Ulster Project
of Greenville, NC
ABOUT
Learn about the history of the Ulster Project and what we are all about below!
HISTORY
Following an extended pastoral exchange with a clergyman in Manchester, Connecticut, Father Kerry Waterstone, a Church of Ireland (Anglican) priest, received a request from two congregations in that city asking him to formulate a plan in an effort to help ease the tensions in Northern Ireland. After the experience of his own family in America, Canon Waterstone felt that the attitudes of teens from Northern Ireland might be changed. If they could see and experience the way Americans have learned to live together in their “melting pot” society, they might influence the future in Northern Ireland.
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After obtaining approval from church leaders, Canon Waterstone traveled into Northern Ireland to secure the cooperation of clergy willing to help in the implementation of his plan. Forming the original guidelines for the Project, he focused on the prejudices and stereotypes, which are the root cause of the bitter strife labeled “Catholic/Protestant”. Nationally, the Project began in the United States in 1975. By 2003, Ulster Project International will have grown to 28 active American host communities paired with 8 Northern Ireland communities. Since 1975, over 6100 teens from Northern Ireland have participated in the various Ulster Project programs.
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-ulsterproject.org
OUR VISION
Following Christ as Committed Peace Builders
Fostering Understanding & Acceptance
Working Together to Build Community
Respecting Others & Ourselves
​Leading by Example in Serving Others
WHAT WE DO
Our goal is to build friendships that otherwise would not have been made, to promote peace, and build on leadership skills so when the project ends, everyone can become leaders at home and promote peace everywhere.
"Transforming young Christians into leaders & peacemakers."
OUR COMMUNITY
The Ulster Project has touched many lives throughout the years. If it weren't for the support within our communities, the Ulster Project would not be successful. We would like to thank everyone who has supported us and we hope your support will continue!
ABOUT
At the end of June, a group of teens around the age of fifteen, half protestant and half catholic, travel along with their two counselors from Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland to Greenville, NC. These teens stay with local teens during the month of July. During this month, all the teens and their four counselors do various activities each day. Some of these activities include different service projects to serve the local community, many fun events including pool parties and horseback riding, a day trip to Raleigh, and overnight trips to Oak Island and Washington D.C. The service hours completed during this month can be applied for different honors societies and college admissions or scholarships. Along with all the exciting activities that are happening throughout the month, we do go to various church services at least once a week and have Times of Discover (TOD) which contributes to personal growth of each of the teens.
Many teens in the past have made comments about their experiences including "the best month of my life". Many American teens do travel on their own over to Northern Ireland to visit their life long friends and meet their families. Although the Ulster Project is only four short weeks, it truly has a big impact on everyone involved in ways that are hard to describe.
We hope you will consider applying for this years Ulster Project!