Some of my hobbies are reading, spending time with friends, and learning more about people. I can’t wait to see you in July!

Emma Green, Southwest Region

Hiya! My name is Emma Green, born and raised in California. I currently attend Unity of Tustin in the Unity Southwest Region.

I have been a part of Unity for almost 2 years, and it has had such a big impact on me as a person. It has given me so much life experience that I wouldn't have been able to get anywhere else. Unity really helped me grow and I am able to evolve as a human. I am forever grateful for the effects Unity has left on me.

Some of the things I really enjoy are thrifting, fashion, and doing my makeup in fun and different styles.

I am so thrilled to be able to have the role of an Indie! I hope this year will be one of the most memorable for you! Can’t wait to see you at IYOU 2026!

About the Musician

John Stringer

John Stringer is a speaker, musician, and award-winning author who inspires people through music, creativity, and faith. A graduate of Morehouse College, he is a Billboard-charting singer-songwriter whose music has reached the Billboard Top 10 and been featured on major television networks. He has toured internationally, including performing for the U.S. Armed Forces, and has appeared in national magazines such as Rolling Stone, VIBE, SPIN, and Vanity Fair.

Through his songs, speaking, and coaching, John encourages people to live with purpose, creativity, and alignment with God. His work has earned recognition including a Posi Award nomination for his music and international bestselling status for his book INside Effects: How the Body Heals Itself, Volume 2. Today, he continues sharing messages of hope, love, and connection with audiences around the world.

Eligibility Requirements

As a teen participant, to be eligible to attend IYOU 2026, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be a member of a YOU chapter, or active in a Unity ministry or New Thought spiritual center and have ministerial endorsement.
• Be between the ages of 15 and 19 and attending high school during the current school year.
• Attendance at a prior in-person or virtual regional YOU or IYOU event is highly recommended.
• Have performed service in your Unity ministry, spiritual center, or local community.

As an adult participant, to be eligible to attend IYOU 2026, you must fulfill the following requirements:

• Be at least 25 years old.
• Have attended the IYOU Event Sacred Safety online training or watched the recording of the training. (Training will be offered in June.)
• Have on file with your home ministry a background check done within the last two years.
• Be a designated event sponsor at the event. This means that you are the adult responsible for one or more teens at the event. (Note: You can be the designated event sponsor for teens from another ministry.)
• Be willing to accept a role of responsibility assigned by the IYOU leadership team during the event.
• Be open to being assigned to whatever rooming situation best serves the event.

Registration Information

Deadline – June 15, 2026 | Registration fee – $375 | Registration fee covers:

• Event registration
• Meals Sunday, July 19 dinner through Thursday, July 23 lunch
• Accommodations at the Unity Village Hotel & Conference Center

Payment Plans

When you purchase your ticket, you will be given payment plan options at the sales screen.

Registration Confirmation

Once your completed registration is received and processed, a confirmation email will be sent to you. This email includes links to other forms that must be completed as a part of the registration process. Please be sure your email address is correct on your registration.

Early Arrival/Late Departure

If you will be arriving at Unity Village prior to July 19 and/or departing after July 23, you are responsible for any hotel charges for those additional nights. Please call the hotel directly at (816)-347-5537 to make your reservations.

Written or emailed cancellations received by June 19 will be refunded minus $100 processing fee. No refunds after June 19, 2026.

Helpful Things to Know About the 2026 IYOU Event

IYOU 2026 will be held at Unity Village, Missouri.

Attendees will stay at the Unity Hotel and Conference Center, which is located on the Unity Village grounds.

Check-in
Sunday, July 19, from 2-5 p.m. (CT)

Event Concludes
Thursday, July 23, at 1 p.m. immediately following lunch.

Transportation
Kansas City International Airport (airport code MCI) is 37 miles from Unity Village (approximately 45 minutes). Please keep this in mind when making reservations.

You may take an Uber, taxi, or coordinate transportation with one of these transportation companies:

• B.A.T.S (Better Alternative Transportation Services), 913-575-3185, or by emailing reservations@kcibats.com.
• Five Guys Transportation, 816-891-9999

Packing List

An email will be sent three (3) weeks in advance of the event with details about what to bring.

If you have questions about registration, accommodations, or meal plans, please email meetings@unityonline.org.

Frequently Asked Questions about Unity Village.