Ethical Culture offers a meaningful Coming-of-Age program "beyond belief" -- open to youth -- in recognition of how crucial it is to support, empower, appreciate and nurture the explorations of young people in creating a humane society.
WHO... WHAT.... WHERE... WHY..... WHEN... HOW (COSTS & FAMILY COMMITMENT)
Families of youth and young teens are encouraged and welcomed
into this community grounded in Ethical Learning.
Newcomers are welcome.
Explorers are welcome.
Curious families are welcome.
This program takes place with project-based engagement and culminates in an individual's FINAL PROJECT & a community CELEBRATION.
WHO?
This program is designed to include diverse young people within their exploratory tween and teen years. We welcome those who seek inner and worldly inquiry, recognizing that the age range may be as wide as 12-16 years
We recognize the deep maturity of some on the younger end of this spectrum, and we also recognize the hopes of some on the older end of this spectrum who may not have had opportunities like this so far in life. That is why the stated range of age is relatively wide. Determining when your child is ready for this process is not simply based solely on age qualification, but on maturity, desire, and personal need.
This program is designed to include diverse young people within their exploratory tween and teen years. We welcome those who seek inner and worldly inquiry, recognizing that the age range may be as wide as 12-16 years
We recognize the deep maturity of some on the younger end of this spectrum, and we also recognize the hopes of some on the older end of this spectrum who may not have had opportunities like this so far in life. That is why the stated range of age is relatively wide. Determining when your child is ready for this process is not simply based solely on age qualification, but on maturity, desire, and personal need.
In recognition of the diversity of NYC families' experiences, we open our group to each family with youth who are seeking support for these transitional years of growth. Families of all perspectives are welcome, with full respect for home traditions and cultures.
The guiding goal is to provide a safe creative grounding for each individual to blossom within ethical community. With a non-theist anchor of goodness, we will journey as deeply into ourselves as we do, out into the world of ideas and values.
This program aims to be enjoyable and creative and can include:
field trips,
group workshops,
leadership development,
field trips,
group workshops,
leadership development,
journaling workbook
DEEDS: doing ethical experiential actions of contribution
DEEDS: doing ethical experiential actions of contribution
WHERE?
Some Ethical Culture societies around the country have Coming of Age programs. The program at the New York Society For Ethical Culture (NYSEC) is part of a larger historical movement of putting ethics at life's center, represented by American Ethical Union (AEU). While holding space for diverse belief and non-belief visions that inspire people toward their goodness, we come together to explore and hold as the highest imperative: ethical relationship. In this sense, Ethical Culture is a religion of humanism, of ethical-centeredness, of what we all may strive to grow in one another and thereby ourselves: GOODNESS on EARTH.
WHY?
In many traditions, the space between childhood and teenage life is marked with a profound learning period and celebrated with a rite of passage. At Ethical Culture, people embrace an ethical path rich with diverse visions and rooted in humane values, we collaboratively create this excursion with young people, mentors, and family members.
This is a kind of "hero's journey," (reference to cultural teacher, Joseph Campbell), wherein one's development is intended to transform them, challenging understandings of the world, and strengthening offerings toward the world.
We will be using a three-pillar model throughout: Self, Community, World. This can translate to: Feelings, Actions, Vision.
WHEN?
Our group schedule takes place on weekends, primarily Saturday or Sunday afternoons -- once or twice monthly. Meetings with mentors are supported, and meeting space can be provided to support mentorships at the meeting house as necessary or requested. The schedule will be modified with those participating to accommodate the group's commitment to working together.
Our group schedule takes place on weekends, primarily Saturday or Sunday afternoons -- once or twice monthly. Meetings with mentors are supported, and meeting space can be provided to support mentorships at the meeting house as necessary or requested. The schedule will be modified with those participating to accommodate the group's commitment to working together.
HOW? COSTS & FAMILY COMMITMENT
Participation for The Ethical coming of age program requires commitment and follow through.
Permissions must be granted by a guardian.
Ethical Scholarships are available.
Envisioning Family Collaboration:
Family members are encouraged to stay closely tied to the ethical processes of their young ones at NYSEC and to engage in their own ethical explorations here at NYSEC as well. Families may choose to consider allying themselves as a MEMBER FAMILY or FRIEND FAMILY to New York Society for Ethical Culture during this process. This recognizes that in participating in this program, you are indeed contributing to the Ethical Culture community.
There are 3 possible routes of family support:
1. FAMILY EMBERSHIP: Families/Parents are encouraged (not required) to become members of ETHICAL, in order to be operating in fully supportive engagement throughout this process. Members fill out applications, get affirmed by the Ethical Board of Directors, and make choice-based annual financial contributions as well as participating in the Ethical community. The cost of participation in this program is inclusive with Ethical membership at NYSEC.
1. FAMILY EMBERSHIP: Families/Parents are encouraged (not required) to become members of ETHICAL, in order to be operating in fully supportive engagement throughout this process. Members fill out applications, get affirmed by the Ethical Board of Directors, and make choice-based annual financial contributions as well as participating in the Ethical community. The cost of participation in this program is inclusive with Ethical membership at NYSEC.
2. FRIEND WITH FEE: Families who choose to not join as Ethical Culture members, may affiliate with Ethical NYC as a "A Friend-Family" and pay an enrollment fee for the program. Note: no participant will be excluded for lack of funds -- see #3.
3. FRIEND WITH SCHOLARSHIP: The enrollment fee is not meant to exclude any participant who wishes to enroll in this program. To ensure that NYSEC is economically-inclusive, participants may apply for a non-invasive, need-based scholarship. To do so, please contact the program director, at akindred@nysec.org
ETHICAL CULTURE MEMBERSHIP involves the FOUR T's that keep things moving forth in this collaborative community of ethics:
Time, Talent, Training, Treasure.
Ethical membership may be discussed with the leader of Ethical by appointment.
The first two T's, Time and Talent, are inherent in the parenting endeavor of raising ethical children, which NYSEC recognizes as being a true contribution to the world's humanity at large as well as the to the Society For Ethical Culture. You may also wish to volunteer some of your time to join the Ethical Education Committee of NYSEC or chaperone the field trips. You may wish to share your passions and professions in an expansive and rewarding way here.
The first two T's, Time and Talent, are inherent in the parenting endeavor of raising ethical children, which NYSEC recognizes as being a true contribution to the world's humanity at large as well as the to the Society For Ethical Culture. You may also wish to volunteer some of your time to join the Ethical Education Committee of NYSEC or chaperone the field trips. You may wish to share your passions and professions in an expansive and rewarding way here.
The third T, "Training" is an invitation to learn together about Ethical Community.
The fourth T: "Treasure"addresses fiscal contribution. Financial limitation shall NOT keep any family away, and we fully honor financial hardship as a reality for some of our valued families and we thereby offer our support. This said, in the realm of "treasure," NYSEC Family Membership does include making an affordable, inspired fiscal contribution to NYSEC. You may determine a fiscal contribution to NYSEC's Family Membership Plan based on a sliding scale that honors your families needs and hopes within the wide range suggested: between $100-$1000 per year. The wide ranging option is explicitly offered to make sure no family is left out. Traditionally at NYSEC, individual memberships are suggested as 2% of income. Your contribution is private and self-determined, and may be discussed with an Ethical leader. It can be sent to NYSEC in care of "Family Membership Plan ~coming of age" all at once or in installments.
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