Walking the Walk Youth Initiative
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 and divide 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. Click here for WTW flyer.
During the 2012 – 2013 Walking the Walk program year, there are four networks comprised of youth from a total of 24 Partner Congregations and Day Schools. Click here for a list of Walking the Walk Networks and Partner Congregations.
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 sessions and coordinate partnerships with congregations and service sites. Student Group Leaders are Walking the Walk alumni who serve 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. Walking the Walk participants will:
- Have meaningful conversations, discover shared values, and develop friendships
- Appreciate, respect and embrace differences
- Experience worship spaces and holidays of many traditions
- Learn to stand up for people being put down
- Put values into action through community service
- Discuss current events through a new lens
- Be a more competitive college or job applicant
Youth Impact:
- Increased pride in one’s own heritage and identity
- Deeper appreciation for the traditions and identities of others
- Enhanced curiosity and ability to ask questions with respect
- Strengthened commitment to addressing social issues
- Improved leadership and conflict resolution skills
Read Stories of Impact from Walking the Walk
“Walking the Walk is the most sophisticated youth program I have seen across the country.” Dr. Eboo Patel, Founder of the Interfaith Youth Core, National Public Radio Interview 2/12/08
Our Model:
Interfaith Engagement
Service Learning
Community Building
Creative Reflection
Partner Congregations, 2005 – 2013
- Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, Corpus Christi Church, Villanova
- Adath Israel
- Al Aqsa Islamic Society School, Philadelphia
- Arch Street United Methodist Church
- Archbishop Carroll High School, Villanova
- Baha’I Community of Philadelphia
- Barrack Hebrew Academy, Bryn Mawr
- Beth Am Israel Synagogue, Penn Valley
- Beth Shalom Congregation, Elkins Park
- Bethlehem Baptist Church of Penllyn, Springhouse
- Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Bryn Mawr
- Congregation Adath Jeshurun, Elkins Park
- Congregation Beth Or, Maple Glen
- First United Methodist Church of Germantown
- Germantown Friends School, Philadelphia
- Germantown Jewish Centre, Philadelphia
- Grace Trinity United Church of Christ, Philadelphia
- Islamic Community of Valley Forge
- Hope United Methodist Church, Villanova
- Villanova Foundation for Islamic Education
- Main Line Reform Temple, Wynnewood
- Masjid Mohammad, Philadelphia
- Masjidullah, Philadelphia
- Mishkan Shalom, Philadelphia
- Mount Airy Church of God in Christ, Philadelphia
- Mount Airy Presbyterian Church
- Mount St. Joe’s Academy, Flourtown
- Mount Zion Baptist Church, Philadelphia
- Neighborhood Interfaith Center (NIM)
- New Horizons Islamic School
- North Penn Mosque, Lansdale
- Or Hadash Synagogue
- Philadelphia Baha’i Community, Philadelphia
- P’nai Or, Philadelphia
- Quba Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Philadelphia
- Reformation Lutheran Church, Philadelphia
- Rodeph Shalom
- Second Baptist Church of Germantown
- Sikh Gurudwara, Upper Darby
- St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Bryn Mawr
- St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Ardmore
- St. Mary and St. Mercurius Coptic Orthodox Church, Newark, Delaware
- St. John’s Lutheran Church, Elkins Park
- Suburban Jewish Community Center, B’nai Aaron, Havertown
- Trinity Episcopal Church, Ambler
- Valley Forge Mosque, Valley Forge
- Visitation BVM, Philadelphia
- The Bawa Muhaiyaddeen Mosque & Fellowship, Philadelphia
- West Catholic High School, Philadelphia
- White Rock Baptist Church, Philadelphia
- 59th Street Baptist Church, Philadelphia
Service Learning Partners, 2005 – 2012
- AID for Friends
- Anti-Hunger Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
- Books Through Bars
- Chosen 300, Philadelphia
- City Harvest Program, Philadelphia Green, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Philadelphia
- Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center, Philadelphia
- Fairmount Park, City of Philadelphia
- Greater Philadelphia Coalition Against Hunger, Philadelphia
- Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society(HIAS), Philadelphia
- Inglis House, Philadelphia
- Inter-faith Housing Alliance(I-FHA)
- Lower Merion Conservancy
- Mill Creek Farm
- Mid-County Senior Services, Havertown
- Mitzvah Food Project, Philadelphia
- New Sanctuary Movement, Philadelphia
- Nutritional Development Services, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
