Youth Empowerment

For more than ten years, I have led youth initiatives at diverse organizations in the United States and the Middle East. Although I am transitioning to a career in journalism, I hope to continue my work with young people, particularly in a capacity that will allow me to influence policy-level decisions.

Since 2007, I've served as Program Director at Hands of Peace, a Chicago-based interfaith dialogue camp for Palestinian, Israeli, and American teenagers. Previously, I worked for two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Salt, Jordan. I taught weekly classes, led wilderness treks, and formed a girls' running team. I also launched a training program for youth leaders and coproduced an English / Arabic manual for Jordanian camp counselors.

When I work with young people, we often discuss the metaphor of "building bridges" as opposed to "building fences" in the family, in the community and in the world. I believe in the ability of young leaders to become influential bridge-builders. I also believe that struggling communities are best served by local activists who appreciate the values and unique strengths of the people they are seeking to help.