September 2016
 


Volume 19, Issue 2
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STAY CONNECTED
SEPTEMBER UPDATE 

Our school year is in full gear with more than fifteen school partnerships serving thousands of students. Each day we have four or five programs going on in schools and at our Eagle Creek Park location.  Here's some "happenings" at Peace Learning Center:
 
What a privilege it was to take 21 young people to see the Indiana Fever game recently to honor their work with Peace Learning Center. Coach Stephanie White hosted our youth where they got to sit court side during practice, talk to Coach White and meet some players. Special thanks to our volunteer bus driver Albert Ellis who helped us transport youth in our bus!
 
The Indiana Earth Charter and Sustainable Indiana honored Peace Learning Center with the Indiana Green Light Award for Hoosiers and organizations that have been lighting the way for the green movement to grow. We were awarded for our work in Social Justice and our Be The Change exhibit in the garden level of our building that promotes environmental action in air, water, & wildlife habitat. Please visit the Peace Learning Center  to see our Be the Change interactive exhibit.
 
Faculty and staff from our state's IVY Tech education system are spending many days at Peace Learning Center, focusing on inclusion and diversity as well as stress and conflict management to help them work better with students and each other.
 
So excited to be starting our fifth year with the Crispus Attucks Peace Crew - a group of 40 juniors and seniors learn our curriculum and facilitate peace education lessons to 3rd thru 5th graders at local elementary schools. Serving more than a thousand youth each year, these high school students serve as great examples to younger youth and to teachers who see their former students on the way to college.
 
Do you want more peace in our community? Please support our work at Peace Learning Center!

- Tim Nation, Executive Director

Donor Spotlight
J oin us in thanking some of our donors over the past month!

Individuals:
- Barbara Townsend
- Ashley Martin
- Janie & John Westermeier
- Stacy Robinson 
- Heidi Donaldson
- Kelly Bentley 
- Jill Chappell
- Ronald & Loreta Riffel
- Barbara Oberreich
- Robert and Ann Rayhill






VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH


 
Our "Peace Mentors" are our Volunteers of the Month. Peace Mentors are committed to helping Peace Learning Center by receiving training to become facilitators for PLC field trips. Jay Horan, Director of Engagement, has worked closely with the group and said, "What a beautiful group of people! They are kind and caring. They believe in our mission and want nothing more than to have an impact on children. 

Peace Mentors, thank you for everything you have done for our organization We are very grateful to have you on our team. 
  
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 
As always, PLC volunteers are busy making a difference every day! Thanks to all of you who have helped support our mission to educate, inspire and empower people to build peaceful communities this past month.

To learn about other volunteer opportunities, contact Jay Horan or visit our website to complete an online volunteer application. 

OUR IMPACT:  STORY FROM THE FIELD
 
Peace Learning Center & the Ivy Tech New Leaders Academy
- John McShane -

PLC Community Programs recently started a new partnership with Ivy Tech Community College. We called the initiative, "The Ivy Tech New Leaders Academy." This half-day learning experience combined the values of the Butler Way with the community leadership and peace building aspects of PLC. The goal of the project was to partner with Ivy Tech and other community leaders in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a half day workshop/seminar for a select group of first or second-year students. The Ivy Tech New Leaders Academy provided learning, skill development, networking, and career planning opportunities for participants. Through help and support from PLC and Ivy Tech, the workshop was provided free of charge.
 
The target population for the workshop included Ivy Tech students from two particular groups. Each group has been identified as facing unique challenges in securing educational and career development opportunities. Workshop participants included:
  • Bowen Scholars: Students in a scholarship fund supporting African-Americans who attend or plan to attend Ivy Tech Community College. Participants must be a U.S. citizen, have completed at least 6 college-level credits at the time of application, and are residents of Marion County.
  • Nina Scholars Program: Students provided a scholarship award to assist with the student's cost of attendance at Ivy Tech Community College. The Nina Scholars Program provides financial support toward the cost of attendance for up to four years at Ivy Tech including books, fees, and a small living allowance.
Formal and final program design was completed in collaboration with Ivy Tech program manager, Cheri Bush. Program objectives included:
  • Discuss and demonstrate strategies for creating your own values based leadership philosophy. Values discussed include passion, thankfulness, humility, servanthood, accountability, and unity.
  • Write and present to others you own values based personal mission statement.
  • Affirm and implement your own professional networking strategy (Who do you need to meet to help with your plan? What do you want to learn from them?)
  • Discuss and evaluate specific community challenges for new leaders (diversity, income, crime, etc.) 
First Graduating Class of the Ivy Tech New Leaders Academy with John McShane
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
RESTORATIVE PRACTICE WORKSHOPS

What: Restorative Practices workshops are an introductory or refresher workshop to  become familiar with the basic tenets and skills associated with restorative practices. One need not attend more than one workshop. Please bring your own lunch. 

When:   Wednesday, September 28, 2016 from  10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Where: Peace Learning Center
6 040 DeLong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254

To register click here.
 
Upon registration an Eagle Creek park pass will be emailed to you.


BUILD 'N BREW 2
 
What: Join us in our second Build 'n Brew Competition. Enter your team of 1 - 4 people for a three round competition sure to test your abilities and creativity when it comes to LEGO building. Your $10 entry fee will cover one 16 oz. beer on tap at Metazoa Brewing Co., while the other half will go to Peace Learning Center to support peace education!

When:   Wednesday, October 19, 2016 from  6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Where: Metazoa Brewing
140 S.College Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202 

To register click here.


Want more? Look no further. Head over to our blog today!

From the Intern
 
Motivational Monday
 


We Need Your Help with our new project!
Peace Learning Center is completing an outdoor revitalization project to benefit the (One Indy) Schools and youth we serve. Could you donate any of the following items to help us create "calm corner" kits?  Monetary donations (click here) towards these items would be greatly appreciated as well:
  • 5-6 Hydrangea plants
  • Peat, manure, or mulch
  • Legos
  • Yoga balls
  • Bean Bag Chairs
  • Tupperware
  • Essential Oils 
  • Corn Syrup
  • Potted Plants 
If you would like to donate any of the above to help Peace Learning Center please reach out to Jay Horan at 


SPECIAL OFFER
 
This September, we are excited to partner with Indy Soft Water for a special offer to help promote peace. We invite you to join us. Help make a difference in our schools, neighborhoods, and community.

Here's how it works...
When you purchase a high efficiency water softener or RO System from Indy Soft Water during the month of September, they automatically give 1% of your purchase to the Peace Learning Center. Let them help you find the perfect system for your home. Click here.

WANT IN ON THE ACTION?