- Philadelphia Emergency Center, Philadelphia
- SHARE Food Program, Philadelphia
- Urban Tree Connection
- Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association
“Walking the Walk dispelled a lot of misconceptions I had about other religions and gave me the confidence to join a diversity group at my high school.” Jayne, Jewish participant, Walking the Walk
Student Group Leaders 2012-2013
Dalia Al-Bataineh, Suburban West Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
The group prayer the morning of Eid-al-Fitr at the mosque is the most meaningful religious tradition to me because it brings everyone together and is the largest holiday in Islam. I love seeing everyone and enjoying all of the delicious food people only make on special occasions like Eid – it’s just fun spending time with others. It’s simply Christmas for Muslims.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
The best part of my WTW year was getting to further understand other religions and their followers. I loved being able to have meaningful discussions with other people my age in such a mature and respectful way. I think WTW was my little safe-haven because I could express myself and my religious beliefs without feeling weird or inappropriate since you don’t really talk about religion every day.
What is one fact about you?
This is so bizarre but I’m a cat whisperer (I don’t even like cats). One time I was in Jordan, visiting family, and a stray cat started meowing and I meowed back and we just had a cat conversation for about 4 minutes and then I had to leave and get dinner. I’m basically a pro – so if you and your cat are having communication problems – give me a call!
Suzanne Bernstein, Suburban West Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
A Jewish tradition important to me is the Passover holiday each spring. Not only does it make me appreciate my ancestors’ brave escape from slavery, but it is also an excuse to spend time with my family!
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part of Walking the Walk this past year was learning about faith traditions other than my own and putting faces and friendships to those religions. I found meeting and connecting with people different from myself thrilling and I can’t wait to experience it all over again.
What is one fact about you?
I can wiggle my ears and love tootsie rolls.
Quinia Evans, Central Philadelphia Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
A religious tradition that is very meaningful to me is communion.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part of Walking the Walk was when we went on our service projects to Share and Aid for Friends Food Programs.
What is one fact about you?
I love animals and I love to sing every genre of music
.
Tal Gilad, Wissahickon Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
A very meaningful religious tradition for me is at the bar/bat mitzvah ceremonies. I love that when the child is receiving the torah for the first time, it is passed down from the parents. I love the meaning behind this, and goes with the Hebrew phrase, lador vador, meaning from generation to generation. The torah is symbolic, in that moment, of all the people and generations that have read it before and the generations to come.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part of my Walking the Walk year is meeting the new “walkers”. We all get along so well, and answer each other’s curious questions. Getting along with other people and having dialogue makes the experience so much better and worthwhile! I’m looking forward to connecting with everyone again.
What is one fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I love to crew and have done so for about three years.
Sophia Gluskin-Braun, Northern Day School Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
Fasting on Yom Kippur. Although not the original intent of the tradition, fasting gives me a taste of what it is like for the many people in the world who live in hunger.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
This is my first year participating in Walking the Walk.
What is one fact about you?
I love vegetable gardening.
MaryKate Glenn, Northern Day School Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
I was raised Catholic (my mom) and Lutheran (my dad) but I’m currently exploring/questioning.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite WTW memories were the discussions I had with my fellow participants. They were all immensely intelligent individuals, and I learned so much from them.
What is one fact about you?
I’m a supreme Gilmore Girls aficionado. Seriously. Ask me anything.
