Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia

Walking the Walk

Promoting interfaith understanding; preparing tomorrow’s leaders

Walking the Walk is a nationally-recognized initiative that provides teenagers with experiences, skills and resources necessary to live in a diverse world, deepen their own identities, and break through walls that distance them from people of other religious, cultural and economic backgrounds. Field-tested in urban and suburban settings, with schools and congregations of many faiths, Walking the Walk features an innovative curriculum designed by a multi-faith professional team with expertise in youth development, service-learning, and systems change.

Impact on Our Youth:

• Deeper appreciation of the traditions and identity of others
• Increased pride in one’s own heritage and identity
• Enhanced curiosity and ability to ask questions with respect
• Strengthened commitment to addressing social issues
• Improved leadership and conflict resolution skills

Walking the Walk youth will...

Dare to Understand

• Establish lasting friendships with diverse peers
• Learn about different religious and cultural traditons from people, not just books
• Ask curious questions
• Experience sacred spaces
• Discover shared values and interests
• Learn to respect and embrace differences

Dare to Make a Difference

• Learn to stand up for people being put down
• Put values into action through community service
• Learn to challenge misconceptions and break down stereotypes
• Discuss current events through a new lens
• Get practice to communicate through dialogue instead of debate

Our Model

Each Walking the Walk group is led by a team of individuals charged with nurturing the best experience possible. Group leaders are hired and trained by the Interfaith Center to facilitate Walking the Walk sites. Student Group Leaders are Walking the Walk alumni whoserve as assistants to the Group Leader. Mentors are selected by participating congregations to accompany the youth on the Walking the Walk journey. Mentors serve as confidants who foster the ideas, questions, and dreams of the youth, and as advocates who can help bring to light their hopes and struggles.

Groups of high school youth selected from neighboring congregations gather 13 times during the school year for:

• Interfaith Engagement - We provide a safe environment for youth of diverse faith traditions to come together, break down stereotypes, share their distinctive practices and beliefs, and learn common values. From sharing ritual objects to touring faith communities to question and answer sessions with religious leaders, youth learn about other religions while strengthening their own religious identity.
  
• Service Learning - Each network is paired with one or more social service organization which addresses a social justice issue or community need, such as access to food, the environment, and needs of those with physical and/or emotional challenges.  Through service-learning at the particular site, participants put their interfaith values into action. Walking the Walk integrates meaningful service with focused learning and engagement with constituents so youth can examine the complexity of societal ills.
• Community Building - The program aims to strengthen communities on individual, congregational, and regional levels. It strives to highlight key elements of healthy development for youth, such as: feeling empowered, being valuable resources for the community, forming supportive relationships with peers and adult mentors, and building positive identities.
• Creative Reflection - A critical and constant component of the program is helping youth develop tools for integrating their experiences and expressing what those experiences mean for them as young people of faith engaged in their communities. Creative reflection takes on many forms including poetry, journaling, and collage.

Established programs are available for a range of ages and to meet all budgets. Programs can also be customized for schools, camps, and faith communities on a fee for service basis.

We extend our deepest thanks to the hundreds of committed volunteers, leaders, and mentors who give of their time, without which the depth of this program would not be possible.

Our Networks

Currently, the Interfaith Center offers Walking the Walk groups in four geographical areas: The Western Suburbs, Wissahickon area, North/Northwest Philadelphia, and in a Religious Day School setting. Partnering with 16 congregations/schools in the Philadelphia region, each group of 15 – 20 high school students meets in one another’s communities. The groups are led by a group leader and student alumni.

Click here to see our networks in action!

 

 

 

A National Movement

With the help and guidance of the Search Institute and the Interfaith Youth Core, Walking the Walk belongs to a nation-wide network of organizations that are committed to fostering healthy youth development and leadership in an interfaith context.

Program Partners