Interfaith Youth Initiative Summer Institute - Leading with Head, Hands, and Heart

Date: July 11th-18th, 2010
Where: Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Group: Interfaith Youth Initiative (IFYI)

Contact: Matt Carriker
Email: akern@coopmet.org
Tel.: 617-244-3650

Event Description: IFYI is a powerful and transformative experience for teens (ages 15 -18), as well as college and graduate students serving as mentors and staff. This year’s theme is "Leading with Head, Hands, and Heart." Together we will interpret and embody our own spiritual visions of justice and peace on the campus of Brandeis University, while living out Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “Beloved Community.”

IFYI has five Core Values: Building Bridges, Engaging Faith, Training Leaders, Making Peace, and Serving Others. Participants explore and embrace their own leadership and peacemaking styles, becoming agents of positive social transformation in their schools, communities, and congregations.

This program offers a dynamic mix of community building, fun social activities, workshops, service experiences, and learning trips which engage urban and suburban realities. Youth express their visions of faith, justice, and peace through visual art, poetry/spoken word, theological reflection, dance, drama, and film.

All are welcome at IFYI! Youth and staff come from diverse religious backgrounds and grow more deeply in their own religious traditions through dialogue and interaction with others. Leadership (currently!) comes from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Unitarian Universalist faith traditions. Men and women are housed in separate staffed areas of the school, or if desired may commute from home. All religious and dietary needs will be accommodated.

Come join us for this eight-day immersion experience, followed by ongoing opportunities during the academic year for mentoring, retreats, and support for spiritual, academic, and professional pursuits.

This transformative week for youth leaders from Greater Boston communities and beyond will culminate in a "Celebration" on Sunday, July 18th. Bring your congregation and come see what our young people have to say!

To Apply: http://coopmet.org/PDFdocs/IFYIApplicationForm.pdf