Basking in the Warm Glow of Giving
by Ellen Greeley, ICNY Development Director
No doubt you have already received a multitude of appeals from worthwhile organizations asking for end of year donations. We too are not alone in making a similar request, but when considering which organizations to donate your hard-earned dollars, consider this — The Interfaith Center of New York is only but a handful of organizations that makes New York City more livable for you, your family and friends by overcoming prejudice, violence, and misunderstanding by activating the power of the city’s grassroots religious and civic leaders and their communities.
The Interfaith Center sponsors purposeful programs and events which aim to integrate religious minority communities into the mainstream of urban life breaking down societal barriers. Take for instance; this year the Interfaith Center brought together child care workers and Muslim leaders in a series of borough wide training sessions with the aim to recruit prospective Muslim families to open their homes to embrace Muslim children needing temporary residency or adoption.
In another example, the Interfaith Center engages faith-based volunteers to provide genuine one-on-one contact with formerly incarcerated persons before they meet with their parole officers. It may look to a bystander like the volunteer is simply giving a hot cup of coffee to a parolee, but in effect, the volunteer is helping the parolee reduce his social isolation built up by the many years spent behind bars.
When domestic and international terrorism strike, the Interfaith Center joins with diverse faith leaders to respond in unison condemning such inhumane acts as it did in November when it co-sponsored an interfaith press conference with the Islamic Leadership Council of New York which featured Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other religious leaders.
If this is a cause you can believe in we ask that you make a tax-deductible donation by writing a check payable to The Interfaith Center of New York, click on the donate button below or at www.interfaithcenter.org or call me at 212-870-3511. We can also help arrange for small, reoccurring gifts throughout the year should one large gift not fit your budget. We promise you that such acts of kindness will be followed by a warm glow—a sure sign of the spirited season.
Mail checks to:
The Interfaith Center of New York
475 Riverside Drive, Suite 540
NY, NY 10115
