Elijah Cummings Youth Program In Israel Inc

Causes: International, International Exchange

Mission: To invest in promising teens from maryland's 7th congressional district and prepare them to serve as open-minded leaders with the skills, community ties and global exposure critical to success in a diverse society. Our efforts are infused with the spirit of bridge-building exemplified by the longstanding partnership of congressman elijah e. Cummings and the baltimore jewish community.

Programs: Leadership program: each year we select 12 fellows who either live or go to school in maryland's 7th congressional district to participate in our two-year program in the middle of which is a three week trip to israel. Fellows participate in twice-monthly seminars and workshops led by local experts on diversity, leadership skills, conflict-resolution and politics. The intended outcome of these workshops is to increase cultural awareness, refine leadership skills, provide exposure to influential community leaders and encourage dialogue around important topics. Upon returning from israel, fellows are engaged in speaking engagements in order to increase their advocacy skills. Venues include synagogues, churches, schools and nonprofit organizations. They also perform community service for organizations such as habitat for humanity, and baltimore city public schools, once per month. Three-week journey to israel: fellows live at yemin orde (a youth village near haifa). They travel alongside, live with, and befriend israeli teens from the village. These teens are largely refugees, orphans or new immigrants of ethiopian or eastern european descent. The students visit cultural sites or attend youth development workshops during the day. They also participate in substantial teambuilding activities and a brief homestay with an israeli family. Success:we expect all of our graduates to pursue higher education and additional leadership opportunities. All graduates from the ecyp class of 2016 matriculated to a four-year college or university. Additionally, 2016 ecyp fellows reported being "highly likely" to continue to volunteer in the future, continue to maintain diverse friendships and indicated a desire to study abroad in college.