As we approach the end of the year, we are thankful for the generous supporters of Faith in Place who make possible our impact for cleaner environments and healthier communities.
Your support makes our programs possible!
For example, past support funded our Eco-Ambassadors program, which equips the next generation to lead for environmental justice in their schools and faith communities.
Erica Williams – a high school junior from Urban Village Church in Chicago – is one of twelve students who spent an action-packed six weeks this summer as a Faith in Place Eco-Ambassador.
A highlight for Erica was the field trip to Champaign, where they visited a sustainable farm and sampled the harvest including goat’s milk gelato! In the afternoon, they toured the U of I campus to learn about college degrees in environmental fields.
At a visit the next day at the State Capitol in Springfield, IL, Erica and the other Eco-Ambassadors met with environmental policy advocates to learn how laws are passed. They toured the Statehouse and spoke with their state legislators’ offices about why these issues matter to them.
“I really enjoyed myself on our trip and really connected with my fellow ambassadors. I’m so happy that I got the opportunity to come back for a second year and make new memories and to learn more about the environment as well,” says Erica.
Using leadership skills developed over the summer, the Eco-Ambassadors facilitated two workshops at our statewide Green Team Summit on October 15th. Based on their experiences, the youth gave advice to participants on how to engage young people in Earth care at their Houses of Worship.
Faith in Place empowers Illinois people of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth, providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities.
We need your support today so we can plan ahead for 2018, including expanding the Eco-Ambassadors program and opportunities to engage youth throughout the state!
Here’s what your tax-deductible donation can provide:
$45 pays for one Eco-Ambassador’s train ticket to Springfield
$36 covers food and equipment for a camping trip for one participant
$125 provides the learning stipend for one student for one week
$250 supports a bus for the Eco-Ambassadors to take a field trip to locations such as an urban farm, water reclamation plant, or beach cleanup
One of the best things about this summer’s Eco-Ambassadors’ cohorts composition was the diversity of faiths present – Muslim, Unitarian, and several Christian denominations.
Youth from the suburbs joined the Eco-Ambassadors from across Chicago for the program week focused on climate change action.
It was beautiful to see the students come together across their differences for conversation, understanding, and friendships.
Our divided country needs more spaces for this to happen.
As Erica says, “This program really brings young people together to do great things for themselves as well as for their planet!”
Please donate today to support all of our programs, including the Eco-Ambassadors program, which unite people around building cleaner environments and healthier communities.
Your donation – no matter the size – is multiplied in impact up to eight times, on average, through funding from government and organizational donors.
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