The Climb: CARP Growth Continues Into 2024
Photos courtesy of CAPR USA
“College can be the time where you find your life’s purpose, a vision that is worth pursuing,” said CARP USA National Director, Jinil Fleischman. “CARP is striving to help students find such a dream based on our core principles of God, family, and peace, and on the vision set forth by our founders.”
CARP-USA is climbing to new heights with steady year-over-year growth, according to the latest data highlighted in its 2022-2023 annual report. Nationwide, CARP’s campus presence increased 11.3% during the past academic year, continuing an upward trend from the 2021-2022 school year.
“With each year, more and more young people are inspired by the simple motto of ‘living for the sake of others’ and finding ways to contribute in big and small ways to world peace,” Fleischman said.
The annual report showcases nationwide student involvement in CARP, counting more than 120 leaders and more than 460 members across the country — nearly double the membership over the past year. Five newly initiated chapters also bring the national total from 44 to 49 chapters, located on campuses at two and four-year institutions that are public and private.
True Parents first launched CARP in 1966 with the hope of inspiring and empowering students to lead a principled life — an enduring vision that has propelled the student organization for almost six decades. Today, CARP remains a primary vehicle of engaging more young people to revive the faith of America.
“The years of our youth are the best time to dedicate ourselves to exciting goals that make our hearts beat faster,” wrote True Mother in her memoir, Mother of Peace (2020). “Since our youth is brief, it is important to do this without delay. We don’t want to be left in regret. We need to set good goals and know who to partner with to achieve them. If we do not live vigorously and create our own path, we will end up sinking in despair.”
Through workshops, campus fairs, and other outreach activities, CARP is touching thousands of young lives. For E.L., a college student from Africa, CARP soon became a home away from home when she joined the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) chapter in December 2022.
“It was the experience of love that brought me to CARP,” E.L. shared in a recent testimony. “I had taken a year off after high school … [and] I was stuck in a purposeless, unfulfilling cycle. I wanted to do something, anything really.”
“Every night before going to sleep, I would get down on my knees on the side of my bed and pray,” she continued. “I told God I’m tired of living a life that feels like it has no purpose. Then slowly, doors started to open.”
Now concluding her third semester with CARP-DMV, E.L. said she can sometimes “see in the eyes of [her fellow students] the impact of the love that I give,” and that “I have been able to truly touch their heart. This is one of the most beautiful sights in the world to me,” she said.
The CARP report further details national and local efforts to develop more chapters, and expand and enhance education programs and activities. CARP leaders said a mix of retreats, chapter visits, and national training and team calls have all aided their progress. Through summits, conferences, and various campaigns and programming, greater campus awareness has come to topics related to CARP’s core values. Study sessions offer insights and discussion of the Divine Principle, while “CARP Talks” address common challenges students face such as self-worth and building healthy relationships. A range of service projects advance CARP’s public outreach as well.
Fleischman attributed these achievements to CARP’s historical foundation, strong leadership, and invaluable extended network. “We are incredibly grateful to the many CARP supporters and alumni who have allowed this great organization to thrive throughout its vibrant history,” he stated, anticipating more successes in the new year.
You can view the full 2022-23 national CARP report here, and support its ongoing work here.