Accomplishments of Our Past ICLA Cohorts
This page describes some of the community projects developed by our fellows in past ICLA cohorts. We are proud of their contributions to the civic life of New York, and honored to have supported their work.
2024-2025 Community Projects:
From Survival to Sanctuary: A People’s Ministry Meal and Conversation
Led by ICLA fellows Isaac Adlerstein, Yamina Kezadri, Griffin Lockette, and Elæ Moss Benedetto
Tuesday, May 13, 7:00 – 9:30 pm, at Judson Memorial Church, 55 Washington Square South, NY NY
What does sanctuary mean in these challenging times? How can New Yorkers keep each other safe, embodying sanctuary in our city, our faith spaces, and our diverse communities? Participants gathered to explore these questions in rich conversation over a simple shared meal, with guest speakers Rev. Liz Edman, Rabbi Mike Moskowitz, Imam Ammar Abdul-Rahman, and Rev. Dr. Kris Watson.
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Breaking Barriers: Interfaith Youth Empowerment Workshop
Led by ICLA fellows Erum Hanif, Shivani Parikh, and Tandeep Kaur Sawhney
Saturday, June 8, 2 – 5 pm, at VFW Post 1790, 65 E. Merrick Road, Valley Stream, NY
An afternoon of empowerment, education, and community building for religiously diverse young New Yorkers and Long Islanders. This interactive workshop will help young people explore leadership, identity, and solidarity across faiths and cultures. Through open dialogue and skill-building sessions, participants will leave feeling inspired and better equipped to lead change in their communities. The workshop will be facilitated by South Asian Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh community leaders, and will encourage all participants to express their own unique experiences while fostering unity across faith lines.
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Community-Based Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Screenings
Led by ICLA fellow Dr. Raina Massey
Fridays, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Greater Miracle Ministries, 117-02 Myrtle Avenue, Richmond Hill, NY
More than 1 in 3 U.S. adults have pre-diabetes, yet most are unaware of it. Without intervention, many will develop Type 2 diabetes — a leading contributor to heart attacks, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and early death. New York City’s diverse communities are especially at risk due to barriers like low awareness, lack of access to screenings, language gaps, and culturally inappropriate health education. Dr. Raina Massey is working to address these inequities by identifying high-risk individuals and guiding them through lifestyle changes that can prevent chronic disease and promote a long, healthy lifespan.
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Know Your Rights Training for LGBTQIA Asylum Seekers
Led by ICLA fellow Noah Habeeb
The Ark Immigration Clinic at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah
In our inhospitable and unstable political context, legal empowerment is both more important and more difficult to provide to asylum seeking New Yorkers. For this project, we will design an updated Know Your Rights presentation for LGBTQIA asylum seekers, which will be piloted at CBST in May 2025, and later used at other communities including members of the NYC Pro Se Collaborative, a network of more than a dozen pro se clinics convened by the Ark at CBST.
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Series of Three Community Wellness Events Led by ICLA fellows Father Samuel Davis and Chaplain Shamel Lawrence Saturdays, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, Friends of the Children, 1325 5th Ave, NY, NY
Join us for a day filled with positive energy, community spirit, and opportunities to forge new connections. Featuring health and wellness activities including: youth mental health first aid workshops, Healing Heart wellness sessions, free haircuts, Easter baskets and toy giveaways, delicious complimentary meals, and a cozy reading corner for children and families.
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Lesbian Library Day: A Sober Sapphic Social Soiree Led by ICLA fellow Amber Flannery Field July 12, 1:00-5:00 pm, Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library, 455 5th Ave, NY NY
In America today, both libraries and queer communities are under attack. More broadly, we are facing a crisis of community and togetherness and need to fight back against social isolation. Building space where marginalized people can speak and have space among themselves is especially important. This project will promote community-building and political empowerment for queer New Yorkers — helping people establish connections through optional scavenger hunts, free giveaways, community organizing instruction, and space dedicated for both social time and silent reading.
