Teens Can Now Apply for Unique Multi-Faith Educational, Leadership & Service Program

Middle and high school students throughout Monmouth County are invited to participate in a unique multi-faith program called Garden State MOSAIC, which stands for Mobilizing Our Students for Action to Build Interfaith Community. Garden State MOSAIC, the product of a partnership between the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought and the Monmouth County Human Relations Commission, is entering its third program year this Fall and is searching for teens from a variety of faiths to apply for this unique education, community service, and leadership program. Applications are available at www.GardenStateMosaic.org.

In the first two years of the program, more than 70 teens from the Jewish, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Sikh, Unitarian-Universalist, Humanist, Hindu and Quaker faiths participated.

“Garden State MOSAIC enables students to learn about each other’s belief systems and practices through a series of sessions hosted by various faith groups at their places of worship,” said Sarbmeet Kanwal, one of the founders of Garden State MOSAIC, and a program coordinator. “Each session includes an informational discussion and visit at each house of worship led by that faith group’s teens, followed by an ethnic meal served by the session’s hosts.”

Also, through a variety of exercises and activities, the students will develop leadership and communication skills that are critical to becoming a change agent in their own communities. Finally, during the program year, the students will plan and conduct a community service project to allow them to practice some of the basic values that are common among all belief systems.

Garden State MOSAIC is a free program offered to Monmouth County students in grades 8 to 12. An application form must be submitted by prospective students and a selection process is used to assure adequate diversity and balance. Spaces in the program are limited, so applying early is wise. Each session is conducted on a Sunday afternoon, roughly every other week, beginning with a kick-off meeting at the Unitarian Universalist congregation on Front Street in Lincroft on Sunday, October 11 at 3:15 p.m. The sessions are facilitated and supervised by a small group of adult leaders. Students who complete a majority of the program by attending sessions regularly and actively participating will receive up to 30 hours of community service hours for their participation.

Applications must be received by September 27. To download an application, click here. For more information about Garden State MOSAIC, visit www.gardenstatemosaic.org. Or, you may also call 1.732.704.4860 or email info@gardenstatemosaic.org.