In its tenth year sponsoring this program, FAITH was pleased to award 53 FAITH Travel Grants to Ionian Village to young people registering to participate in the 2017 Ionian Village summer camp.
Each year, FAITH awards full and partial financial aid travel grants to some of the most promising young people in the Greek and Hellenic-American community who may not otherwise have the opportunity to travel to Greece. The grants were awarded on a primarily need-based financial aid basis; however, each applicant’s academic performance was weighed in the evaluation review process.
At Ionian Village, participants travel across Greece visiting significant sites of Greek history and Greek Orthodox faith. At the end of each program, the campers return home with strengthened faith, lifelong friendships and an expanded appreciation for the Orthodox Church and Greek culture.
Over the last decade, FAITH has sponsored over 450 grants to young people from all metropolises across the nation to attend Ionian Village.
Read below to hear from some of the 2017 grant recipients.
"I would like to thank the Founders of FAITH for the opportunity to experience Ionian Village. It helped me grow spiritually and prepared me for my freshman year in college" -Maria F. (New York)
"The FAITH Travel Grant gave me an opportunity to grow close to my faith and Orthodox Christian youths throughout the country and has given me an opportunity to explore the wonders and miracles that Greece has to offer. " - John M. (New Jersey)
“I was thrilled to learn of my selection for the Ionian Village Scholarship and would like to express my sincere gratitude for this donation. My Orthodox faith and Greek Heritage hold special places in my heart, so attending Ionian Village has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. I never have been able to visit Greece and with upcoming college payments, I was extremely worried I would miss this chance to go. Receiving this scholarship is truly a blessing. I can now look forward to an amazing experience with much less financial worry. Thank you for your generosity and support. I know I will cherish every moment at Ionian Village and hope to bring home priceless lessons and experiences,” - Eleni O. (South Carolina)
"Thank you so much for assisting me in my effort to discover Greece this summer. I can’t thank you enough for your incredibly generous grant, without your truly kind gift, I would not be able to experience such an amazing opportunity and enrich myself in my Greek culture that I so eagerly wait to learn more about. This will be an incredibly way to end my summer." - Lia K. (Illinois)