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Movie Night at St. Mary's: Storytelling, Solidarity, and a Shared Meal Led by ICLA fellow Destinee Bates St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 521 West 126th Street, NY NY
Housing insecurity and social isolation continue to affect many Harlem residents, particularly those who seek refuge at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The need for spaces where people experiencing homelessness feel welcomed, seen, and part of a broader community is urgent. We will offer nourishment — both physical and spiritual — by sharing a meal, screening a film rooted in hope and justice, and providing an evening of dignity, rest, and human connection. This project builds toward a long-term vision of faith communities serving as radical spaces of hospitality, healing, and justice.
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Documentary Film on Hindu Chaplaincy
Produced by ICLA fellow Sangeetha Kowsik
New York University Hindu Center
This short film will explore the importance of Hindu chaplaincy, particularly in the context of mental health and spiritual well-being, and help make the case for a larger, dedicated Dharmic worship space at New York University. With nearly 200 students regularly attending Hindu prayer services at NYU—an unprecedented number that continues to grow—there is a pressing need for community space for Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, Sikh, and Parsi students.
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Youth Leadership Program for Turkish American Students Led by ICLA fellow Dr. Yavuz Bayam Peace Islands Institute of New York
Many Turkish-American youth in New York City, especially recent arrivals, have limited opportunities to learn about U.S. civic structures, develop leadership skills, and fully engage in their communities. Through leadership and civic engagement workshops, as well as trip to meet with policymakers in Washington DC, this project provides a structured, practical leadership experience that empowers young people to become active citizens. Long-range goal: foster a new generation of Turkish-American community leaders.
2023-2024 Community Projects:
Adama Bah
Interfaith Emergency Migrant Preparedness
An interfaith network for emergency preparedness and supplies in Harlem and the Bronx, particularly focused on new migrants.
Alveena Bakhshi
Survey of Interfaith Studies in School Curriculum
Survey of students, educators, and parents of various faiths to identify what they consider suitable interfaith studies that may be included in the school curriculum.
Rev. Dr. Charles Butler
Keep Harlem Clean
A campaign to raise awareness of Harlem community residents not to litter and to respect our neighborhoods by calling ‘all able bodies’ to pitch in and clean up their streets. The project will promote cleaner streets in our city.
John Choe
Faith Leader Capacity Building Workshop
Capacity building workshop for faith leaders, focused on harnessing congregational financial resources for social change – eg, boycotts, divestment, etc.
Pandita Pratima Kushmani Doobay
Multifaith Healing Resources
Multifaith resources for healing and empowerment through the arts through an online resource guide and public events.
Minister Arelis Figueroa
Immigration in New York: Sharing Our Stories
This project will explore how immigrants of different races, ethnicities, and faith backgrounds experience and perceive their immigration experience in New York City.
Adam Graubart
Housing and Homelessness Working Group
Building a housing and homelessness working group at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, possibly including advocacy to support legislation on good cause eviction.
Gregori Lindsey
Safety Training for New Migrants
Safety training and other resources for new migrants – focused on the needs and concerns of delivery workers.
Imam Adnan Rokadia
Convert Care Program for New Muslims
A program that focuses on creating a convert care program for new Muslims as well as making space for returning Muslims.
Adam Rosenberg
Harlem Interfaith Council
This program focuses on building a Harlem Interfaith Council – a neighborhood network of faith leaders and communities.
Rev. Mira Sawlani-Joyner
Interfaith Commission for Housing Equality
Helping raise digital awareness for a coalition of passionate faith leaders who dedicate themselves to advocating for comprehensive workforce housing programs. Their goal is to protect Harlem residents from displacement and preserve the historical integrity of this iconic New York City neighborhood.
Hapreet Singh Wahan
Interfaith Prayers, Meditation, and Dialogue
A project that will gather diverse faith traditions on a common platform, shattering the walls of ignorance, praying together, and creating an ever-growing network of faith leaders who will cultivate a sense of belonging, foster harmony, distribute love, and increase social equity.
