Langhorne, PA News From The Peace Center Vol. 38 No. 2, Summer 2018

Listen to the kids. If there is one takeaway from 2018 so far, it is this simple piece of advice, as students around the country mobilize for peace and justice, joining a global history of youth igniting change.

The Peace Center has always believed in young people as our most important change agents and peacemakers. At our annual Dr. MLK, Jr. Teen Peace and Justice Summit, more than 500 teens from across Bucks County came together to talk about issues of prejudice and discrimination as well as how they can create more inclusive communities. The stu-dents shared with us that they are eager to have more conversations and create positive change in their schools and communities.

In response, The Peace Center has created SPEAK – Students for Peace Empowered to Act with Knowledge. Through the use of critical thinking and cooperative problem-solving, 9th and 10th grade students will learn tools for promoting peace while becoming empowered citizens and leaders. This 4-day training program, to be held in July, cele-brates the wisdom and passion of our youth while giving them ways to develop leadership skills in peacebuilding, learn tools for civic engagement in their communities, develop advocacy and communication skills needed to achieve com-mon goals, collaborate to inspire acceptance in schools and communities, and engage in peer-to-peer dialogue on diver-sity, inclusion and cultural competency.

The 2018 Teen Peace and Social Justice Summit students report on solutions for racism after their Dialogue on Race.

Youth Creating Change Offer Us Hope

Local students participate in March For Our Lives in Washington, DC on March 24th.

The Peace Center presented five Youth Peacemaking Awards at our Annual Meeting on May 24th.

Four of the awardees (Cailyn Hoyt, Abby Jordan, Olivia Mitchell and Emily Pettitt) are high school students and active members of Bucks Students Demand Action. All four earned this award for their leadership in reducing gun violence.

The fifth awardee, Alana Craig, organized and promoted Doylestown’s first ever Student March for Diversity and Inclusion in October, 2017. This fourth grader received recognition for her leadership in diversity awareness. (See more photos from the Annual Meeting on pg. 3.)

Youth Peacemakers Honored at Annual Meeting

From Left to Right: Olivia Mitchell, Cailyn Hoyt, Alana Craig, Abby Jordan, and Emily Pettitt.

Board of Directors Honorary Board Members

Arun Gandhi Laura Lomax

Elizabeth Serkin

Connie Keener, President Malcolm Burgess, Vice President Catherine Sorace, Secretary Beth Ann Rinkus, Treasurer Jasmine Craig Delicia Hallman Ray Mattern Raina Mehta

Stephen Moyer Cliff Xantus Jennifer Paparsenos

Staff

Barbara Simmons Executive Director

Danny Thomas Chief of Operations

Kate Whitman Director, Bullying Prevention Resource Center

Debra Wachspress Director of Development

Gayle Evans Director of Leadership & Community Engagement

Karin Kasdin Director, Girls Unlimited

Menina Boyle Executive Assistant

John Anthony & Vera Bochnowicz Co-Directors, SAFE Counseling, Inc.

Keith Pacheco Operations Support

Dick Conrad Office Manager

Emma Dorshimer Paul Zimmerman Intern

Peace Educators Gwenn Benson Randi Davis Sandy Devine Barbara Gross Danielle Ivins-Fishman Tom Hasani Rena Jacobson Susan Jasiewicz Kyra Karsch Sallie Kingham Nancy Kleinman Lisa Litovsky Tayna Longino Henry Lyon Katie Lyons Kathy Mahan Debby Maisel Kristin McClintic Mollie Mitchell Jeanna Murat Kathia Monard-Weissman Michan Pour-Azar Marlene Pray Debra Radin Ron Ricci Deborah Romanski Dianne Ross Judith Seelig Jeanine Shire Holly Smith Marion Snipes Delphine Sowiak Teri Van Solkema-Waitz

Drs. Robin & Warren Heydenberk

Evaluators, Lehigh University

The Peace Center 102 W. Maple Ave.

Langhorne, PA 19047 215-750-7220

info@thepeacecenter.org www.thepeacecenter.org

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The Role of Youth Leadership in

Transforming our World In January, more than 500 students participated in The Peace Center’s annual

Dr. MLK, Jr. Teen Peace and Justice Summit. This event has grown each year with more and more students hearing about it and wanting to be a part of these coura-geous dialogues. They are hungry for deeper conversations to help them under-stand a world that feels out of balance. As children, many learned the Golden Rule of treating others as they would like to be treated but then they have watched mean and bullying behavior demonstrated by adults and fellow students – often without appropriate consequences - leaving them with a sense of confusion and mistrust. We are witnessing a new level of bold and overt incivility sweeping the nation, showing up in our schools, neighborhoods and workplaces.

