Song And Spirit Inc

Programs: The careavan outreach program assists adults and children living at or below the poverty level. Each month the careavan vehicle transports over 3 tons of fresh produce, groceries and hot soup to food pantries, shelters and individuals throughout metro detroit. We expanded existing interfaith partnerships and developed new ones with diverse organizations serving the disadvantaged throughout metro detroit. Ss snackpax provides children experiencing food insecurity with a lunch bag containing a protein bar, fruit cup, and juice box. Over 20,000 people collect, assemble, distribute or receive snackpax annually. Winter and summer carepax include a hat, gloves, hand/toe warmers, socks summer rain poncho cap, sun/lip balm and hygiene kits that are given directly to the needy and homeless, along with an updated list of resources for those living on the margins. Through these and other collaborations, we connect individuals and communities of varying ethnic and religious groups. This program is supported by hundreds of volunteers of diverse religious beliefs.

song and spirit interfaith presentations are a vital part of the interfaith community in metro detroit. We show interfaith cooperation in action exploring deep ecumenism through stories, music, education and art, delving into the ways each of our faith traditions informs and strengthens the other. Shir hanishama is a jewish renewal shabbat experience, serving the jewish community, unaffiliated or interfaith families, and open to all people of faith. Sabbath2sabbath provides jews and christians the opportunity to experience sacred time together. Our interfaith psalm experience includes chant and meditations from diverse traditions. Caught in conversation brings together hundreds of people of all ages, jews, muslims, christians, to explore common hopes, dreams and anxieties while sharing a meal. We teach classes and lead retreats for hundreds of people locally and nationally often focusing on jewish roots of christian spiritual practice. These changes the way people think of prayer, art, music, ritual and spiritual insight, as we celebrate diversity in creative ways.

art-in-action gathers people of different religious, racial, ethnic backgrounds and artistic abilities as an art community, creating art that is sold at art fairs and events throughout metro detroit. Building friendships while creating unique art work helps sustain our peace-making efforts. People with no prior art experience are amazed at what they can create. The tile volunteers donate over 5,000 hours of time each year. Workshops are held with youth and adults in the greater community, who experience making art in diverse groups. Additionally, mary works with congregations, schools and community groups to create mosaic installations that feature the work of their members. Interfaith groups of youth and adults work together to create projects and installations that heal hearts and communities and connect people to each other in tangible ways. We also work with trafficked adolescent girls and other at-risk populations, creating art installations that promote self-worth, heal cultural, racial and ethnic divisions while promoting artistic discovery.