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Project teaches teens tolerance
ULSTER PROJECT | A look back
The project was founded in 1974 by the Rev. Kerry Waterstone in Tullamore, Ireland, and initially focused on attacking prejudices that were a root cause of bitter strife between many Catholics and Protestants in that country.
The Rev. Mr. Waterstone selected 15-year-olds as participants largely because he felt they were old and mature enough to learn from new experiences while not yet being committed to any militant group.
Early goals included exposing participants to new friendships, encouraging them to communicate across barriers and addressing stereotypes that caused sectarianism in Northern Ireland.
Irish and American teens and their parents conducted meetings to prepare both sets of families for a month in the United States.
American host teenagers benefited by gaining an increased understanding of another culture and greater appreciation for the freedoms they enjoyed at home.
Today, the Ulster Project continues to work toward promoting a peaceful parity between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland through building tolerance, trust and ongoing positive relationships.
Source: Ulster Project International Conference
The monthlong experience gives youngsters plenty of opportunities to give back to the community.
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN — The history of strife between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland can be traced back several centuries.
For the last several decades, though, the Ulster Project has been dedicated to chipping away at the causes of the tension and building bridges, one family at a time.
Between 80 and 100 members of the local and national Ulster chapters were on hand Thursday for a series of meetings and workshops as part of the three-day 2009 Mahoning Valley/International Ulster Peace Project Conference at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive.
The seminar, “Bridge to Tomorrow,” wraps up Saturday at St. Patrick Church on Oak Hill Avenue in Youngstown.
As part of the 35-year-old Ulster Project, selected 15-year-old Irish teens spend a month, usually from late June to the end of July, with American host families who also have a 15-year-old and participate in local service projects, attend worship services and take part in recreational activities.
A main thrust is to break down religious barriers and encourage acceptance, explained Rosemarie Jay, secretary and a planning committee member of the local chapter.
“It’s to appreciate acceptance and tolerance for one another and get past what faith they are,” she pointed out. “Faith is part of you, but not your center.”
The gathering is intended to allow members to reconnect with one another; come up with new ideas and strategies; and evaluate and broaden current ones, noted Teresita Hartz, a planning committee chairwoman.
This past June, 12 teens and two counselors from Ireland stayed with the same number of area host families, Jay continued. Service efforts included working at the Mill Creek Children’s and Potential Development centers as well as the Purple Cat in Coitsville, a day program that assists adults with mental and other challenges.
Recreation for the youngsters included, among other things, spending a day at Cedar Point in Sandusky, shopping at the Eastwood and Grove City outlet malls and taking part in a swimming party.
“They bond like nothing I’ve ever witnessed,” Jay added.
To be part of the international program, teens must exhibit leadership skills in school, the community and church, noted Father John Forsythe, director of Ulster Project International.
An integral part of the experience for the teens is a time of discovery, which offers them an opportunity once a week to reflect on sectarianism in Ireland and racism in America, Father Forsythe explained.
To that end, he continued, Catholic teens attend Protestant services and vice versa.
“They do things together and their humanity comes out,” he added.
A total of about 500,000 American and Irish teens have been in the program since its inception in the mid-1970s, Father Forsythe said, adding that such participation often leads to lifelong friendships and offers “a great degree of credibility on a r sum .”
The Mahoning Valley and 24 other U.S. cities are host sites; of those, 15 are being represented at the conference.
The Ulster Project chapter meets at 7 p.m. the first Sunday of each month at Zion Lutheran Church, 3300 Canfield Road in Cornersburg. To become a host family or volunteer, call Jay at (330) 758-8546, or visit www.ulsterprojectmv.com.