Last week, we were joined by Tegan Kurzynowski, programs and community engagement manager at Friends Forever International (FFI), and two FFI alumni, Eden Neiberg and Éirinn McAleese. Tegan logged in from Durham, NH and shared some of what FFI has been doing this past year during the pandemic and how they have been able to expand some of their programming in their virtual environment. She also noted that FFI is celebrating its 35^th anniversary and is pleased to continue its partnership with the Salem Rotary Club. Tegan then introduced two FFI alumni: Eden and Éirinn.

 

Eden Neiberg joined us from Tel Aviv where it was 7:20 PM and in the mid 80s. Eden shared that he went through the program as a student and returned to the US in the summer 2019 as an FFI leader. It was then he visited Salem for the first time and went to the witch museum. He continues to volunteer with FFI as an alumnus from their Middle East Program, hosting a leadership program in the fall of 2019 and a weekend event for alumni in March 2020. COVID-19 has halted traditional FFI programming, but Eden has helped the organization adapt to a virtual environment and is now able to interact with more FFI contacts worldwide. They continue with alumni projects, created a shared lockdown playlist, and continue with Zoom meetings and workshops. One such workshop focused on human connection and peace. These virtual activities gave people something to look forward to at a time when everyone was feeling isolated. Eden additionally formed a volunteer squad to help children of health workers and started an environmental movement. With some pandemic restrictions being lifted in Israel and with flights resuming, Eden is looking forward to getting together for in-person FFI events again. That being said, he expects FFI will continue its activism both virtually and in person going forward.

 

Éirinn McAleese is a more recent FFI alumna, having participated in the program during the summer of 2017. She joined us from Belfast where it was 5:30 PM and 40 degrees. Éirinn stays busy working part time at a grocery store and attending college. She also volunteers at her local foodbank. Éirinn was not able to visit Salem during her FFI experience but is a fan of Salem history and looks forward to coming soon. She was an alumni facilitator for the team scheduled to go to Rochester, NH and hopes to be able to visit the states when FFI trips resume. She has enjoyed the virtual meetings with FFI, because it has given them the ability to grow their network and become a huge family. She noted that she would not have met Eden if not for the pandemic and the virtual environment, and she now considers him a good friend. She looks forward to being able to meet him in person, and our Club looks forward to hosting FFI at the Hawthorne, hopefully next year!

Sam Clarke of Salem

Sold by Tim Clarke

None this week.