Why bother with IFA’s YLP? Well…
OK your friends say it is fun, so come! Your folks say it looks good on college applications, so go. Hmmm, there are community service projects that you want to do, so try it.
Here is what an alumna has to say about it ... because in IFA’s Youth Leadership Program, we do not speak for teens, they speak for themselves.
Joining the Interfaith Youth Leadership Program was probably one of the greatest decisions I have made in my life. I can proudly say that this program has changed me completely as a person and in the best way possible. This program enabled me to jump out of my comfort zone and in full confidence allow myself to be able to speak in front of a large group of people, of any age group! Four years ago, I could not even have imagined organizing and chairing community wide programs. It threw out so many opportunities for students like me to participate in facilitating in front of large audiences. For example, while organizing the Teenage Interfaith Diversity Education (T.I.D.E.) Conference, at Harvard University, I was given the chance of facilitating an entire session of a large group of adults on active listening skills. At the same time, I was given opportunities of going to our local middle school and facilitating an entire session of a large group of 12 and 13 year olds on the effects of stereotyping. Constantly, I was given these great opportunities of showing leadership, which truly helped me in shaping me as a person.
What’s even better is that not only does this program give you these opportunities to boost one’s confidence level, but it is all for a great cause; spreading the interfaith movement. In times like this, where people have such great misunderstandings about religions and cultures, youth, like myself, are doing their share to educate individuals of all age groups and promote diversity education as well as facilitation and leadership skills that can add value throughout life. If it was not for the Youth Leadership Program, I could not even dream of organizing a program like Sacred Seasons on my college campus, let alone actually going through with it. The youth leadership program was such a great part of my life and completely changed my outlook on the world as well as the people around me.
-Richa
Nov 2009