Episcopal Press and News
Report on General Convention Youth Program
Diocesan Press Service. December 9, 1971 [97-3]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- The Young Generation Program Advisory Group to the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church had the most enthusiastic attention of the more than 60 Council members and staff people present when it made its report to the Council at its meeting December 7-9.
These are administrators of the General Convention Youth Program (GCYP), which seeks to aid young people in the initiation of decisions affecting their lives. They reported grants of a little more than $100, 000 in seven general regions of the country, most of which were fundings of $5,000 or under, to seed community health, counselling, educational and cultural centers.
Three projects in the Pacific Northwest, seven in the Southwest, four in the Northwest, one Midwest, five Southeast and four in the Northeast represent a ministry to young Blacks, Indians, Chicanos, and other urban and rural young people.
Robert Davidson, Council member and Young Generation chairman, a college student from Lawrence, Kans., introduced the young people on his committee: Barbara Belcher, Radnor, Pa.; Eddie Blue, Bloomington, Ind.; Josephine Nicholson, Washington, D.C., and Frank Taylor, Wise, Va.
Paul Fletcher, chairman of the GCYP Pacific Northwest and Teofilo (Ted) Moreno, co-chairman of the Southwest, both college students, described projects in their regions. The largest single GCYP grant of $12,285, to the Harrison Madrone Youth Activities Center in Seattle, was the subject of a film in which Mr. Fletcher traced the development of an ecumenical cultural center where young black people are learning communications and leadership skills. He said this was one of three proposals they funded out of a total of 50 applications received.
Ted Moreno told how the Southwest group, like the others, was formed of young people recommended by Episcopal Bishops of the area, took the initiative in making decisions determining their own destinies, to achieve systematic change.
Still in the process of unification, Mr. Moreno said, Chicano youth need more than money, so the Southwest Committee "took the role of servant so we may grow and be agents of renewal for Chicano people."
Out of 18 proposals, they funded seven, making the decision that they would give maximum grants of $5,000.
"Chicanos wish to live in peace and brotherhood, " he said, "which I believe is the goal of all Christians."
Four other Council members make up the Young Generation Program Advisory Group: Dr. John Coburn, New York City; Dr. John Yamazaki, Los Angeles; Dr. Charles Willie, Syracuse, and the Rev. Grant A. Morrill, Jr., New Canaan, Conn. The Advisory Group is assisted by the Rev. James McAlpine and Mrs. Ruth Cheney, staff members.
Each of the seven regional committees, each autonomous, is composed of 15 members. They are operating on a General Convention grant of $250,000 per year for this triennium. The United Thank Offering has funded regional staff workers and the Diocese of Delaware and the Diocese of Vermont each made a $5, 000 Faith grant to the GCYP at large.
Each region received funds according to a formula which reflected past financial commitment for youth ministries by dioceses, current opportunities to generate new forms of youth empowerment, and the number of young people in the region.
