Local Young Adults To Lead Inter-Faith Social Justice Project

VANCOUBVER – Jewish Federationof Greater Vancouver recently receivedone of 15 pluralism grants fromthe Inspirit Foundation aimed at bringingyoung people together to lead positivechange. The grant is funding a new projectcalled Change Makers.Through this project, 16 emergingyoung leaders from various faith-basedand cultural communities will identify arelevant social need across their respectivecommunities. They will then designand implement a project to meet that socialneed, and in the fall they will reporton their findings. As part of the process,participants will build on their leadershipskills. They will also increase their understandingof and respect for diversityamong faith-based groups and Canadiansociety at large. The project will be supervisedby Jewish Federation and the Centrefor Israel and Jewish Affairs’ nationaloffice, and is presented in partnershipwith the South Arm United Church andReconciliation Canada. Jewish Federationis convening an advisory group from theparticipating communities to develop theselection criteria and interview the candidates.Applicants must demonstrate activecommunity involvement and be interestedin pursuing leadership roles.“Change Makers is an excellent opportunityfor young people to exchangeideas, debate issues, and challenge eachother’s thinking in a safe environment. Byworking together, they will have a chanceto promote understanding across diversecommunities while working toward acommon goal,” said Diane Switzer, boardchair of Jewish Federation of GreaterVancouver.“We believe that young people candrive the social changes needed to ensureeveryone feels included and our differencesare valued, rather than feared,” saidAndrea Nemtin, president and CEO ofthe Inspirit Foundation.How to ApplyApplications are now open at youngleadersbc.com until December 31, 2013for participants between the ages of 23and 28. Participants will be selected byJanuary 15, 2014, with the first sessionbeginning on January 30th. The project’sofficial end date is September 30, 2014.About InspiritThe Inspirit Foundation is a national,grant-making organization that supportsyoung people aged 18 to 30 in building amore inclusive and pluralist Canada. Oneway we do this is by funding projects thatfoster engagement and exchange betweenyoung people of different spiritual, religiousand secular backgrounds. To receiveupdates on our Pluralism Grants,including information about the next callfor applications, please subscribe to ourmailing list at www.inspiritfoundation.org orconnect with us on Twitter @InspiritFdn andfacebook.com/InspiritFoundation.