2008 New Programs

new programs

Faith Endowment’s new programs have helped prepare the 2008 graduating class of Hellenic College.

Faith looks toward continuing support of vital programs such as the Scholarship fund and Oratorical Festival, as well as working with the Archdiocese to fund a series of grant opportunities related to its mission and the development of new programs to support the enrichment of future community members and leaders.   In 2008, Faith will fund the following initiatives:

New Greek Language Textbooks

Faith will continue to support an exciting new program which started in 2007 to produce a series of new books for a truly effective comprehensive teaching of the Greek language and culture. Authored and edited by a select group of leading specialists in relevant fields, we expect that the Archdiocese will have the first books of the new series available for usage in our schools in the course of the next year.

Professional Development Workshops

With a grant from Faith, the Archdiocese intends to inaugurate a feasibility study exploring the necessary groundwork for a new initiative, the “Faith Teaching Fellowship Program.” This program development workshop aspires to train a new generation of educators for our Greek Language and Culture Schools.   For most of the Hellenic Diaspora communities, the schools of local churches are the only place for language and cultural instruction.  There are currently 550 Greek Orthodox churches in the United States but only 350 of them have the resources and staff to support afternoon school programs.  There is not only a shortage of Greek language teachers but also a significant lack of good teacher training programs.  Proposed to be housed at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, the Faith Teaching Fellowship Program will prepare educators in Greek language instruction, grammar and culture while incorporating the key elements of Hellenism and Orthodoxy into the curriculum.

Faith Travel Fellowship/Scholarship for Ionian Village

A series of merit-based and need-based “Faith Scholarships” for young people to attend Ionian Village.

Faith University Partnerships

A partnership to fund lecture series at universities and partner with institutions such as the Mary Jaharis Institute for Byzantine Studies at Hellenic College Holy Cross Theological Seminary and Orthodox Studies Program minor at Fordham University.