Dr. Yousra Yusuf
Listening Sessions on Health and Reproductive Health in NYC Muslim Communities
This project aims to center Muslim youth and young adult voices to understand the needs and resources on reproductive health and reproductive health education in the community. We plan to organize a series of listening sessions with individuals directly impacted by the lack of tailored information on this sensitive topic.
2022-2023 Community Projects:
Dr. Ameena Ali
#LetsPinkApril2023
A public event intended to screen, educate, and discuss breast exams, mammograms, and all the testing that comes into play for proper breast health. Both men and women are encouraged to attend.
Jonathan Ammons and Weini Zhao
Cultural Exchange Community Event
A collaborative effort by two fellows with their respective houses of worship to foster cultural and religious literacy and to create opportunities to strengthen the social and emotional ties of the Chinese student population in the city.
Rev. Dr. Holly Bonner
Inclusive Faith: Bridging the Gap for Accessibility in NYC Houses of Worship
This training will highlight some of the most common physical, attitudinal, and technological barriers facing disabled New Yorkers in their quest for faith. The goal is to educate New York City faith and community leaders on how they can make their houses of worship more accessible.
Dr. Sheriden Booker
Focus Group for African Diasporic Traditional Religion
The objective of this focus group is to have solid baseline data for understanding the current state of the African diasporic traditional religious communities in New York City and a list of action items for developing a public agenda to raise awareness about instances of discrimination and their rights.
Gareth Bryant
Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Project
In collaboration with the Muslim Sisters of Staten Island, a discussion on sexual abuse awareness and prevention within our communities. The goal is to educate our communities on the realities and damage of sexual abuse as well as its harm on our society at large.
Shokuchi Deirdre Carrigan and Rev. Lauren Ahava Jacobs
Welcome Home: Creating Sanctuary for Asylum Seekers in New York City
A collaborative effort by two fellows, assembling 35 “Welcome Home” baskets with necessary, useful items for the home along with an interfaith, intercultural welcome message for asylum-seeking families currently relocating to apartments in New York City.
Rev. Joyce Dugger
Restoring the Village
Creating a safe space for all people in the Rockaways community to gather and learn some self-care healing practices to use daily and have a place where they can meet once a month to release stress and process their post-pandemic trauma.
Richard Feldman
Communal Restoration of Native Landscape Surrounding Sanctuary
Riverdale residents working together to develop a shared outdoor landscape that honors the land and biodiversity. Three local congregations will restore the property of their shared sanctuary toward a healthy native ecology.
Dimitrios Katsiklis
Interfaith Sacramental Music
Creating a space for sacred music performers of different faiths to come together, share the beauty of music, and foster interfaith understanding. The project will take place at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.
Eugene Nam
Faith Leader Training for Asylum Immigration Applications
A training program for faith leaders that address each of the misunderstandings of asylum immigration applications and help them channel their and their communities’ desire to advocate for immigrants into a more productive form.
Imam Mohammed Ozalp
Providing Psycho-Spiritual Care for Kurdish Asylum Seekers in NYC
A chaplain providing free spiritual care for Kurdish asylum seekers throughout New York City in their native language. The opportunity to offer a safe space for receiving the care needed.
Rev. E. Tyrone Pittman
Supporting Homeless LGBTQAI+ Teens in Brooklyn
This event is focused on providing the Bethany Baptist Church in Brooklyn congregation with information on how to support homeless LGBTQIA+ teens.
Reda Taleb
Impact of Incarceration on Arab and Muslim Communities in NYC
There is a lack of data on Arab and Muslims impacted by incarceration in this country. This survey will gather quantitative and qualitative data to shape the narrative of lived experiences of both communities.
