Since 1993, the Fund for the Future of Our Children (FFC) has taken as its mission the support and encouragement of leadership qualities in today’s youth.

In 2005, FFC began the Children of Abraham Youth Leadership Awards; inviting high school students to explore questions about the commonalities among the Abrahamic faiths and implement community projects which bring to life the deep teachings of the three faiths.  FFC believes that young people, not having yet developed a “self interest” perspective on the world, can bring forth a multitude of changes, and investing in this group goes a long way. 

APPLY FOR

2011-2012 Children of Abraham Youth Leadership Grants

The Children of Abraham Youth Leadership Grants, organized by FFC and co-sponsored by Georgetown University's Campus Ministry, provides an opportunity for students in grades 10-11 to deepen their understanding of common tenets of the Abrahamic faiths while increasing their civic engagement and improving their leadership skills.

Students in 10th and 11th grade, are eligible to submit essays and proposals for a teen-based community project focusing on the topic, "Present at the Beginning: Celebrating Three Woman and Three Faiths."

These are the five steps you will need to follow in order to participate:




Visit the Program Kick-Off Page
Click here for more information
Deadline for Applying is January 30, 2012
Award Ceremony TBD in April/May 2012 at Georgetown University

The 2011-2012 program begins with you viewing the recordings by the panel of Kick-Off Speakers, whose presentations are to help you understand this year’s topic and community project development.

  1. Panel of 2011-2012 Kick-Off Speakers

  2.  

    Rabbi Rachel Gartner: Yocheved's Lasting Presence

    		  

    Sister Helen Scarry, R.J.M.: Mary and Her Faithful Influence on Jesus and Christianity

  4. Dr. Zahra N. Jamal: Everlasting Compassion and Islam

    Emily Gantz McKay: Community Project Development

     

  5. © Piotr Mlodozeniec http://www.zafryki.art.pl
  1. Past Youth Grant Award Ceremony Keynote Speakers
  1.          

    Cokie Roberts
    Senior News Analyst for NPR and political commentator for ABC News, Keynote Speaker, 2005-2006 Award Ceremony

    		  

    Farah Anwar Pandith
    Office of the United States Special Representative to Muslim Communities, Keynote Speaker, 2009-2010 Award Ceremony

    		 

    Roberta Baskin
    Award winning investigative journalist, Keynote Speaker, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 Award Ceremony
     
 
 

Maureen Bunyan
Veteran television news broadcaster and primary anchor, Invited keynote speaker, 2006-2007, Award Ceremony

 

Arsalan Iftikhar
International human rights lawyer and global media commentator, Keynote Speaker, 2010-2011 Award Ceremony

About FFC's Past Leadership Programs:
The program first challenges students to contemplate a foundational question in the area of interfaith reconciliation and leadership. The initial essay question (2005-2006) was directed toward to the theme of peace in each of the Abrahamic faiths, and the second (2006-2007) addressed the leadership of the founders of those faiths – Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. The third essay question (2007-2008) dealt with the causes and consequences of corruption and the models offered by the Abrahamic faiths for overcoming it. The fourth essay question (2008-2009) asked what can we learn from the values taught by the Abrahamic religions— Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—to be responsible stewards of the environment. The fifth essay question (2009-2010) was a reflection on compassion in action as exemplified by the leaders of the three Abrahamic faiths and the sixth was how can we learn to better welcome the stranger through the wisdom of the three faiths.

From 2006 through 2009, the Youth Leadership Grants program afforded an optional opportunity for students submitting essays to engage in a funded community leadership project. Beginning with the 2010 program, the essay component and the and micro-grant component are combined as the Children of Abraham Youth Leadership Grants.

 
   

The Fetzer Institute honored FFC by designating us as a recipient of their Common Cause Award, which is granted to an organization that shares in the common work of the Institute – "to serve those who are turning the tide of our times from fear and violence to love and forgiveness." This $10,000 grant will enable FFC to continue to support youth as they develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

 


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