|
Through community service, Student Peace Alliance chapters can put into action the type of work that embodies the values of our organization. We want to encourage all volunteers to get involved in their community by supporting pre-existing programs and organizations. You know your community better than we do! Use your own personal community networks, such as faith-based organizations, YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, to further this initiative.
Here are some suggestions of fields where students can volunteer and actively demonstrate peace through action.
Peace Education and Training
- Nonviolent communication workshops
- Conflict mediation training
- Using training to provide workshops for faculty and administrators at your school
- Using training to educate students in local school mentor programs or after school programs
Example: Student Peace Alliance members at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., were trained in nonviolence by the Institute for the Study and Practice of Nonviolence in spring 2009. This fall, the students plan to establish relationships with local elementary schools, where they will teach the skills they acquired to younger generations.
Domestic Peace Activities
- Youth and gang violence prevention programs
- Gender violence prevention
- Victim support
- Public safety programs
Example: During the National Organizing Team Retreat in the summer of 2009, volunteers met with at-risk youth involved in Barrios Unidos for a Healing Circle. Barrios Unidos is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating at risk youth by providing them with life enhancing alternatives and nonviolent training. Everyone involved recognized the importance of creating a safe space for people of all ages and backgrounds to express their grief and seek advice in proactively coping with every day struggles.
International Peace Activities
- Volunteering for refugee acclimation
- Advocacy for international conflict resolution
- Holding forums to educate the community about current peacebuilding work in international conflicts
- Training students with international peacebuilding NGOs to prepare them for spending time abroad
Example: Martin Fergus, former SPA President at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, worked with the International Rescue Committee in 2006. He developed strong continuing relationships with five Congolese men and used mediation to help transition them from conflict zone into the United States. Martin was connected with the organization through a community reference and received training that helped him to work with the refugees.
In addition, to help you form strategic coalitions and partnerships with peacemaking organizations, use the following volunteer search engines to connect with organizations to build relationships and encourage community engagement on a local level.
AmeriCorps - http://www.americorps.gov/
Idealist.org - http://www.idealist.org/if/h
VolunteerMatch.org - http://www.volunteermatch.org/
Volunteers for America - http://www.voa.org/
United Way - http://www.liveunited.org/
|
