For three decades the Irish Children’s Program of Rochester (ICP) has been showing Northern Ireland’s youth how to peacefully co-exist.
Originally created to offer students from Belfast, Northern Ireland an opportunity to escape from the former turbulence of rival religions, Catholic and Protestant, ICP of Rochester helps children ages 10 to 14 become part of the positive change in their native country, by teaching them peace, the American way.
“We started in 1982, when there was tension and a divide between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland,” says Gary Roscoe of Fairport, president of the Irish Children’s Program of Rochester. “While there is tremendous progress on that front, we provide a way for the kids to come over here and explore and bring all sides together.”
The guiding principal of the program is “peace through understanding.”
Administered by a local volunteer board of directors in conjunction with a board in Belfast, this dedicated group of parents and teachers believe that the future can be better for the children of Belfast, who are living the legacy of a conflict that created segregation. Those past troubles have improved, but according to Roscoe, there is still work to be done around it, and the younger generation in Belfast is part of the key to future success there.
“Some of the schools are still segregated and kids who live a couple blocks from each other may never meet each other under the circumstances,” he says. “We don’t take sides either way, we are just here to bring them together.”
The boards work closely with each other to match Belfast students of both Catholic and Protestant descent with Rochester host families, who invite the students into their home for four or five weeks during the summer, usually in July. The families participate in activities and events run through the program, including picnics and socials, visits to local attractions, attending a baseball game, and other field trips, as they help teach the children about American culture and life. In turn, the host families learn about life in Belfast.
“As a child, the Irish Children’s Program enabled me to forge friendships with those who held different beliefs than I did. Now, as a chaperone for the program, it is enlightening to watch children build a strong bond with one another,” says Richard McCusker, Belfast Board member and current chaperone. “Belfast is undoubtedly at this moment a center of great tourism. However, religious segregation remains and I feel strongly that the work of the Irish Children’s Program needs to continue.”
The all-volunteer organization depends on the generosity of the Rochester community for fundraising efforts to support the program. They have two primary fundraisers, including selling green carnations at the Eastview Mall in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, as well as a benefit concert and silent auction in the spring. According to Roscoe, the response has been tremendous.
St. John Fisher College is working to expand the community’s awareness of the Irish culture and has become a celebrated helping hand in the mission of the ICP of Rochester, including hosting fundraising events. Another dedicated supporter is Creative Themes Day Camp in East Rochester, who donates their facilities and time to the Irish youth. The staff welcomes the Belfast students to events there, and students can enjoy activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, and games.
“Throughout my time in the program, I have witnessed children from religiously-divided communities embrace the values of open-mindedness, acceptance and tolerance,” says Jenny Stewart, Belfast Board member and current chaperone. “Friendships have developed and lasted which may not have happened otherwise. I have no doubt that this program will continue to touch lives and bring people together from Belfast and Rochester.”
Everyone plays a key role in the success of the program and according to Roscoe, the host families in Rochester donate what he fondly refers to as “the love, room, and board.” Both boards work closely together to match up the host families with the students, before the summer completing extensive surveys and throughout the visit with Belfast chaperones available 24 hours a day.
“Everyone was asking me if I was nervous and of course I was, but I think it was most nerve wracking for the host children welcoming a stranger into their home,” says Jennie Goodacre, 14, Belfast. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that couldn't be ignored. I was fortunate to be placed with a family that I get along so well with that they have become party of my family and life long friends.”
Building lifetime friendships is part of the mission of the program, and according to Roscoe, that is one of the highlights host families enjoy.
Maeve McQuilkin, 14, and her sister Nora, 12, of Spencerport, host-children, both say they have found being hosts is a very positive experience, and both agree that they have learned a lot, met a lot of wonderful people, and have made lifelong friends.
While there are occasional issues with the summer transition, the issues are typical according to Roscoe, who has also hosted students for the last five years. Homesickness is normal he says, but the bigger issues are usually around food.
“It’s 10 to14-year-old kids in a different country and house and dinner may not be what they like. Everybody has different food habits, so it sometimes can be tough,” he says.
“I know we share the same language but some of the foods are not always what they are used to. Sodas are formulated differently, our ketchup is a little sweeter, and the food packaging is different, so sometimes it can be tough for the host families to find food that the students like for five weeks.”
But despite of differences, the program touches the lives of all who it attracts.
“I enjoy the people, the wonderful host families, the wonderful kids, and great board members, it’s a good times magnet,” says Roscoe. “A lot of good people make this happen and it’s the synergy of everyone coming together that makes it run. It’s an opportunity to change a young person’s life.”
