Building bridges of interfaith cooperation across the Carolinas.
Bridge Builders is a regional partner of national nonprofit, Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC). Our collective work seeks to overcome religious and worldview difference to meet people where they are, solving problems through conscious, caring, and deliberate cooperation.
We accomplish this by mobilizing our network of higher education campus partners, local nonprofit organizations, and faith/philosophical communities to build bridges of understanding as we work toward the common good.
Current Priority Initiative:
Faith in the Vaccine Ambassadors (FIVA)
Bridging gaps in COVID-19 vaccine access and education in
underserved and marginalized communities across the Carolinas.
Since the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021, our host organization, Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) has engaged over 100 higher education campus partners and 2,000 student ambassadors to expand vaccine access and information to underserved pockets of our nation.
With a $1 million grant from The Duke Endowment, our organization is building on this important work by carrying forward these high-impact "Faith in the Vaccine" clinics with 18 new higher education campus partners across both North and South Carolina.
Today, only half of the population of the Carolinas is vaccinated. Our next wave of vaccine outreach will prioritize childhood vaccines and boosters, extending vaccine outreach and education to communities who need it most.
Read the Latest News & Updates
Who Are Bridge Builders?
Change-agents. Community-oriented. Believers in the greater good.
Accepting of all perspectives, beliefs, and values.
Lucca Ferreira, Queens University '25
Faith in the Vaccine Student Ambassador & Storytelling Intern
"My faith background is spiritism and my beliefs have only gotten stronger throughout my life. I work with Bridge Builders because I wanted to get more deeply involved in our community and to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have learned that there is not mutual respect and trust in our society like I was raised to believe. I look forward to digging deeper into why people have this skepticism and to build trust where I can."
Jackson Kakwenya, Johnson C. Smith University '25
Faith in the Vaccine Student Ambassador
"Through Bridge Builders, I’ve learned so much. Not just about the COVID-19 vaccine, but about the value of trust-building, dignity and respect. I was raised as a Christian and while my beliefs are a big part of why I want to help others, I now have a deeper appreciation for the many beliefs in the world and all of the types of people that come with them."
Reverend Sonja Lee
Founder of Community Partner Lionel Lee Jr. Center for Wellness
"It is important to me to bring accurate information to the community. The best thing we can do for our communities is to show up, provide information, listen, and empathize."
Build Bridges With Us
There are many ways for students, individuals and organizations to get involved in our work as we grow.
Please review opportunities below and reach out to us to learn more.
College Students:
Organizations:
Individuals:
Funders:
Serve as a
student ambassador
Learn about our
future phase needs
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partner
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volunteer