Spring Break
Student groups volunteer for Interfaith Youth Service
Morgan Riedl
Issue date: 4/15/08 Section: Campus
The possibility of April snow showers did not dampen the spirits of the nearly 70 volunteers gathered Sunday afternoon for the Day of Interfaith Youth Service.
The Day of Interfaith Youth Service (DIYS) is an annual international event started by The Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), a non-profit organization based in Chicago, and Interfaith Circle, a student organization, brought the event to Miami University's campus for the first time this year.
The co-presidents of Interfaith circle, junior Angie Chan and senior Whittney Barth, along with senior Jenny Jacob of the Association of Jewish Students, organized DIYS.
According to Chan, the sites of service-the Family Resource Center, the Oxford Community Choice Pantry and the Community Counseling and Crisis Center-were chosen purposefully.
"We wanted three places that were religious-neutral," Chan said. "They serve the community regardless of why you need help or who you are."
The tasks varied by site and included mowing, cleaning up the grounds, planting flowers, mulching, raking and even chopping down small trees.
According to Barth, the group wanted the projects to be reflected in what the sites wanted for themselves.
The group was able to give $400-donated by the Miami University Parents Fund, the Oxford Community Foundation and Associated Student Government (ASG)-to each site to buy supplies for the beautification projects.
Jacob said the purpose of the event was to unify students.
"The overall goal of program is to show we can all work together as one even though we have different backgrounds and beliefs," Jacob said.
Chan added that beautifying the sites would help the facilities better serve the Oxford community. However, she said the day was really about facilitating understanding across religious borders.
"But also, we feel there are a lot of misunderstandings on campus on religion," Chan said. "Even though there are all these lines drawn in the community and on the campus between color, religion (and) socio-economic class, good things can happen when you cross those lines (and) when you look beyond those borders at a broader goal."
The Day of Interfaith Youth Service (DIYS) is an annual international event started by The Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), a non-profit organization based in Chicago, and Interfaith Circle, a student organization, brought the event to Miami University's campus for the first time this year.
The co-presidents of Interfaith circle, junior Angie Chan and senior Whittney Barth, along with senior Jenny Jacob of the Association of Jewish Students, organized DIYS.
According to Chan, the sites of service-the Family Resource Center, the Oxford Community Choice Pantry and the Community Counseling and Crisis Center-were chosen purposefully.
"We wanted three places that were religious-neutral," Chan said. "They serve the community regardless of why you need help or who you are."
The tasks varied by site and included mowing, cleaning up the grounds, planting flowers, mulching, raking and even chopping down small trees.
According to Barth, the group wanted the projects to be reflected in what the sites wanted for themselves.
The group was able to give $400-donated by the Miami University Parents Fund, the Oxford Community Foundation and Associated Student Government (ASG)-to each site to buy supplies for the beautification projects.
Jacob said the purpose of the event was to unify students.
"The overall goal of program is to show we can all work together as one even though we have different backgrounds and beliefs," Jacob said.
Chan added that beautifying the sites would help the facilities better serve the Oxford community. However, she said the day was really about facilitating understanding across religious borders.
"But also, we feel there are a lot of misunderstandings on campus on religion," Chan said. "Even though there are all these lines drawn in the community and on the campus between color, religion (and) socio-economic class, good things can happen when you cross those lines (and) when you look beyond those borders at a broader goal."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Thanks
posted 8/29/08 @ 3:01 PM EST
I was googling something else but stumbled across this great article. I've participated in projects like these before and they are definitely worthwhile. (Continued…)
jasonglades
Dissertation Hypothesis
posted 2/16/09 @ 10:30 AM EST
Awesome programme I want to take part.
alcohol rehab program
posted 4/02/09 @ 9:54 AM EST
Well, this is something new, considering the attitude that students have nowadays on this kind of situations. I must congratulate them and wish them the best in the world. (Continued…)
Homework Assignment
posted 8/03/09 @ 10:20 AM EST
"We wanted three places that were religious-neutral," Chan said. "They serve the community regardless of why you need help or who you are." - great idea, totally agree with this. (Continued…)
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