named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
American Ways Forward!
Discussion group hosted at Lifelong that explores personal and policy changes to address political and social challenges.
Circle of Symbols
Educational tool using 37 symbols representing religious, cultural, scientific, and political worldviews to foster dialogue and understanding across differences.
Individual and Couples Coaching
Coaching offered by founder Eric Clay for people facing challenges in relationships, faith transitions, end-of-life decisions, and personal fulfillment.
Men’s Group
Group for men to explore changing roles, commitments, and healthy living across the life cycle.
Small Discussion Groups
Ongoing weekly groups in Ithaca that bring together diverse individuals to explore personal and relational challenges, practice communication skills, and grow through feedback.
The Creative Life
Program for individuals developing creative skills through life transitions, including poetry, visual art, music, and comedy.
The Made of Clay Report
Community radio show on WRFI featuring interviews and discussions on life issues, with archives of over 700 episodes.
activities · 8 groups
What they do
-
Interfaith Dialogue & Peacebuilding 2 activities
- Distributes facilitation resources for community dialogueProvides templates, definitions, and facilitation resources for the “Circle of Symbols” activity to community and religious groups to support intergroup dialogue.
- Facilitates multifaith and intergroup dialogue programsHosts weekly discussion groups, learning groups, and local multifaith events in Ithaca that engage individuals across differences of religion, race, class, and culture. These programs explore personal and political challenges and support meaningful life transitions through structured group dialogue.
-
-
Christian Missionary and Church Planting Efforts 1 activity
- Conducts international cross-cultural and missionary workConducted missionary and cross-cultural work in Russia for 15 years and in the Middle East for five years.
-
-
Music Education and Training Programs 1 activity
- Delivers music educationProvides piano lessons to children and adults in Freeville.
-
-
Community Art Education Workshops 1 activity
- Offers creative and artistic development programsRuns programs where participants develop creative skills and share feedback on poetry, visual art, and music, particularly during life transitions. Also offers occasional workshops to improve speaking and reading voice.
-
-
Podcast and Radio Production 1 activity
- Produces community media contentProduces and shares over 700 recorded interviews and topical shows through The Made of Clay Report and a community radio program on WRFI in Ithaca. Maintains an archive of recorded conversations on social and personal issues.
-
-
Comprehensive Care Management Services 1 activity
- Provides downsizing and transition support for older adultsOffers practical assistance to older adults preparing to transition to new living situations, including support with downsizing.
-
-
Peer-Led Mental Health Support Groups 1 activity
- Provides mentoring and personal development support groupsHosts a men's group focused on exploring changing life roles and strategies for healthy, meaningful living. Offers coaching and mentoring through music and active community participation in Freeville.
-
-
Kosher Meal Services 1 activity
- Supports food access and sustainability initiativesConducted educational programs and multifaith collaborations to support kosher and halal food access, including working with Cornell Dining and the Food Science department to make the on-campus dairy production plant kosher. Participated in long-term efforts to increase food security and sustainability on Cornell’s campus through membership on the Student Assembly Dining Committee. Worked to establish a local kosher standard within a congregation to promote inclusive communal dining.
-
financials · form 990EZ · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$77K
Contributions & grants$32K42%
Program service revenue$6K8%
Investment income$2K2%
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$85K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$20K
Grants paid out$56K
balance sheet
Total assets$54K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$54K
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -11.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eric Clay | Exec Director | 20 | $20K |
board members · 6
- James Grant — Board Member
- Jarra Jagne — Board Member
- John Swensson — Board Member
- Lisa Christian — Board Member
- Peaches Gillette — Board Chair
- Suzanne Scholten — Board Member
relationships · 9
Who they work with
- Cornell Dining Partner — Collaborated on kosher and halal food offerings for students.
- Cornell University Student Assembly Dining Committee Partner — Long-time member involved in efforts to improve food security and sustainability on campus.
- Food Science Department at Cornell University Partner — Worked with the department to make the on-campus dairy production plant kosher.
- Freeville Community Council Partner — Collaborates with the Freeville Community Council to discuss community self-sustainability and resident concerns.
- LDS Church Partner — Engaged with the local congregation through speaking about food security efforts.
- Lifelong Partner — Hosts the "American Ways Forward!" group at Lifelong's location.
- Rev Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Partner — Significant influence on Lisa Christian's theological and social justice perspectives.
- WRFI Partner — Collaborates on broadcasting The Made of Clay Report on WRFI community radio.
- WRFI Partner — Community radio station that broadcasts The Made of Clay Report.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Culturally and Religiously Informed Food Inclusionmethodology: food_inclusion_religious_diversityBy educating stakeholders about kosher and halal food systems as legitimate expressions of religious and cultural identity, the organization advances food inclusion because recognition of religious diversity strengthens systemic equity and fosters intergroup respect within shared food spaces.
- Reintegration Through Community Participationmethodology: reintegration_through_communityBy rebuilding social integration through creative expression, dialogue, and small-community engagement, the organization enables individuals transitioning from addiction, homelessness, or incarceration to regain belonging and agency because sustained relational inclusion restores identity and purpose.
- Relational Bridge-Building Across Differencesmethodology: relational_bridge_buildingBy fostering direct personal relationships and authentic presence between individuals across religious, racial, cultural, and class differences, Shared Journeys Inc produces deeper mutual understanding and reduces societal division because shared human connection disrupts abstract prejudice and enables empathy.
- Spiritually Grounded Wholeness Through Embodimentmethodology: mind_body_soul_integrationBy integrating body, mind, and soul through somatic and contemplative practices, the organization supports healing and self-love because embodiment allows individuals to access inner wisdom and reconnect with a sense of sacred self, aligned with Imago Dei theology.