In February, the shooting massacre at Parkland High School in Florida left many feeling traumatized, angry and helpless. Since the Columbine gun massacre in 1999, an estimated 187,000 students have been witness to and affected by gun violence in schools. Let that number sink in. And what are we doing to prevent gun violence? Too many politicians refuse to take on the powerful gun lobby, and instead are doing the bidding of gun manufacturers in exchange for millions in campaign contributions. This is unacceptable and egregious behavior, and our chil-dren have become the casualties.

Instead of the students asking ‘why?’ once again, they have begun speaking up, walking out, holding rallies, forming coali-tions, organizing vigils and marches and taking on the NRA and anyone else who stands in the way of a safe school environ-ment. Several Bucks County students met with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick shortly after the Parkland massacre to discuss his stance on gun violence.

In March, we chartered two buses to Washington, DC for the March for Our Lives rally, which was organized by youth and attended by more than a half-million people, many of them children. The scene was inspiring and left us full of hope. At our Annual Meeting we honored youth leader organizers of Bucks Stu-dents Demand Action, who have demonstrated their commitment to shining a light on gun violence by organizing a local march that drew more than 3,000 par-ticipants to Doylestown.

The Peace Center has always worked to empower students to stand up to bul-lying, racism, bigotry and intolerance. Please join us in supporting and nurturing these young people as they advocate for change. Students need our willingness to stand behind them as they follow their upstander intuition and demonstrate lead-ership! As we support them, let’s also consistently flood our elected officials with phone calls and letters demanding the following actions: universal background checks for all gun sales, child lock requirements, assault weapons ban, ten rounds magazine limit, minimum age of purchase at 21, mandatory waiting periods for all gun purchases, gun violence protection orders, and prohibition of bump stocks.

Most importantly, take the time to research where candidates stand on the issue and vote accordingly. In the end, it’s more about the ballot than the bullet.

To get involved, please email me at bsimmons@thepeacecenter.org or call us at 215-750-7220. - Barbara Simmons

From the Executive Director’s Desk

Summer 2018 The Peace Center, Langhorne, Pa. Page 2

Summer 2018 The Peace Center, Langhorne, Pa. Page 3

The Peace Center Holds Annual Meeting

The Peace Center welcomes four new members to our Board of Directors.

Back Row: Clifford Xantus*, Ray Mattern, Jasmine Craig*, Catherine Sorace (Secretary), Delicia Hallman, Jennifer

Paparsenos, and Stephen Moyer*. Front Row: Malcolm Burgess (Vice President), Beth Ann Rinkus (Treasurer), Connie Keener (President), and Raina Mehta*. (* denotes new board members)

2018 Board of Directors

The Peace Center held its Annual Meeting on May 24th and welcomed Professor Emeritus from The College of New Jersey, Dr. Daniel Crofts as our guest speaker. Author of Lincoln and the Politics of Slavery, Dr. Crofts’ speech focused on the Civil War era. Above left: Clifford Xantus, Raina Mehta, and Stephen Moyer (new board members). Above right: Karin Kasdin (Director, Girls Unlimited), Danny Thomas (Chief of Operations), Connie Keener (Board President), Barbara Sim-mons (Executive Director), and Debra Wachspress (Director of Development). Below left: Daniel Crofts (guest speaker). Below middle: Gayle Evans (Director of Leadership & Community Engagement), Beth Ann Rinkus (Board Treasurer), and Jenn Paparsenos (Board Member). Below right: Emma Dorshimer (Paul Zimmerman Intern).

On May 7th, more than 130 people gathered at Mrs. G TV & Ap-pliances in Lawrence Township, NJ to support Girls Unlimited’s fund-raiser, “Cooking for a Cause.” An appliance showroom might not come to mind for a party venue, but what better place could there be to showcase the talents of multiple chefs at one time?

Food was prepared on the premises by the talented chefs from Guru’s Indian Cuisine, The Yardley Inn, The Farm Cooking School, and Chez Alice. Delicious desserts were donated by Cramer's Baker, the Caketeria, and The Happy Mixer. Kudos to all the volunteers and the many attendees for making this fundraiser a great success!

