CFP U.S. Teen Application - Part 1 (Completed by teen)

THIS FORM TO BE COMPLETED BY THE TEENAGER. DO NOT COMPLETE THE APPLICATION ON A CELL PHONE. 

(Before completing this application form, please print and read the document titled TEEN FAMILY HANDBOOK and the Commitment of Participation found on the CFP web site. It will help familiarize you with our program)
 

Creating Friendships for Peace, Inc. is a volunteer grassroots organization whose mission is to promote and strengthen friendships between teens from divided communities and extend those friendships to their families and friends.  The friendships are developed through home stays with American families.  Each family hosts two teens – one from each side of a conflict.  The teen pair shares a room and learns about each other, understanding their different perspectives and realizing that friendships can develop despite significant political and cultural differences.  With friendship, an atmosphere is created that allows for mutual respect and understanding – a key ingredient for peace. CFP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the United States.  Our volunteers were active in Northern Ireland from 1981 until 2007.  We are currently active in Cyprus since 2009 and Israel/Palestine since 2018. In our efforts to maintain neutrality, we do not accept government funding and rely solely on gifts from individuals, charitable foundations and businesses who wish to make a difference for peace in the world. Creating Friendships for Peace believes in self-determination and peaceful conflict resolution for all cultures and nations. 

 

“I know if everyone had a sister/brother/sibling on the other side that they felt close to as much as I did to my pair, we would all be so much closer to peace.”  Summer ’22 CFP Teen

 

Peacebuilding and conflict prevention are not challenges confined to distant lands; the United States, grappling with increasing polarization and social divisions, is certainly not immune. To navigate these complex landscapes, it is crucial that all youth feel empowered to learn skills that enable them to understand diverse narratives and cultivate critical listening abilities, fostering empathy and bridging divides within your own communities. Our goal is to provide these essential learning opportunities to equip the next generation with the tools for constructive dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Building friendships and trust are key ingredients to fostering a peaceful society. 

  For this reason we are inviting youth ages 15-18 from the U.S. to apply to our program.  You will not be hosted by an American Family but you will participate alongside our teens from Cyprus and/or Israel where you will join in the peacebuilding journey.  You will attend the required workshops which include a welcome celebration, team building/ropes course, public speaking, conflict prevention/resolution, environmental and community service activities and a farewell party.   You will be encouraged to participate in optional activities as well.  Activities will vary slightly from region to region.

The program will run from roughly July 13, 2026 to August 13, 2026. Activities held primarily Monday through Friday.   The local area coordinator will provide you a detailed schedule of what the activity is and where you will need to be. 

  
OUR HOSTING AREAS ARE: 

Wilmington, NC: Jon Berger jonb@friendships4peace.org

Houston, TX: Amanda VanDusen: amandav@friendships4peace.org

Portland, OR/SW Washington: Jessica Ambrose: jessicaa@friendships4peace.org

IMPORTANT DATES:

•  Applications will close April 1, 2026
• Program will run from July 13 to August 10, 2026 
• Interviews will be held via Zoom  week of April 6-13, 2026 (you will be notified by phone and interview dates are subject to change).
• Final candidate selection will be no later than April 20, 2026  (notified by email and phone)
• There is a $20 application fee (paid online via Parent application)  and if selected a program fee of $250.00 (to be paid within 10 days of selection)

  As a participant you will be a CFP Ambassador for the United States and upon successful completion of the program you will earn a CFP Graduation Certificate just as our teens from Cyprus and Israel will.    You will join a large and longstanding group of CFP Alumni from Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Israel/Palestine who are committed to making our world a more peaceful place.
 

We look forward to seeing  your application!

 Questions should be directed to tammyh@friendships4peace.org



PLEASE SAVE THE URL FOR THIS APPLICATION TO YOUR DESKTOP SO THAT YOU MAY RETURN TO THE APPLICATION FOR EDITS AND ADDITIONS.  NOT DOING THIS WILL REQUIRE YOU TO BEGIN A NEW APPLICATION.