Thursday, November 3, 2011

Girls Restorative Program: Purple Peace Zone


Denfeld Girls Group, or the Girls Restorative Program, is a partnership of Denfeld High School and Men as Peacemakers. Gina Hickson Gallagher coordinates the program.


The program is best described by a former Girls Group participant (and high school graduate):
“The program is a great way for young women to come together and have a support system, and to go outside of their boundaries and become friends with girls that they would normally not socialize with. The Girls Group includes young women from different cultural backgrounds that are attending high school.”


The atrium of Denfeld High School was emblazoned with purple this past week.  The Girls’ Restorative Program has been busy promoting a statewide campaign to spread the word about healthy relationships and prevention of domestic abuse and teen dating violence. They have had a number of activities planned for the week, including having students write down one thing that describes a healthy relationship or a way to prevent violence.  Those responses were posted on the wall in the “Purple Peace Zone.”  These young women worked hard all week and the events were a huge success.


Give to the Max Day is coming up on November 16th. Millions of dollars are raised for Minnesota non-profits each year through this event. Please support programs like the Girls Restorative program, and the rest of our important work by donating to Men as Peacemakers on November 16th.


Learn more at http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Men-As-Peacemakers


Thank you.


Thursday, August 25, 2011

2011 Bob Brenning Bike Ride for Peace


On Sunday, September 11th from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Men As Peacemakers is sponsoring a family friendly fundraising Bike Ride. The event will start in the Courtyard behind the Fitgers Brewery Complex. Bikers will pedal to the entrance of Sky Harbor Airport on Park Point and then ride back. The cost is $15 for students, $20 for adults and $40 for families. Door prizes include a new bike, a children's bike and more athletic accessories. Everyone who registers will get a t-shirt and is invited to stay in the Courtyard after the ride for free snacks. Drinks will be available.
Everyone who registers is eligible to win a free bike! The adult bike is a Cannondale CX Quick. The Kid's bike is a Trek M200- the bike is the "Girl's" version, but can be traded in at Continental Bikes for a "Boy's" version.
All riders recieve a free t-shirt! This year we will be introducing Women’s and Children’s sizes. To help us order the right sizes, please email a note to sean@menaspeacemakers.org to specify the sizes you or your family members will need!
Just click your registration level and click the Donate button to the right.

Register Online here...


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Kay Marie Sisto Memorial Walk/Run

Men as Peacemakers is a co-sponsor for this event. Please join us on Sunday, May 22.

 
 

2011 Celebration of Community Peacemakers

The objective of this celebration is to honor and take note of those whose personal actions make our community a safer and healthier place to live. We use Martin Luther King’s definition of a peacemaker: “A peacemaker is someone who has sought to teach, to transform, to make friends, to heal, to defeat injustice or to choose love instead of hate.” We want to celebrate those who may be unknown to most of us but have done something special. They have gone beyond what they have to do in service to our community and its people. Past nominees have included: a drop-center director, a youth service worker, a day care provider, a government official, a student activist, a hospital volunteer, a student who worked with a person with developmental disabilities, a men’s group coordinator, a mentor and a teacher.
The 2011 recipients of the Steve Rolland Peacemaker Award are:
Adult PeacemakerThom Storm, as Parks and Recreation Specialist at Chester Bowl for over thirty years, has made a difference in the lives of a countless number of people. Thom implemented a volunteer component to the ski program at Chester Bowl, started a ski cadet program for Duluth skiers age 11-16 to mentor younger kids, and organized such programs as Music in the Park, Mayfest, and Fallfest. It has been said by a nominator that, “Thom’s whole being is peaceful. His actions and words are always kind and loving.”
Organization PeacemakersStudents for the Future “is a grassroots group formed in 2009 by students from East, Central, and Denfeld High Schools.” These young leaders have actively pursued peace by recruiting members from each school to meet once a week and assist with the transition into the new and remodeled high schools. Inspired by a leadership program they attended in Washington, DC, Students for the Future has promoted a peaceful and positive culture at their respective schools. This group is raising funds to bring the Rachel’s Challenge non-profit to Duluth for anti-bullying planning.
Peacemaker ScholarshipCortez “CJ” Ham “has been a visible leader at his school, church, and community since he has been a youngster.” He is a member of Boys and Girls Club who tutored middle school students while in high school, is active in his church youth group at Living Faith Ministry, and is a Junior Rotarian. “CJ” is also a standout athlete on the Central High School football, basketball and track teams. A nominator said, “He makes time for everyone… People are drawn to him because of his warm and compassionate personality, and he uses his gifts to bring people together for the good of the cause.” He plans to further his education at Augustana College.
There were musical performances by Abraham Curran and Echoes of Peace Choir. Mayor Don Ness spoke and presented awards.