2021-2022 Community Projects:
ALYSSA ABERNATHY
Brown Girls Learn Scholarship Fund Event
Fundraising brunch to support the Brown Girls Learn Scholarship Fund — working to support educational, professional, and personal development for disadvantaged youth and young adults (ages 15-24) in underprivileged NYC communities. Our mantra is “Your success is designed and lived by you.”
HAJJ MOHAMED AMEN
Supporting Survivors and Victims’ Families Following the Twin Parks Fire
Working with religious and civic leaders in NYC’s Gambian immigrant community, this project will help meet the practical, emotional, and spiritual needs of families displaced and traumatized by the devastating January 9th fire at the Twin Parks apartment building in the Bronx.
CHRISTOPHER BELDEN
Afghanistan and the United States: What Next?
Townhall discussion at Manhattan College, bath and toiletry supply drive, and community-building picnic in Van Cortlandt Park – all to raise awareness of human rights issues surrounding the Afghanistan conflict, and support recently resettled Afghani refugees in Westchester and New York City.
REV. ANTOINNETTE DONEGAN
Voices from the Concrete: Anti-Gun Violence Forum and Artistic Expression Showcase
Two-part event with a community forum and artistic showcase for the Stapleton neighborhood of Staten Island, highlighting the importance of the local “Cure Violence” anti-gun violence program. Young people will be encouraged to express themselves artistically on issues that affect their community.
JOHN DUCKSWORTH
Conversations about Hate Crimes with Diverse Faith Leaders
Series of panel discussions with diverse NYC faith leaders to address the disturbing rise in hate crimes against people of faith, and show how impacted communities are responding. Speakers will share theological beliefs, personal insights, and practical suggestions regarding this troubling issue.
RYAN HILL
Faith-Infused Trauma Reduction in BIPOC LGBTQ Communities
Series of facilitated dialogues and an educational toolkit, to address some of the mental health and spiritual challenges faced by BIPOC LGBTQ individuals and communities. The dialogues and toolkit will provide support, offer healthy coping mechanisms, and help build positive relationships.
MAHTAB KHAN AND SAHAR ALSAHLANI
Interfaith Fight for a Green New Deal at the United Nations
Rally in Bryant Park and march to the United Nations, bringing faith communities together to support the Green New Deal and build a sustainable future. Speakers will address climate change from religious perspectives, and participants will come together for social action and relationship building.
JAIWANTIE DAVI LAKHNATH
Mental Health Awareness Workshops for Arya Samaj Children and Families
Series of two-day workshops at Arya Samaj temples in the NYC area, to promote awareness of the needs of children and families struggling with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Events will be held in May and June, to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month.
MARK LEVY
Interfaith Team Building and Fundraising for East End Temple / Ruth’s Refuge
A fundraising campaign to support teams of volunteers providing furniture and housewares for newly resettled refugees and asylum seekers. We will raise money and awareness by wrapping housewares and cleaning supplies in an attractive poster featuring logos of sponsoring organizations.
DANIEL LEYVA
Health Education for Spanish Speakers in Latino Faith Communities
Three educational events addressing health disparities related to cardiovascular diseases, obesity and nutrition, and diabetes – held at predominantly Spanish-speaking, Latino churches in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, to promote conversations about health and wellbeing in communities of faith.
KRISTINA LOPEZ
Creating Resources for End-of-Life Community Care
Series of public programs to promote interfaith, community-driven discussions of end-of-life care, and develop multifaith understanding among end-of-life professionals. Everyone dies, but just as we live, we do not die equally. Faith leaders and caregivers will work together for justice in dying.
MARIANNE MONTERO
Racism is a Pandemic: Education and Action in Response to the Twin Parks Fire
Public program at Riverdale Presbyterian Church, combining education and advocacy in response to racial injustices revealed by the devastating January 9th fire at the Twin Parks apartment building in the Bronx.
DANIELLE WILLIAMS
Community Walks Against Gun Violence in Harlem
Through community walks, diverse Harlem faith leaders will call for an end to gun violence and show young people at risk of shooting and being shot that they are loved. Community leaders will also build relationships that will them develop new programs to prevent gun violence in the future.
