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Bridge Builders

A rich mosaic of photos and narratives from a diverse group of campus and community leaders.

Stories from the University YMCA

The culmination of a summer project inspired by Eboo Patel’s “We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy.” Explore the wide array of perspectives and learn how the University YMCA has been fostering connections and building bridges for over 150 years in Champaign-Urbana and beyond.

Learn more about how the Y is promoting interfaith cooperation through our programming and Affiliated student organization, Interfaith in Action.

Join us for a project reception on Tuesday, September 3 from 6:00-7:30 at the University YMCA. Light refreshments will be provided and remarks will start at 6:30.

Read Bridge Builder Stories

Akua Forkuo-Sekyere

Director, New American Welcome Center
Read Their Story

Ann Rasmus

Associate Director, University YMCA
Read Their Story

Awad Awad

Director, Salaam MENA Cultural Center
Read Their Story

Belinda Guillen

Immigrant Family Services, New American Welcome Center
Read Their Story

Carly Froomkin-Barak

Associate Director, Illini Hillel Center for Jewish Life
Read Their Story

Chris McConkey

Office Support Specialist, Diversity & Social Justice Education
Read Their Story

Emily McKown

President, Religious Workers' Association
Read Their Story

Faizi Tofighi

Vice President, Interfaith in Action
Read Their Story

Halima Lat

Outreach Officer, Muslim Students Association
Read Their Story

Imam Ousmane Sawadogo

Central Illinois Mosque & Islamic Center
Read Their Story

James Trask

Social Action Chair, Interfaith in Action + Y Resident
Read Their Story

Jonathan Alday

Immigration Legal Assistant, New American Welcome Center
Read Their Story

Lily Rybka

President, Interfaith in Action + UYMCA Student Board
Read Their Story

Nicole Frydman

Director of Operations, Uniting Pride Champaign County
Read Their Story

Noi Phetchareune

Proprietor, Y-Thai Eatery
Read Their Story

Pr. Jon Fry

St. Andrew's Lutheran Campus Center
Read Their Story

Pr. Michael Crosby

First Mennonite Church of Champaign-Urbana
Read Their Story

Rebecca Hodson

Associate Director, International Education
Read Their Story

Rev. Cindy Shepherd

Green Team Director, Faith in Place
Read Their Story

Rev. Leah Robberts-Mosser

Community United Church of Christ
Read Their Story

Ross Wantland

Director of Curriculum Development and Education, OVCDEI
Read Their Story

Sophie Chiewtrakoon

President, Rural Area Student Initiative
Read Their Story

This project was made possible by a grant funded by Team Up, a national collaboration between Catholic Charities USA, Habitat for Humanity International, YMCA of the USA, and Interfaith America.

Support the work of change makers!

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