Sharika Maliha, Wissahickon Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
A religious tradition in Islam that’s important to me is reading Tarawih prayer. This prayer is optional and happens every night of Ramadan. I feel a strong spirituality and unity of the Muslims. I love meeting people every night that I only get to see this time of the year as the mosque is crowded.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My two favorite parts of Walking the Walk are tied as my most favorite. One was giving a speech during the MLK service at the Baptist Church and leading the Peace Walk in Philly.
What is one fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I love to cook and I collect shells and shark teeth.
Hasinah Rahman, Central Philadelphia Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
One religious tradition I love is Ramadan. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Ramadan gives us a chance to reflect and learn more about our religion.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
I my favorite part was interacting and connecting with people of other faiths because I feel it is important for people of different religions to have a safe and friendly environment to connect.
What is one fact about you?
I love Korean Pop music, my favorite color is pink, and I love cats.
Sam Slavitt, Northern Day School Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
Culturally Jewish, religiously Atheist
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part about participating in Walking the Walk was doing service projects.
What is one fact about you?
I have an iPhone app in the App Store called SlavittMind
Graham Small, Suburban West Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
A religious tradition that is very meaningful to me the singing of hymns and anthems. Music and religion are two things I am very passionate about. When I am singing is when I feel closest to God. I feel even closer when the music is designed to praise him.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part of the Walking the Walk year is the Stereotypes session. This is a session that is held later in the Walking the Walk year, and is also the most meaningful session in the program to me. During this meeting the students write down all the stereotypes they can think of for each religion and later they are read aloud. The following discussion is an example of what this program is trying to achieve. All of the students talk about how offended they are by the stereotypes not only of their own religion but also of other religions. This session inspires the individuals in each group to go out and make a difference.
What is one fact about you?
A fun fact about me is that I have been playing piano since I was two, and have been composing my own music since I was eleven.
Katrina Tacconelli, Suburban-West Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
I am catholic and one of my favorite traditions is when we celebrate the 7 sacraments. I love them because it shows how much you grew in your religion. The sacraments I already have are Baptism, Reconciliation and my Confirmation.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part of Walking the Walk this year was when we got to combine with the other groups. We met with the Hebrew Barrack School and we met with student from the
synagogue. I loved this part because you got to hear about what they believed in. We all believed in God which was one of the big things we had in common. We all like listening to music and watching certain TV shows.
What is one fact about you?
I am going to be a junior in high school and I am 16 years old. My one favorite thing to do is run. I participate in cross country in track and next year I will be training for the broad street run.
Leah Zebovitz, Central Philadelphia Network
What is one religious tradition that is meaningful to you?
A meaningful religious tradition for me is the Passover Seder. It is a time when my family and friends gather together to celebrate the holiday and we always make our Seders fun by adding games or skits.
What is your favorite Walking the Walk memory?
My favorite part of the year at Walk the Walk was when we went to Aid for Friends to package meals and learn about the organization.
What is one fact about you?
I have been to Alaska 8 times-I go every summer to visit my cousins and just to enjoy the beauty.
What’s New
Highlights from the Previous Walking the Walks
- View photos since the beginning of our program!
- Walking the Walkers share their stories and poetic reflections.
For More Information and Application Materials
Walking the Walk Newsletters
- WTW E-Newsletter November 2012
- Wissahickon May 2012 Newsletter
- Suburban West May 2012 Newsletter
- North-Northwest May 2012 Newsletter
- Day School May 2012 Newsletter
- Wissahickon Spring 2012 Newsletter
- Suburban West 2012 Spring Newsletter
- North-Northwest 2012 Spring Newsletter
- Day School Spring 2012 Newsletter
“Youth have a way of bringing down the curtain on tired, old dramas. These youngsters seem determined to write a new script…” New York Times, article about Walking the Walk, 11/11/08
Watch videos about the work being done Visit the Walking the Walk Alumni Page