For three decades the Irish Children’s Program of Rochester (ICP) has been showing Northern Ireland’s youth how to peacefully co-exist.
Originally created to offer students from Belfast, Northern Ireland an opportunity to escape from the former turbulence of rival religions, Catholic and Protestant, ICP of Rochester helps children ages 10 to 14 become part of the positive change in their native country, by teaching them peace, the American way.
“We started in 1982, when there was tension and a divide between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland,” says Gary Roscoe of Fairport, president of the Irish Children’s Program of Rochester. “While there is tremendous progress on that front, we provide a way for the kids to come over here and explore and bring all sides together.”
The guiding principal of the program is “peace through understanding.”
Administered by a local volunteer board of directors in conjunction with a board in Belfast, this dedicated group of parents and teachers believe that the future can be better for the children of Belfast, who are living the legacy of a conflict that created segregation. Those past troubles have improved, but according to Roscoe, there is still work to be done around it, and the younger generation in Belfast is part of the key to future success there.
“Some of the schools are still segregated and kids who live a couple blocks from each other may never meet each other under the circumstances,” he says. “We don’t take sides either way, we are just here to bring them together.”
The boards work closely with each other to match Belfast students of both Catholic and Protestant descent with Rochester host families, who invite the students into their home for four or five weeks during the summer, usually in July. The families participate in activities and events run through the program, including picnics and socials, visits to local attractions, attending a baseball game, and other field trips, as they help teach the children about American culture and life. In turn, the host families learn about life in Belfast.
“As a child, the Irish Children’s Program enabled me to forge friendships with those who held different beliefs than I did. Now, as a chaperone for the program, it is enlightening to watch children build a strong bond with one another,” says Richard McCusker, Belfast Board member and current chaperone. “Belfast is undoubtedly at this moment a center of great tourism. However, religious segregation remains and I feel strongly that the work of the Irish Children’s Program needs to continue.”
The all-volunteer organization depends on the generosity of the Rochester community for fundraising efforts to support the program. They have two primary fundraisers, including selling green carnations at the Eastview Mall in the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day, as well as a benefit concert and silent auction in the spring. According to Roscoe, the response has been tremendous.
St. John Fisher College is working to expand the community’s awareness of the Irish culture and has become a celebrated helping hand in the mission of the ICP of Rochester, including hosting fundraising events. Another dedicated supporter is Creative Themes Day Camp in East Rochester, who donates their facilities and time to the Irish youth. The staff welcomes the Belfast students to events there, and students can enjoy activities like canoeing, archery, fishing, and games.
“Throughout my time in the program, I have witnessed children from religiously-divided communities embrace the values of open-mindedness, acceptance and tolerance,” says Jenny Stewart, Belfast Board member and current chaperone. “Friendships have developed and lasted which may not have happened otherwise. I have no doubt that this program will continue to touch lives and bring people together from Belfast and Rochester.”
Everyone plays a key role in the success of the program and according to Roscoe, the host families in Rochester donate what he fondly refers to as “the love, room, and board.” Both boards work closely together to match up the host families with the students, before the summer completing extensive surveys and throughout the visit with Belfast chaperones available 24 hours a day.
“Everyone was asking me if I was nervous and of course I was, but I think it was most nerve wracking for the host children welcoming a stranger into their home,” says Jennie Goodacre, 14, Belfast. “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that couldn't be ignored. I was fortunate to be placed with a family that I get along so well with that they have become party of my family and life long friends.”
Building lifetime friendships is part of the mission of the program, and according to Roscoe, that is one of the highlights host families enjoy.
Maeve McQuilkin, 14, and her sister Nora, 12, of Spencerport, host-children, both say they have found being hosts is a very positive experience, and both agree that they have learned a lot, met a lot of wonderful people, and have made lifelong friends.
While there are occasional issues with the summer transition, the issues are typical according to Roscoe, who has also hosted students for the last five years. Homesickness is normal he says, but the bigger issues are usually around food.
“It’s 10 to14-year-old kids in a different country and house and dinner may not be what they like. Everybody has different food habits, so it sometimes can be tough,” he says.
“I know we share the same language but some of the foods are not always what they are used to. Sodas are formulated differently, our ketchup is a little sweeter, and the food packaging is different, so sometimes it can be tough for the host families to find food that the students like for five weeks.”
But despite of differences, the program touches the lives of all who it attracts.
“I enjoy the people, the wonderful host families, the wonderful kids, and great board members, it’s a good times magnet,” says Roscoe. “A lot of good people make this happen and it’s the synergy of everyone coming together that makes it run. It’s an opportunity to change a young person’s life.”
