Erin Toolis

I am a 23 year old originally from the village of Lisbon, Ohio. I graduated from Denison University in2008 with a B.S. in psychology. In college, I was primarily interested in interfaith work and identity development. I moved to Seattle, Washington after graduation to join the Lutheran Volunteer Corps, where I worked in an art center for homeless youth and focused on service, intentional community, and simplicity. This experience challenged me to confront the reality of poverty and oppression in my own community. It also taught me that there is hope in positive narrative and building relationships.

My passion for interfaith work and social justice is what led me to become a Faiths Act Fellow. As an engaged Buddhist, I believe that humanity is interconnected and we are responsible for liberating one another from suffering. I am excited to be part of a movement that recognizes the strength of faith and diversity in our generation and the importance of common action against global injustice. In our training, we travelled to Mali to learn about the devastation caused by malaria and the community driven work being done to eradicate this disease. Over the next eight months, I am excited to learn more about the unique assets of Portland and to connect local faith communities into a global movement against malaria.