2020-2021 Community Projects:
Dharmachari Ananta
Faith-Rooted Mindfulness for Diverse New Yorkers in a Stressful Time
The goal of this project was to help meet the mental health needs of diverse NYC faith communities during the COVID pandemic, by providing spiritually and culturally appropriate mindfulness training to diverse faith leaders. An 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course will be offered free of charge to diverse religious leaders — taught by an experienced MBSR trainer, who is also an ordained clergy member in the Triratna Buddhist Community. Based on lessons learned from this course, new models of “faith-rooted mindfulness” will be introduced in an online workshop, website, and other public education efforts.
Emre Celik
Turkish Asylum Seekers in New York Region – Awareness and Fundraising Program
This specific program’s goal was to raise awareness and funds for the plight of Turkish asylum seekers. The funds raised went to the Advocates of Silenced Turkey, for distribution to recent arrivals from Turkey. This was an online social media campaign that can be found on Linkedin, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Sati Gurdial
Seniors Outreach Cultural Program
This is a pre-pandemic picture
Online holiday program providing entertainment, cultural awareness, and social connection to Hindu seniors isolated due to the COVID pandemic. Every year, the Tristate Arya Samaj hosts activities for the seniors within their community throughout Queens. This year because of COVID-19, the event was held virtually. This has been a trying time especially for senior citizens who have not been able to leave their homes to run everyday errands and even visit family or friends. In order to bring together our community, we reunited everyone via virtual programming to celebrate the holiday season.
Fayth Henderson
Hidden Effects of Gun Violence
A program dedicated to mothers who have lost children to gun violence, helping their families and surviving children mourn and manage during the holiday season. Two events were held for this program. The first event was specifically for parents who have lost their children to gun violence and the second event was for siblings who have lost loved ones to gun violence. Through these events, the goal was to provide some level of respite and support to those who are sometimes considered the invisible victims of gun violence.
Mayanah Johnson
Safety in the City: Creating Safe Sacred Space for Victims of Domestic Violence
This project offered a week-long experience of online dialogue, reflection, and empowerment for diverse women of faith, including victims and survivors of domestic violence. Facilitated by a lay-leader in the Hebrew Israelite community, but open to women of all faith backgrounds, the program will address the unfortunate reality that our city’s sacred spaces do not always feel like safe spaces for women facing domestic abuse. Through a workbook, resource guide, interfaith dialogue, journaling, and other activities, the program will inspire diverse women of faith to work for gender justice in their own congregations and communities.
Dustin Tyler Joyce
Open to All: Helping Houses of Worship Welcome Members with Service Animals
This project, led by the bishop of the Jamaica 1st Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will create and disseminate a written guide to help houses of worship accommodate New Yorkers who use service dogs and emotional support animals. Religious institutions are exempt from the public accommodations requirements of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, but most faith communities nevertheless aspire to create welcoming spaces open to all, including people with disabilities. Drawing on consultation with diverse religious leaders, this guide will address both theological and practical issues surrounding the presence of service animals in houses of worship.
Brian Lai
Send Chinatown Love Gift-A-Meal Program
This program addresses the need addressed the need of a very specific neighborhood in Manhattan, Chinatown. The goal was to provide financial, business, and technological support to low-tech, cash-only Asian businesses that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
Reverend Deborah McKeever
Supporting LGBTQ Youth and Community in Central Brooklyn
This program was focused on dialogue workshops, leadership/employment programs, and grab-and-go lunches for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Brooklynites, in East Flatbush, Crown Heights, and East New York. These workshops were meant to give voice to those that may not feel like they have a voice, support, or a place to get something to eat. It gave the young people a place to discuss whatever was on their minds and also get a healthy meal. All discussion groups and workshops were conducted on Zoom. There were several opportunities for the youth to pick up pre-made food packages at the Brooklyn Pride Center.