Event Raises Funds For Girls Unlimited

We are pleased to announce that Danny Thomas was recently named Chief of Operations at The Peace Center. Danny is professionally trained in conflict management skills and is also a pastor in the Unit-ed Methodist Church serving two congregations in Salem, NJ. His primary focus is reconcilia-tion and bridge building around the issues of racial, economic, and educational disparity. The congregations he serves are becoming active change agents and community advocates. While in seminary, Danny counseled families in conflict in East Africa. He served as chaplain to the regional hospital in Jinja, Uganda, developing a partnership between caregivers and hos-pital staff to assure proper food and medical access. He has served in ministry in Trenton, NJ, and has had the opportunity to experience the Israeli-Palestinian conflict while traveling with a team from the Delaware Valley chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution. That experi-ence caused him to continually review, expand, and reshape his thoughts, techniques, and practices on peace-building. Danny holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Virginia Tech. He is trained in Inhalation Toxicology, Developmental Behavior/Ethology, as well as Pasto-ral Care/Counseling and Grief and Bereavement. He is a welcome addition to The Peace Center family!

Welcome Danny Thomas, Chief of Operations at The Peace Center

Summer 2018 The Peace Center, Langhorne, Pa. Page 4

Busiest Year Ever for School Programs

The 2017-2018 school year was one of the busiest yet at The Peace Center. Our Peace Educators from our Respecting Me, Respecting You (RMRY), Celebrating Me, Celebrating You (CMCY) and Girls Unlimited (GU) programs have worked tirelessly to help more than 5,000 students become empathetic and compassionate global citizens. After an incident in Quakertown made national headlines, The Peace Center was asked to deliver our diversity pro-gram, CMCY in every elementary school in the district. Our bullying prevention program (RMRY) was delivered district-wide in Pennsbury through a federal Safe Schools grant, and in several Catholic schools thanks to the Connelly Founda-tion. Girls Unlimited touched the lives of nearly 1,800 girls in fourteen schools! That’s 1,800 girls who have learned they are perfect just the way they are and that compassion and empathy go a long way towards enjoying a peaceful adoles-cence. The Peace Center delivered programs in 38 schools in these districts during the 2017 – 2018 school year:

Archdiocese of Philadelphia

Bristol Borough

Centennial

Neshaminy

Quakertown

Bensalem

Bristol Township

Council Rock

Pennsbury

Summer 2018 The Peace Center, Langhorne, Pa. Page 5

Your Contributions Fuel Our Work! We are very grateful to all those who contributed from December 8, 2017 through May 18, 2018.

Individuals

Jennifer & Robert Abrahamson · Carole Adamsbaum · Cathy Altman · Cory Amsler & Eileen Shapiro · Bob & Peggy Anderson · Anonymous · Bob

Applebaum · Karen Arner · Eleanor Atkinson · Drew Augenblick · Beth Ann Bailey-Rinkus & Robert Rinkus · Rebecca & Ernie Bancroft · Ursula Bancroft & Carl Rosenbaum · Barbara Batt · Mary Anne & Ray Battaglia · Peace Baxter · Liz & Andrew Beer · Gwenn Benson · Sheryl & Donald Berger · Patti

Binder · Kim Borowski · Hope Bosniak · Congregation Kol Emet · Menina & John Boyle · Amanda Brennan · Barbara Britton · Beth Brodkin · Nancy

Brosius & William Brosius · Dr. Susan Burger's Vitality Center · Andrew Burgess & Rae White · Eleanor Burgess · Malcolm & Madelaine Burgess · Chris & Mary Ann Bursk · Eleanor Campbell · Michael & Aimee Caro · Ramona Carson · Green Eye for Design · Gail Check · Pat & Joe Chelius · Robin

Cherkin · Debbie & Victor Chong · Dawn & Joe Clabbers · Rosemarie & Dewey Clark · Jim Coan · Myra & Ken Colbert · Nancy Costello · Betsy & Dan

Crofts · Richard Croll · Dee Crumbley & Steve Schnur · Michael Danchak · Lisa Darnowsky & Alan Walker · Randi & Matthew Davis · Lise Deguire & Douglas Behan · Sandy Devine · Maggie DeWitt · Shelley & Robert Dimmerman · Diane Dixon · Carl Dockhorn · Olena Roma Dockhorn · Robert

Dockhorn · Kimberly Dryzga · Mary & Joseph Dunn · Beatrice Edelman · MaryAnn Edwards · Jacquelyn Emaus · Terri Epstein · The Gene & Marlene

Epstein Humanitarian Fund · Carole & Jim Erb · Katherine Falk · Lynn Fanok · Robin Farr · Barbara Felton · Connie Fenty · Nancy & Michael Ferguson · Barbara & Arthur Fields · Nancy Fine · Joy & Marc Finkel · Marcia Fisher · Danielle Fishman & Mike Thomas · Pam & Leo Fitzpatrick · Monica & Oliver

Flint · Barbara Ford · Vivian & Michael Francesco · Jo Freehand & Jonson Miller · Linda & Michael Frolove · Shari Frolove · Bill & Dot Gaboda · Bobbie

