 White Plains, NY - The Shinnyo-en Foundation and The White Plains Bridge of Friendship Foundation, in cooperation with the office of Hon. Joseph M. Delfino, Mayor of the City of White Plains, are hosting the Bridge of Friendship Event October 26th at the White Plains Performing Arts Center to unveil their newest plans in a continued effort to cultivate relationships amongst the city’s diverse population.
Over the last 13 years, these two Foundations have enabled the City of White Plains, through numerous grants, to support programs aimed at building on the richness of its cultural diversity and reducing the tension that cultural differences often create.
“The Shinnyo-en Foundation and the Bridge of Friendship Foundation continue to act as catalysts for constructive change in our community,” said Mayor Joseph Delfino, “With their newest initiatives, the two foundations are helping White Plains prepare more of its young citizens for the future by providing them with outstanding educational opportunities that recognize these citizens' positive contributions to the City.”
“From the very beginning, we were touched by the way White Plains embraced us into the community, and for the warmth and support of the people of White Plains,” said Haru Inouye, Executive Director, Shinnyo-en Foundation, “We look forward to a continued partnership and being of assistance in creating a promising and rewarding future for the City’s community.”
The event will highlight the introduction of initiatives set forth by the Mayor Delfino with the Shinnyo-en Foundation and the Bridge of Friendship Foundation:
* Announcement of Grants This year, the Shinnyo-en Foundation and the Bridge of Friendship Foundation are giving $35,000 towards the local theater program, the White Plains Marine Science Program and the City’s Sculpture Garden.
* Creation of the Mayor Joseph Delfino Community Service Scholarship The Shinnyo-en Foundation will announce the creation of a scholarship in Mayor Delfino’s name that will honor three (3) local teenagers, who have made contributions for a more peaceful community in the White Plains area. The scholarship winners will each receive $1,000 towards the pursuit of higher education or a certificate from a vocational/professional school of their choice.
* Presidential Service Awards White Plains has a long history of community service. Today Mayor Delfino is announcing the initiation of the Presidential Service Awards in the City which will recognize those citizens that embody the best in American spirit. Issued by the President’s Council of Service and Participation, the winners will be announced in April. Award recipients will receive a personalized certificate of achievement and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States.
* Harmony Sculpture Hon. Bishop Isao Ito, a Bishop in the Shinnyo-en Order and Chairman of the Univers Foundation, will be presenting a sculpture to the community of White Plains on temporary loan from the Order’s private collection. The bronze sculpture of Prince Shotoku, the person who introduced Buddhism to Japan, was carved by the Founder of Shinnyo-en, Hon. Shinjo Ito and stands more than four feet tall. Prince Shotoku incorporated the Buddhist principles of peace, harmony, and salvation for all beings, as the ideals underlying the first Constitution of Japan made up of 17 Articles. The sculpture will serve not only as a symbol of harmony but also as a reflection of the long standing and strong friendship between the City and the Shinnyo-en Order.
The Bridge of Friendship's relationship with the City of White Plains began in 1994 when the Shinnyo-en Order built a temple on North Street within the City limits. For more than a decade, the City together with the Shinnyo-en Foundation and Bridge of Friendship Foundation have worked toward building a better understanding of the strengths of cultural diversity in the White Plains' community.
Shinnyo-en Foundation
The Shinnyo-en Foundation was created as a secular organization, stemming from the Shinnyo-en Order, to build more caring communities by supporting programs that engage and inspire young people in meaningful acts of service, regardless of faith or background. The mission of the Foundation is to bring forth deeper compassion amongst humankind, to promote greater harmony, and to nurture future generations toward building more caring communities. In the spirit of the Shinnyo-en Order, the Foundation promotes the power of the individual to create a world of harmony, united by acceptance, respect and good will.
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