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CAFE Pre-Orientation Program

"CAFE attracts an exceptionally kind, welcoming and interesting group of people, and they broadened my world view and taught me so much every day of my experience. I am now a better person with a stronger support system because of CAFE, and I highly encourage anyone to give it a shot." - Lisa Meehan, CAFE alum

CAFE, the University Chaplaincy's Pre-Orientation Program

Coming to a new campus can be both exciting and overwhelming. The CAFE Pre-Orientation program smooths the transition to college by connecting first-year and current students who have a shared passion for understanding and creating change in ourselves and communities.

CAFE seeks incoming student participants from diverse religious, non-religious, spiritual and ethical identities. All are welcome.

Mission Statement

The mission of the CAFE Pre-Orientation Program is to welcome, gather, equip, and network the religious, spiritual, ethical, and interfaith leaders of the incoming class–leaders who are committed both to mutual inspiration and to making positive change in the world. The program involves:

  • exploration of self and others;
  • identifying strengths in religious and philosophical literacy and room to grow;
  • consciousness-raising about issues of social justice on campus and in the wider community;
  • and training on how to make a positive change through community organizing and activism.

The CAFE Pre-Orientation Program was first offered in August 2009, and was offered in summers 2010 and 2011. It resumed in August 2015.

 

You can email CAFE@Tufts.edu with any questions!

 

Student Leaders for CAFE 2023

Peri Barest, A24

Ethan Cypress, A25

Peri Barest (she/her) is a third-year student from Newton, MA studying biology and community health. She participated in CAFE her first year at Tufts and has been a Peer Leader the past two years. Peri has been involved in the Tufts Daily and the Maternal Advocacy and Research for Community Health clubs on campus. You can find Peri working at the Career Center, advocating for local public health, and eating her way through Boston. Peri is so excited to be involved with CAFE again and is looking forward to an wonderful program this summer!

 

Ethan is from Clarksburg, MD majoring in Biochemistry at Tufts. He has participated in clubs such as COFFEE, which is associated with CAFE, and the model UN club. He is looking forward to meeting the incoming students!

Photos from CAFE 2022

 

six students sitting on a picnic blanket, they are talking

8/28/22 – Medford/Somerville, MA – Sunday during Tufts CAFE pre-orientation hosted out of the Tufts Interfaith Center on August 28, 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Pfosi)

 

 

“The CAFE and interfaith community is the first one I became involved in as a first-year, and still three years later it is the group that grounds me at Tufts. I credit CAFE and those I have met through the program with helping me grow spiritually, socially, and intellectually. It has been a gift to start each year at Tufts with CAFE as a participant, peer leader, and staff member.” – Ari Navetta, A24

 

four students walking in a neighborhood, side profile

8/28/22 – Medford/Somerville, MA – Sunday during Tufts CAFE pre-orientation hosted out of the Tufts Interfaith Center on August 28, 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Pfosi)

 “CAFE transformed my college experience through providing a warming community who constantly encourages growth and reflection. Each day, you learn something new about yourself and the world around you, and you’ll relearn how you interact with/interpret everything too. Every time I come back to CAFE, I feel more fulfilled and grateful to be part of this life-changing experience :)” – Heidi Nguyen, A25

 

8/28/22 – Medford/Somerville, MA – Sunday during Tufts CAFE pre-orientation hosted out of the Tufts Interfaith Center on August 28, 2022. (Photo by Nicholas Pfosi)

 “CAFE was such a warm and welcoming space to be a part of as soon as I stepped foot on campus freshman year. I was a little nervous since I am not personally the most religious, but the CAFE community values diversity of viewpoints so much. I got to learn a lot about different faiths through my fellow CAFEers’ as well as the sites and people we met through the program while at the same time being valued for my own experiences and point of view. The friendships and mentorship I have gained in CAFE have lasted and inspired me throughout my experience at Tufts until now in junior year!” – Sam Chock, A25