A Letter from Senator Michael Frerichs to La Colectiva

Check out this letter written from Senator Michael Frerichs to La Colectiva, congratulating them for winning The Student Organization Award for the 2013 McKinley Foundation Social Justice Awards.  We are so proud of our student leaders for their hard work and unwavering commitment.

February 26, 2013

University YMCA
1001 S. Wright Street
Champaign, IL 61820-6285

Dear La Colectiva:

I applaud and congratulate your organization for winning The Student Organization Award for the 2013 McKinley Foundation Social Justice Awards.

Your commitment to education and addressing the issues faced by immigrants in the Champaign-Urbana community upholds a true value for social justice and it should be an honor for your organization to receive this award.  Continue following the mission your organization was founded on. The impact this organization has on the Champaign-Urbana community is remarkable.

Through your continued involvement with the community, fostering leadership and providing initiatives to the public, whether they agree or disagree, will have factual knowledge about things as the DREAM ACT.

Congratulations on all you have accomplished and I look forward to hearing about continued accomplishments.

Sincerely,

Michael Frerichs

[Y STORIES] Miss V: "A Home Away From Home"

When international graduate student Aurora Villacorta had her first interaction with the University YMCA, she had no idea the relationship would last decades. From student leader to dance instructor, the University YMCA has become a home away from home for Miss V for nearly fifty years.  Watch the video:     

This video is a part of the YMCA's celebration of 140 years of accomplishment in its mission to "challenge and nurture the mind and spirit of individuals and communities to develop and practice ethical principles and responsible leadership for social justice and the integrity of our natural world."

As part of this celebration, we would like to acknowledge stories of University YMCA alumni in order to commemorate our lasting legacy. We would love to hear your Y story, because we believe that the power of storytelling is when people say "me too."  

Watch other videos from our friends and Y alumni:

• Diane Marlin: "The Battle to Save the Park"
• Ellen Dahlke: "A Place Where I Could"

• Mara Eisenstein & Cassie Carroll: "Greening Green Street"

Press Release/PSA: Renowned Interfaith Leader and Author Eboo Patel Talks on Interfaith Cooperation To Combat Prejudice and Anti-Muslim Sentiment

The University YMCA welcomes Eboo Patel, member of President Obama's inaugural Faith Advisory Council and founder of Interfaith Youth Core, to speak on April 5th at Friday Forum.  The title of Eboo's talk is "Standing Your Sacred Ground." There is no better time to stand up for your values than when they are under attack. 

When: April 5th, 2013, 12 Noon   

Where: Latzer Hall, University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign, Illinois  

Talk Details: In the decade following the attacks of 9/11, suspicion and animosity toward American Muslims and alarmist, hateful rhetoric invoking the specter of Islam as a menacing, deeply anti-American force have become commonplace rather than being relegated to the fringes of political discourse. This prejudice is a challenge to the ideals of American life.  On April 5th, renowned interfaith leader Eboo Patel will discuss the art and science of interfaith work, showing us that Americans from George Washington to Martin Luther King Jr. have been "interfaith leaders." Sharing stories from the frontlines of interfaith activism, he'll bring to life the growing body of research on how faith can be a bridge of cooperation rather than a barrier.  Eboo's talk will coincide with his engagement as keynote speaker at the 2013 Illinois Conference on Interfaith Collaboration, on campus April 5-7.

Photo Courtesy of Interfaith Youth Core

Bio: Eboo Patel is inspired to build bridges of interfaith cooperation by his faith as a Muslim, his Indian heritage, and his American citizenship. Eboo's fight for social justice led him to create Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), an organization committed and dedicated to achieving religious pluralism and inspiring youth to challenge and change the world. Both Eboo and IFYC were honored with the Roosevelt Institute's Freedom of Worship Medal in 2009. Author of the book Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, and his latest book Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America, Eboo is also a regular contributor to the Washington Post, USA Today, Huffington Post, NPR, and CNN.

For more information about Eboo Patel, please visit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eboo-patel/

http://www.ifyc.org/about-us/eboo-patel  

Additional Information: The views expressed by the speakers do not necessarily reflect the views of the University YMCA, co-sponsors, or the Friday Forum committee. A sign language interpreter is available within a 72 hour notice (contact Carol Nunn at 217-337-1500).  All forums are radio broadcast at 6:00pm on WEFT 90.1 the Monday following the lecture.  For more information, plus a list of our sponsors, please visit  www.universityymca.org/friday_forum.