Interfaith Center Of New York Inc

Programs: The religious worlds of new york summer institute "teaching the everyday life of american religious diversity" was held july 11 - 29, 2016. This was a project of the icny and union theological seminary with support from the national endowment for the humanities. The goal was helping k-12 teachers teach about the everyday life of american religious diversity, in addition to the conventional "world religions" curriculum. Twenty-five selected school teachers from 16 states in the us learned from scholars of religion, met with religious leaders, visited local houses of worship, conducted field research, and developed their own religious diversity curriculum projects.

the social work and religious diversity conference: this annual conference helps social service and mental health care providers work more effectively with religiously diverse clients and communities, and offers continuing education credits for licensed social workers (approved by the new york state education department's state board for social work as the provider # 0163). The 2017 social work and religious diversity conference was held on wednesday, may 10th, had 77 registered participants, and explored the theme of religion, spirituality, and family life. Participants paid fees ranging from $65 to $160, depending on their individual/group registration status and the continuing education credits.

marshall meyer retreat: the rabbi marshall meyer retreat is new york city's principal concourse for interfaith education and dialogue on local social justice issues. The retreat is a professional development and capacity building opportunity for religious leaders, allowing faith leaders to learn about social issues, create networks for mutual support, and meet civic leaders and service providers. The 33rd retreat on the topic "hospitality in a time of hate: religious leadership for an inclusive city" was held on april 5, 2017, and had 161 registered participants. The full-day conference included a keynote address, panel discussions, small group dialogues, interfaith prayers, and networking opportunities.

reentry family and faith circles of support: funded by jc flowers foundation and the rector, church wardens & vestryman of st. Philip's episcopal church in harlem given to them from episcopal charities, icny partners with the harlem community justice center and network support services, inc. To support parolees and their families after their release from new york state correctional facilities. Icny organized a rotating group of 15 faith-based volunteers from seven protestant and catholic congregations to provide a transformational opportunity to support the restoration of formerly incarcerated individuals on thursday mornings at the harlem community justice center. Evaluators have documented that this program has reduced re-offending among parolees by almost 20 percent. Founder's fund: the anna maria and stephen kellen foundation honors icny's founder and chair emeritus the very reverend james parks morton with annual support covering his salary, fringe benefits, and office rental costs. Through his many contacts and relationships built with world and national religious leaders as dean of the cathedral of st. John the divine, rev. Morton provides day to day consultation and expertise in program development involving interfaith work and assists in fundraising activities related to the annual appeal and annual gala. Public engagement program: this program advances respect and mutual understanding among people of different faiths, ethnicities, and cultural traditions through issuing monthly electronic bulletins highlighting icny programs and events, holding press conferences, organizing interfaith prayer vigils, arranging meetings with elected and appointed officials, publishing op-ed articles, and postings on our website, facebook page and on twitter. Icny also sponsored interfaith ramadan iftar dinners with union theological seminary, riverside church and the peace islands institute. Student teacher/teaching educators programs: icny creates education programs tailored to the specific needs of public, private and parochial schools working to enhance the study of religious diversity, immigration, or other civic issues. Icny facilitated an interfaith panel discussion at the health, education and research occupation high school, and brought together muslim and jewish community leaders to discuss the difference between "free speech and "hate speech, and arranged for site visits to an islamic center and a hindu temple for grace church school students.