Vijah Ramjattan and Pandit Vyaas Sukul
Devotion in Motion: Eco-Worship Dialogue and Solutions for the Hindu Diaspora
A collaborative project, led by the founder of a Queens-based Hindu community organization and the spiritual leader of a Bronx Hindu temple, brought together diverse NYC Hindus and developed ecologically responsible forms of worship. Hindu rituals sometimes revolve around the ocean, rivers, and other waterways, unfortunately leading to environmental and public health hazards through the discarding of devotional objects. The project gathered spiritual leaders from both the Madrassi and Sanathan Dharma communities for an intra-faith dialogue exploring eco-friendly worship practices, as well as two beach clean-ups in areas used for Hindu ritual at Jamaica Bay and the Whitestone Bridge.
Conor Reidy
Fostering Interfaith Student Life and Community Ties at Manhattan College
A series of online programs and relationship-building opportunities, to build bridges across faith lines among students at Manhattan College, a Catholic college serving a diverse, multifaith student body. The online series included a COVID-19 interfaith prayer session, an interfaith and racial justice discussion panel, and ultimately the start of an interfaith student core group on the Manhattan College campus.
Jeremy Tibbetts
ViHigadeta – And You Shall Tell Them: Racial Justice Education for Hasidic Brooklyn
Inspired by the Passover Seder’s injunction to teach Jewish children about Israelite slavery in Egypt (VeHigadeta — And You Shall Tell Them), this project will develop a series of workshops to educate Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn about the history of racial injustice in the United States, and its relevance to contemporary Jewish life. The project will be led by an orthodox Jewish educator, with close ties to the Lubavitch community of Crown Heights. A planning committee of educators and community leaders will develop the workshop curriculum by the end of the ICLA program in January 2021, and workshops will be held during Passover in March 2021.
2017-2018 Community Projects:
Beth Hermelin
Supporting the Well-Being of Detained Immigrants and Asylum Seekers
The goal of this project was to enlist the interfaith community of the Gramercy Park and East Village areas in efforts to support detained immigrants. Detainees who have no immediate family living in the United States face additional loneliness and frustration as they try to navigate the American immigration system. These documented and undocumented immigrants desperately need personal support as they await legal assistance. As New Yorkers and Americans, we can extend a helping hand to those who are the victims of this change in the immigration policy during this present administration.
This event was cosponsored by First Friends New Jersey – New York, and East End Temple. This was event was held at East End Temple, 245 East 17th Street, New York, New York 10003 on Wednesday, June 13th, 2018 from 6:30-8:30pm.
Read more about the event on the Facebook event page here.
Naureen Akhter
2018 Queens Democratic Primary: Debate Night
This community forum and debate introduced new candidates for elected office in Jackson Heights, Queens, including young and diverse first-time candidates. A candidate forum was organized highlighting women who are running for office for the first time because voters in this community are often disengaged, uninformed and not excited about primary races. Each candidate had the opportunity to share their stories and experiences that led them to decide to run for office. This event gave each candidate a platform for their issues and allow the audience to engage them. The goal of this project was to give voters in Jackson Heights a more informed awareness of the issues at stake – to know they have a choice between the powers that have always been and the ones advocating for a new path. This forum successfully reengaged voters as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won the Democratic primary in New York’s 14th congressional district defeating the incumbent, Democratic Caucus Chair Joseph Crowley.
This event was cosponsored by Jackson Heights People for Public Schools, Jack Heights Beautification Group, New Immigrant Community Empowerment and Seeking Asylum Finding Empowerment. This event was held at the Jewish Center of Jackson Heights, 3706 77th Street, Jackson Heights, New York 11372 on Thursday, June 21st from 7:00-10:00pm.
Read the report on this debate in The Queens Chronicle.
