CARP Takes America By Storm
Photo courtesy of CARP USA
CARP’s 2021-2022 annual report is now available, and the results are impressive. Nationwide, CARP’s campus presence increased by 29.4 percent in just a year — a great achievement aligned with True Mother’s goal of engaging more young people to revive the faith of America.
“As we emerged from the pandemic this year, CARP is stronger than ever,” said Jinil Fleischman, CARP national president, in the report’s featured message. “Our student leadership has grown in number and in passion for CARP’s mission. We are so grateful for the vision set forth for CARP by our founders, Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. They believed that young people must live for God and for the sake of others in order to create a peaceful world.”
New ideas and strategies have been implemented under Fleischman’s leadership, including introducing CARP and tapping new membership at campus fairs. With more chapters registered or in development on campuses — jumping from 34 to 44 — CARP’s values of faith, family, and peace are reaching more students than ever before.
“Education is necessary in order to save America and raise up second and third generations,” said True Mother during a trip to Las Vegas in April. “So with confidence, we need to show that we have the power so that people can follow heaven’s providence. One way or another, America must help the world providence by becoming a self-reliant America by increasing membership. It is our responsibility to educate and nurture the second generation so that they can contribute to the providence.”
Photo courtesy of CARP USA
The CARP report breaks down national and local efforts to establish more chapters, expand and enhance education programs and activities, and how these methods have led to membership growth. CARP now has a presence in 22 states across the country, with half of its chapters on West Coast campuses. Chapters consist of two and four-year colleges that are public and private, as well as CARP “hubs” that involve multiple chapters in a designated location, such as the Bay Area and DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia).
The report also showcases student involvement in CARP nationwide, with some 220 CARP leaders and more than 250 members. CARP leaders said powerful retreats, chapter visits, and national training and team calls have all aided the immense progress. Each CARP chapter, which hosts retreats that vary from one day to three weeks, features a Divine Principle study component. Throughout the 2021-22 academic year, there were more than 25 retreats held across the nation.
“I learned to look for God in new ways,” said one retreat participant from CARP DMV. “I see how I need to improve myself first before creating a family and practicing a loving relationship. From the trip, I feel like I know how to actually practice what I learned.”
Photo courtesy of CARP USA
Through conferences, social media, various campaigns, and more, CARP’s “campus impact events” have brought greater awareness to topics related to its core values. Programs and projects, like the launch of “The Tribe Talk” podcast series by CARP Las Vegas, have addressed common matters that students face, including self-worth and building healthy relationships. Community service projects have been instrumental to CARP’s public outreach as well, bringing its principles and vision to life.
“I wanted to gain a stronger sense of identity as national CARP, and I think I got exactly that,” said a CARP member from the East Coast, who participated in the 2022 national “Momentum” retreat held in late July. “It’s exciting to think we’re all together investing and fighting for the same goals across the country.”
CARP USA aims to have 1,200 chapters nationwide and 30,000 members by 2027. A delegation of 120 student leaders will also head to Korea by summer 2023.
You can view the full 2021-22 CARP USA report here.