By The Rev. Terri Stewart, Director of the Youth Chaplaincy Coalition

In the quest to expand the cultural competency that serves the youth in juvenile detention, we have created an inter-religious calendar of holy and sacred days across traditions. Last week, we had a meeting with an intersection of school, detention, food service, and chaplain staff. We are discerning how best to provide support to youth through creativity, education, spiritual nourishment, and, of course, food!

Our calendar through the end of 2020:

10/29 – Islam: Mawlid (Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday)

10/31-11/2 – Mexico: Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) – rooted in two traditions: the Christian observance of All Saints and All Souls Day, and two Aztec festivals of souls of the dead

11/14 – Hindu: Diwali – one of the most important Hindu festivals, celebrating different gods and goddesses;

12/1 – LGBTQIA2S+: World AIDS Day

12/10-18 – Jewish: Hanukkah – commemorates the Jewish victory over Syrian Greeks in 165 B.C.E., restoring Jewish independence (festival of lights)

12/12 – Mexico: Fiesta de Guadalupe Feast – Mexico’s patron saint

12/21 – Pagan and Wiccan: Yule – begins at sundown

12/25 – Christian: Christmas – marks the birth of Jesus Christ

12/26 – Black: Kwanzaa (12/26-1/1) – a tribute to African festivals of harvest

 

Intersectional liberation comes when we work intersectionally together! Bringing together the different departments that connect to youth’s lives creates an integrated holy-day experience and will provide a better understanding of the world-wide community to our incarcerated youth.

« Grieving in Detention During COVID: How we’re supporting our youth | Sign up for a Thanksgiving Food Bag! »