Ramatu Ahmed
Introduction to Mental Health First Aid for African Immigrant Youth
Raising mental health awareness is vital to the wellbeing of all communities. This mental health first aid training is aimed at African immigrant communities in the Bronx. The training will teach African immigrants how to identify and respond to emotionally distressed youth and young adults. It will be a full day of training, including story telling and cultural performances. According to Mental Health First Aid USA, only a third of children with a diagnosable disorders get help from formal mental health care or substance abuse services.
This event is also cosponsored by Vanessa Gibson, District 16 Councilperson, Ghanaian Yankasa Mosque, Community Boards 3, 4 and 5, the Bronx Multi-Faith Group and the Commission on Human Rights.
Ahmet Atlig
Community Chaplaincy for Recent Turkish Immigrants
New York City is a sanctuary city – home to immigrants from around the world, and to people seeking political asylum. Imam Ahmet Atlig has dedicated his professional career to providing spiritual guidance to asylum seekers in New York City from Turkey. This community based project involves members of clergy traveling across New York City to meet with immigrants that are seeking resettlement and providing them with grief counseling and support, crisis ministry, referrals for financial struggles and mental health issues.
The Turkish Cultural Center New York will be cosponsoring Imam Atlig’s work. This program will run from April through July.
Warren Abney
Healthy Eating and Cooking Workshops in Harlem
Access to healthy food has been a challenge for low-income residents in Harlem. Despite the rapid gentrification of the neighborhood, healthy choices are not always available for lower-income Harlemites. Nutrition education workshops with cooking demonstrations will be provided for the community, to offer alternative ways of eating healthy.
Partnerships with Whole Foods Harlem, local New York State farmers, local pantries, and Mt. Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church have been made. Workshops will run from July through October.
Linda Golding
Spiritually Sensitive Health Care for Family Medicine Residents
Family doctors have a unique opportunity to treat people across their entire life span, and have access to many resources to assist when needed, but many lack the ability to offer spiritually sensitive medical care to religiously diverse patients. A series of workshops for medical residents will help facilitate an environment of communication, spiritual engagement, and understanding. Meeting the patients’ medical and psycho-social needs is important for the growth of our communities and health institutions. Workshops will be provided for resident physicians from Washington Heights, Inwood, Harlem, and the Bronx.
Partners: The Family Medicine Residency and Chaplaincy Program, Allen Hospital. The workshops will begin in July and end in October.
Tiffany Lee
Global Thinking, Local Action, and Universal Impact for Youth
This program addresses the need for affordable youth programs, the disconnect between community service and participation in social justice advocacy/civic engagement, and the disparity in extracurricular activities available in low income communities of color and the impact on college admission. GLU is a six week expanded program that includes various workshops on hunger and food justice, environmental justice, homelessness and housing, and criminal justice and restorative justice.
The GLU Program is an initiative of Altagarcia Faith and Justice Works. Partners for this program are New York City’s Summer Youth Employment Program via Children’s Arts and Science Workshop, Cocolart, Future’s Today Consulting. This program will begin in July and will extend through the summer months.
Mika’il DeVeaux
Amend the 13th: Ending Neo-Slavery and Hyper-incarceration in the United States
This preconference symposium for religious and civic leaders will set the stage for a larger working conference, scheduled for February 2019 at Columbia University. The symposium and conference will increase awareness, fuel public discourse, and galvanize momentum to amend the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution. Hyper-incarceration in the contemporary US has been abetted by the “Punishments Clause” of the 13th Amendment, leading to historic and ongoing violations of human and constitutional rights for Americans of all races, ethnicities, and classes.
Citizens Against Recidivism, Inc. partnered with the Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood for this event. This event was held on Thursday, August 16th in partnership with the Interfaith Center of NY in the InterChurch Center Building, 475 Riverside Drive, South Lounge, 9:30am – 2:00pm.
