2011 AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
2011 One Chicago, One Nation
One Chicago, One Nation was designed by One Nation, The Chicago Community Trust, Link TV, Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN), and Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) to bring together Chicagoans of diverse faiths and cultures, with an emphasis on the Muslim community, to get to know one another by addressing local needs.
Launched in January 2010, One Chicago, One Nation is currently in its second year. 50 Community Ambassadors – representing 9 faith traditions, 8 local universities and hailing from all over the Chicagoland area – were selected and trained in interfaith leadership for social action in January 2011. During the spring of 2011, the Community Ambassadors will be leading interfaith efforts to address local issues such as hunger, homelessness, poverty, human trafficking, environment, literacy, bilingual education, mental health, and leadership development for under-served youth. Community Ambassadors will also be mobilizing others to build interfaith relationships rooted in shared values and common concerns.
The 50 Community Ambassadors are divided into three main tracks: Campus, Congregation, and IMAN. The 30 Campus & Congregation Community Ambassadors work closely with IFYC staff to implement the national Better Together campaign on their university campuses and in their religious communities. The 20 Community Ambassadors in the IMAN track are further subdivided into the 3 focus areas of Community Development, Health & Wellness, and Arts & Culture.
The impact of the 2011 Community Ambassadors has already been felt in the city of Chicago. They have hosted a crowd of over 400 at a Community Café with internationally renowned artists and environmental activists, raised awareness on the issue of hunger in suburban Chicago and planted interfaith organic gardens on the south side of Chicago. Their impact will continue to increase this spring and summer, as interfaith music concerts, themed interfaith gatherings, and projects designed to raise awareness of health and wellness issues, safety, and human trafficking are unveiled.
Learn more about the inspiring 2011 Community Ambassadors and their projects here.
