Summer Youth Journey 2007
About the program
As a psychotherapist/counselor / social worker, I have had the recent privilege to teach AP-Psychology in a private school setting to new immigrant youths. Additionally, as a Project Liberty psychotherapist/counselor in the New York City public school system, I have come to realize that most teens have never had the opportunity for interfaith or intercultural dialogue in a safe and nourishing setting, while growing up in America.
I stongly believe that there exists a need for educational programs in the New York City area that will teach our children how to interact and coexist with each other. With the cultural diversity prevalent in New York City, I have witnessed first hand the stereotypical differences and misunderstandings that continue to plague our students and contribute to their fears. I made up my mind to develop a structural program designed to foster tolerance, allay fears, and promote hope.
My grassroots work began in Summer 2007, when I launched a Summer Youth education program for all youth, ages 13 to 18 who live in the five boroughs of NYC. This program requires our adolescents to feel, see, think, talk, and share and experience things in life in a multi-cultural context.
I have created a safe and supportive environment that encourages interfaith dialogue amongst everyone. The students learn to promote their own culture and to accept other cultures, not as self-centered individuals, but as responsible members of their own diverse community.
The results have been far beyond my expectations. The students have learned to respect and enjoy each other's experiences. They have developed more self confidence and have become more motivated to eliminate cultural boundaries. Their prospects for the future have grown exponentially.
Working with teens has been my passion and commitment. I do enjoy getting to know them and encouraging them all to live up to their potential, while they are young they have the possibility to learn to live in harmony and be enriched by others with whom they have more in common than they imagined. I hope they continue to take advantage of what they are learning and apply it throughout their lives.
WHAT WE DO:
- Attend United Nations, and UNICEF events, and youth conferences, explore cultural museum and visit sacred places
- Learn about world issues, the Millennium Development Goals, and learn strategies to make a difference
- Dine in diverse ethnic restaurants and share breakfast together daily, building friendships
- Participate in interfaith and intercultural dialogues, expand self understanding and the understanding of others, and develop their vision and purpose in life