Leader: Canon Angela Ifill, Interim Rector
ISAIAH 6:8
International Initiatives Group, INC.
And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)
Featuring
The Rising Stars Experience
(RISE)
Isaiah Initiatives is a 501 © (3) non-profit organization developed to
- Pursue Justice
- Engage Minds
- Reconcile people one to another
- Transform hearts
The overarching feature of the initiative is the Rising Stars Experience which is designed for young people ages ten to fifteen. Caring adult mentors will interact with our STARS to focus on developing skills aimed toward successful lives to adulthood.
Isaiah Initiatives will engage churches, the education system, community centers and other agencies to create platforms for conversations on issues facing communities. The organization plans to create platforms for conversations/discussions on topics such as
- Parenting skills
- Anti-bullying strategies
- Positive reinforcement
- Managing conflict
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
Pursuing Justice
At times, people find themselves in situations beyond their control and their rights are either threatened, trampled upon or denied. In such cases, the organization will provide reasonable support in helping to pursue justice for positive outcomes. Our work includes the following: raise public awareness on thorny issues; mobilize on behalf of the disenfranchised, and advocate for justice.
Goal: To obtain justice for all
Engaging Minds
The Rising Stars program is designed to bring together young people and caring adults who will talk about life skills and engage the young people in discussions on anger management, negotiating skills, problem solving and conflict management among several other topics. The twice each month discussions will also include music playing, sharing life’s stories, fun activities, camp experience and outings.
The Goal: To prepare students to successfully maneuver their life’s journey.
Reconciling
The program will discuss strategies including taking responsibility for your own words and actions, respecting self and others, asking for forgiveness to bring about healing and reconciliation with one another. The ongoing work will develop relationships across barriers to build bridges among all for caring and loving environments.
Goal: Create more wholesome, caring and loving environments.
Transforming Hearts
Conversations, discussions and dialogues will focus on what it means to go beyond words to find deeper meaning, understanding and acknowledgment of the true self to transform the heart. “Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right Spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:11)
How does Rising Stars Work?
For optimal experience and practical considerations, the Rising Stars Program is designed to meet either weekly or monthly on Saturdays according to the needs of the community in which it is being held. The leaders at each location may determine the necessary details for convening the young people for conversation and learning.
All leaders and mentors in the program must submit a biography for our files and complete background checks and safe church training.
Student participants must be enrolled by a parent and/or guardian and both must complete and sign application and parental permission and all other forms required for registration. Parents and/or guardians are expected to be actively involved in the ongoing program to ensure that the student faithfully attends each session for optimal results.
Conferences, seminars, meetings and rallies will be led by caring adults who are ready, willing and able to meet their young charges and share with them their expertise, experiences and stories from their various professions.
Rising Stars curriculum includes but is not limited to: Problem Solving, Conflict Management, Anger Manager, Public Speaking and Presentation Skills, Team Building, Story-telling, Golf, Keyboard, Steelpan.
On a quarterly basis, students will plan and make preparations to present fun events to be open to the public.
At the end of the program students will engage in commencement exercises and receive certificates for successful completion.