Dowoti Desir
Out of the Basement: Dialogues Towards Building a Formal House of Worship for African Diaspora Faith Traditions
Diverse houses of worship may be found throughout New York, but there are no formally recognized religious institutions serving members of the city’s African diaspora faith communities (such as Vodou, Santeria, Candomble, and the Yoruba-Lukumi tradition). This project will organize two community dialogues, to explore and envision what such a public space of ritual engagement might look like for African-based traditions. With tens of thousands of practitioners living in and visiting the New York metropolitan area, the need for securing a collective place of worship is an imperative that can no longer be ignored. The proposed dialogues will contribute to the process of eliminating Afrophobia – creating transparency and public engagement, while demystifying stereotypes about Vodou and other African-based traditions.
The conference was held on August 16 at the Caribbean Cultural Center – African Diaspora Institute, 120 East 125th Street, New York, NY 10033. The event was cosponsored by the Midogbekpo NGO of Benin Republic.
Tsering Lama
Know Your Rights Training for Nepali and Tibetan Immigrant Faith Leaders
Know Your Rights trainings are a valuable tool in many immigrant communities, especially during the contemporary political climate. This training on immigration and sanctuary temples is geared towards faith leaders of the Nepali and Tibetan communities of Woodside, Queens. There will be collaboration between a Hindu and Buddhist temples for this project.
Potential cosponsors for this event are Adhikaar, Satya Narayan Mandir, United Sherpa Association, Sadhana and Shaanti Bhavan Mandir. This training will happen throughout the month of August in Woodside, Queens.
Marie Lily Cerat
Creating Language Access for Haitian Survivors of Domestic Violence
This project consisted of a series of four Haitian Creole translation workshops with a group of five women. In addition to training these women as translators, the project helped to place them as volunteers and/or staff with organizations providing services for domestic violence survivors – and particularly for Haitian immigrant women. Each of the participants received a certificate of completion presented to them at the annual Haitian Creole language and culture conference in October.
Cosponsors for this project were The Haitian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Espas Kreyol and the Haitian-American Foundation for Educational and Cultural Exchange. This series of workshops began at the end of September to middle of October.
Giovanna Maselli and Kyndra Frazier
Breaking Bread: Baptist – Buddhist Dialogues and Mindful Practices
This collaborative project will culminate in a weekend retreat for members of New York City’s Buddhist and Baptist communities – bringing them together to foster interfaith dialogue and shared mindful practice, and to develop inner qualities of awareness, compassion, equanimity, and kindness. The retreat will be held at the Rockaway Summer House (a Buddhist retreat center in Far Rockaway). It will include meditation practice, contemplative prayer, and yoga; conversations about spiritual practice with a Buddhist monk and Baptist minister; and above all, thoughtful sharing and deep listening across faith lines.
Cosponsors were Buddhist Insights, First Corinthians Baptist Church, and CommUnity Movement. The retreat was held in mid-September.
Jen Lackard
An Interfaith Prayer Vigil at the Westchester County Jail
The Interfaith Prayer Vigil was an opportunity for the faith community to show others how to stand side by side through prayer and solidarity. Also to reach back within a neighborhood to lend support to family left behind and to provide a space for redemption for those who want to come home and become their best self. The successful re-entry of individuals from incarceration should be everyone’s issue to ensure we are building safe, healthy and inclusive communities that are non-judgmental and non-biased in decision making and resource allocation. Individuals with justice involvement should not be ostracized or feared by their community but, instead, should be embraced and loved.
Cosponsors for this event are Grace Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon, and Healing Communities.
Todd Fine
Mormon – Muslim Interfaith Dialogue Project
With the hostile politics of the “Muslim ban” and rising Islamophobia in contemporary America, many members and leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints have made powerful statements in defense of religious freedom. There is thus reason to believe that individual Mormons and Muslims in local communities may benefit from interfaith meetings and conversations focused on their mutual experiences in the areas of faith and of outside perception. These discussions would serve interfaith dialogue as an end in itself and will have broad social benefits for Mormons, Muslims, and other Americans.
The discussion was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New York City over an interfaith breakfast.
