Welcome to the Interfaith Youth Alliance website!

The Interfaith Youth Alliance, a 501 © 3 non profit public benefit organization established in 2004, aims at enriching the lives of youth through civic participation, promoting interfaith understanding and dialogue, and celebrating diversity.

Today we live in the most religiously pluralistic nation in the world, a nation that was founded on the principles of religious freedom and democracy. IFYA empowers high school and college students to become informed and engaged citizens in our religiously diverse nation.

2009 Excellence Awards Application

Deadline for submission April 3, 2009

IFYA offers youth various leadership opportunities including scholarships for Excellence in Interfaith Understanding  and Leadership and leadership empowerment  through the participation in LEADD, Leadership Education Advancing Democracy and Diversity, a week-long summer camp that brings together high school students from across the nation to become informed and engaged citizens in our religiously diverse nation.

Fresno / Clovis Interfaith Clubs

Become a member of IFYA today and join our religiously and ethnically diverse youth. Working with diverse faith leaders, IFYA members explore issues in-depth such as Role of religion in schools, First Amendment issues and America's diverse religious traditions and engage in community service & volunteer projects. If you are a student at Clovis East, Hoover or Bullard high, we encourage you to join our interfaith clubs. If interested in forming a club, email Kamal Abu-Shamsieh at shamieh@sbcglobal.net

Clovis East Interfaith Club

Established in 2007, the Clovis East Interfaith Club is the first of its kind in California. The Club has been approved by the board of Clovis Unified School District and currently meets regularly at the school. Mr. Kim Leslie is the advisor of the Club and is also supported by IFYA Chairwoman Karen Hale, who also teaches at Clovis East. To contact Clovis East Interfaith Club, talk to Mr. Leslie or Ms. Hale.

Hoover High Interfaith Club

Established in 2008, the Hoover High Interfaith Club is its initial organizing stages and has the support of the school administration. Mr. Peter Beck is the advisor of the Club, who also serves as Secretary of the Interfaith Youth Alliance. To join the Hoover High Club, contact Mr. Peter Beck.

Bullard High Interfaith Club

Established in 2008, the Bullard High Interfaith Club is its initial organizing stages and has the support of the school administration. Ms. Emma Mendez-Baker is the advisor of the Club, and is assisted by Mr. Scott Hatfield.

2009 Interfaith Youth Alliance Earth Day Clean Up

Join Interfaith Youth Alliance to commemorate Earth Day as we engage in community service projects on Saturday, April 18, 2009.

Details on the projects will be posted soon

Interfaith Baccalaureate 2009

All high school seniors are invited to join IFYA members in celebrating the achievements of our seniors in the third annual interfaith baccalaureate and the presentation of the scholarships of the Excellence in Interfaith Understanding and Leadership.

The 2009 Interfaith Baccalaureate will be on Sunday, May 31, 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: Will be announced soon

Guest Speaker: TBA

Gifts to all participating seniors

2008 / 2009 Interfaith Exchange Schedule

Interfaith Youth Alliance will join The Fresno Multifaith Exchange on the third Sunday of each month from September through May. Sessions focus on different religious faiths and include sharing of information (without proselytizing) through visits to places of worship, teaching, dialogue in small groups, and fun social exchange. 

A Multifaith Handbook published by the Multi-Faith Exchange is available for a nominal donation.

Youth and their parents are invited to meet from 3-5p.m. on the 3rd Sunday of each month from October to April at various Houses of Worship. Visits are open to all interested persons, and are structured as follows:

For further information contact: Kamal Abu-Shamsieh at shamsieh@sbcglobal.net or Linda Mack lindamack424@sbcglobal.net

LEADD CAMP

LEADD Camp Established by The Interfaith Alliance Foundation in August, 2006, the LEADD Camp hosted in its first year five high school students from the Fresno area. LEADD (Leadership Education Advancing Democracy and Diversity) is a week-long summer camp that empowers high school students to become informed and engaged citizens in our religiously diverse nation.

Interfaith Youth Alliance Educational Program 2008/2009

The Interfaith Youth Alliance has teamed with the Multi-faith Exchange, an interfaith organization in Fresno, and will be conducting monthly visits to Houses of Worship. The educational program will take place on the third Sunday of every month from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Youth will have the opportunity to tour places of worship and visit with youth of diverse religious backgrounds such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikh, Baha'i, etc.

Full schedule of the monthly visits will be posted soon.

2008 Excellence Awards Application

Deadline for submission March 21, 2008

IFYA offers youth various leadership opportunities including scholarships for Excellence in Interfaith Understanding  and Leadership and leadership empowerment  through the participation in LEADD, Leadership Education Advancing Democracy and Diversity, a week-long summer camp that brings together high school students from across the nation to become informed and engaged citizens in our religiously diverse nation.

Earth Day 2008

Join Interfaith Youth Alliance to commemorate Earth Day as we engage in community service projects on Saturday, April 19, 2008.

Details on the projects will be posted soon

Interfaith Baccalaureate 2008

Join IFYA members in celebrating the achievements of our seniors in the second annual interfaith baccalaureate and the presentation of the scholarships of the Excellence in Interfaith Understanding and Leadership.

The 2008 Interfaith Baccalaureate will be on Sunday, May 18, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno
2672 East Alluvial (between Chestnut and Willow)

Guest Speaker: Mr. Jeff Eben

Gifts to all participating seniors