CMM is home to the Interfaith Youth Initiative (IFYI), which sponsors a summer peacemaker and activist training institute for teens, college, and graduate students, as well as year-round mentoring, arts projects, and a region wide Day of Interfaith Youth Service (planned this year for Sunday afternoon and evening, March 29, 2009).

In 2008, CMM’s IFYI program experienced unprecedented growth and diversity. We doubled the number of teen participants in our 2008 Summer Institute, which focused on the theme “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World” and was co-sponsored by Episcopal Divinity School. In all, 65 youth and young adults participated, with large groups from Freedom House in Roxbury, the Muslim community in Greater Boston, the UCC, and African American Baptist traditions. The majority of teens were people of color; many were low-income, requiring significant scholarship assistance. Program highlights included peacemaking and leadership workshops, an interfaith peace march through Harvard Square, service-learning experiences with the Prison Book Project, and visits to an area Mosque and Shabbat service. In April 2008, we drew together an extraordinary network of teens and young adults for our Day of Interfaith Youth Service, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination with a day of nonviolent social action and bridge building.

CMM's Partners for Justice Advocacy Network (PJAN) uses a range of constructive, nonviolent strategies to create structural change on issues of common concern. Strategies include call-in and letter writing campaigns, petitions, visits to legislators, media work, attending hearings, joining and co-leading interfaith vigils, marches, and rallies.

Recent successes include helping increase state funding for youth violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and adult basic education; helping pass the Global Warming Solutions Act and green the state's Energy bill; helping pass the Sudan Divestment Act to address the Genocide in Darfur; helping lead the "Welcoming Mass Campaign,” Education Parity, and “Moratorium on ICE Raids” campaigns in support of immigrant rights and reform; and endorsing and supporting the “Say No on Question 1” campaign (to prevent elimination of the state income tax) and the Stand for Security campaign in support of struggling downtown security officers seeking living wages and decent benefits.  

●  Materials Assistance Program (MAP): Material assistance and referrals for our most vulnerable citizens.

In 2007-2008, our Material Aid Program collected hundreds of pounds of clothing, toys, and household goods, which we distributed through Project Care and Concern in Uphams Corner, Dorchester. We also made countless referrals to individuals seeking rental and utility assistance. Our Interfaith Youth Initiative and Day of Youth Service participants served people in need in an array of nonprofit agencies across greater Boston. In 2008, we will co-sponsor a greater Boston CROP WALK to confront global poverty and hunger.

CMM links religiously and culturally diverse congregations in long-term experiences of fellowship, dialogue, worship, and social action.

●  Interfaith and Cross-cultural Education and Dialogue (ICED)

Among other accomplishments, our Interfaith & Cross-cultural Education and Dialogue (ICED) programs in 2007-08 included hugely successful events with James Carroll and Rep. Byron Rushing, as well as our Faith and Film series. We co-hosted a peace-themed film and speakers event called “The Imam and the Pastor,” featuring major interfaith peacemakers from Nigeria, and trained 20 younger Muslim and Christian Nigerian peacemakers under the auspices of the UMass Boston Graduate Dispute Resolution Program.

●  Volunteer and social action experiences for congregations and communities

Events include vigils, prayer meetings for victims of gun violence, marches, and days of service.

In many public venues, CMM staff and clergy have been called upon this year to speak, facilitate meetings, offer interfaith prayer, meet with the Governor and his staff, attend hearings, and help lead marches and rallies. In 2007-08, we hosted and trained seven Social Action Interns, over twice as many as in the previous year.

CMM offers speakers, consultants, adult education programs and other resources to our member congregations and partner agencies. Whether your need is for a trainer to help you develop a clearer long range plan, better communication in your congregation, or more effective social justice ministry, or to learn more about homelessness, Islam, spiritual resources for confronting violence, or a wide range of other topics, CMM can develop the perfect program.

Our Speakers Bureau, Consulting, and Networking Services offered speakers on Islam, the legacy of Dr. King, Darfur, and other topics. CMM keynoted the Newton Dr. King Day Celebration and spoke at the Louis D. Brown Institute’s Mothers Day Walk for Peace, the Boston Darfur Seder, the Concord Clergy Laity meeting, and the Interfaith Rally for Security Officers. We also hosted a powerful service of Prayer and Healing for Homicide victims’ families and friends, with our partner the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.