Gallagher & Don Gallagher · Judy & Richard Gelade · Lisa Giancarli · Bob & Tess Gleim · Tony & Isabel Godwin · Mary Gonzalez · Gayle Goodman & Jim Searing · Laurie Gougher · Joe & Jolynn Grindrod · Barbara & Steve Gross · Luray Anne Gross & Paul Koehler · Michael Gross · Daisy Grubbs · Joyce

Hadley · Stephanie Hajatian · Amparo & Bill Harpel · David Hart · Wayne Heacock & Renée Noel · David & Susan Heckler · Bill & Linda Heinemann ·

Linda Hlavacek · Mary Ellen Hoffman · Jenny Hollingshead · Allison Hopman · Mike & Robin Hoy · Paul & Diane Hunter · Sheila Jacobs · Sue Jasiewicz · Mary Jo & Ralph Jerome · Cynthia Johnson · Marie Kane · Norma Kaplis · Kyra Karsch · Karin Kasdin · Shelly & Mark Kasrel · Andrea Katz · Connie

Keener · Carole Kelly-Daversa · Sandra Kelsey · Joe Kern · Chris & Cathy Kerr · Pam & Steven Kielhack · Betsey & Bob King · Kristie King · Sallie &

John Kingham · Karen Kreller · Lavinia & Suriender Kumar · Judith & Anthony Lagana · Jill Laurinaitis · Jerry & Ginny Lavanish · Diane Lebas · Philip & Marilyn Lebovitz · Janice Lehmann · Elayne Leonelli · Jeanne Leslie-Hughes · Virginia Lesso · Amy Levine & Sean Flaherty · Angelo John Lewis ·

Carolyn Lewis · Gail & Philip Lewis · Lydia & Paul Lewis · Sally Liddie · Tricia Linkenheimer · Lorraine & Peter Lins · Julio & Clara Litovsky · Lisa &

Daniel Litovsky · Rachel Litovsky · Viviana Litovsky · Polly Lodge & Dick O'Hern · Rodger Lowenthal · Karen & Christopher Lucca · Renée Lustbader · Kathy Mahan · Kevyn Malloy & Tony Panzetta · Karen & Paul Maloch · Linda Manzo · Barbara Marini · Ginny Mason · Alice Maxfield & Nelson Camp ·

Erin McDonald · Margaret McDonald · Jennifer McGonagle · Christine McKee & Tony Walsh · Anne McKernan · Geri Ann McLaughlin & John

McLaughlin · Tamara & Edward McLaughlin · Ward McMasters · Lisa Mehalick · Pat & Carl Mehalick · Estelle Meltzer · Gail Meltzer · Patricia Merkel · Lincoln & Julie Merwin · Mary Jo Michaels · James Michener & Caroyln Peters-Eckel · Kathleen Michener · Phil & Debbie Miele · Linda & John Miller ·

Karen & Francis Milles · Marin Millner · Mollie & Philip Mitchell · Willie Mitchell · Jane Mohler · Elizabeth Moore · Jessica Morton · Joanne Mosemann ·

Marty Moss-Coane & Jim Coane · Mohammed Murad & Suzan Altseimer Murad · George Nakashima Woodworker, S.A. · Barb & Kirt Niedrist · Holly & Thomas Olson · Jackie Orr · Keith Pacheco · Lee Pacheco & Murray Schechter · Jennifer & Achilles Paparsenos · Paris Parker · Henry & Julie Parry ·

Shelley & Linda Partlon · Diana & Ed Pazicky · Cindy Perl · Ronald Perl · Robin Persky · Charley & Ruth Peterson · Elizabeth & Tod Peyton · Carin Pine

· Karen Polakoff · Marlene Pray · Julie & Damian Proulx · Robin Pugh · Anne Pullis · Sheryl Punia · Phyllis Purscell · Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart · Helen Quatsoe · Deb Radin · Marylynne Raftery · Bettie Ann Rarrick · Barbara Reid · Anne Ricchini · Ron Ricci & Mariann McKee · Janette & Todd Ritter

· Natalia & Arthur Ritter · Angela Riva · Elizabeth & David Rivers · Susan Robbins · Shirley Roberts · Deb Romanski · Elyce Rosen · Beth Rosner ·

Associated Printing & Graphics · Dr. Marc & Mrs. Ruthellen Rubin · Ann & Charles Rucker · Paula & Richard Ruderman · Leslye Rush · JoAnn & James Sachs · Dave & Betsy Satterthwaite · Lisa Satterwhite & Martyn Darby · Nancy Schenkel · