Interfaith Youth Core

MVAC ANNOUNCES INTERFAITH PROJECT ON YSU CAMPUS June 2011

The Association of Churches has developed a promising program on Youngstown State University’s campus that seeks to make interfaith understanding and cooperation the norm in one generation. The Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) is a program out of Chicago by Ibo Patel. IFYC trains college students to work on campuses with other students in order to bring about healthy respect and understanding of the various religious traditions that are represented. Student interns lead students in sharing their faith with others in non-judgmental ways. More information about Interfaith Youth Corp can be viewed at www.IFYC.org.

Key to this project, is the work of our local intern and staff ally. Our student intern is Carey Dabney, a non-traditional student with a double major in Philosophy and Religion; our ally is Jeff Butts, Research Associate in the office of Dr. Mustansir Mir, at the Center for Islamic Studies. These two men will be trained by IFYC staff in Chicago during the last few days of June.

Upon return Carey, with the support of Jeff Butts and a small steering committee will begin to gather students on campus; first to talk and get to know each other, then to choose and perform a volunteer project. Through the training, Carey will implement strategies to encourage the students to explore their own beliefs and traditions in each others presence and with the encouragement of the group. This type project has been successful on other campuses and we at the Association of Churches are thrilled to be able to present it here.

What is involved for those who yearn for better interfaith understanding? Here’s our list:

• We need your prayers for Carey, for Jeff and for the students on YSU’s campus.

• We need money to underwrite this very modest endeavor: The total cost is less than $3,000 and we already have an MVAC Board member pledging to match up to $500.00 in donations. The money will be used for the registration and transportation to the training, some program expenses (copying and refreshments) and a small monthly stipend for Carey. Your gifts can be sent to MVAC 2214 Mahoning Avenue, Youngstown 44509. Just write Interfaith Youth Core on the memo.

A word about Carey Dabney

As a non-traditional student, Carey is part of the 41% on “non-trads” on campus. FYI, this status refers to the fact that many of YSU’s students don’t attend directly after High School. They are older and usually employed at least part time. Carey has served as pastor of a non-denominational (Baptist style) congregation for 6 years. He is a Marine veteran who has served in Yemen, Germany and Washington D.C. Carey is married to the mother of their 6 children ages 9 months to 17 years.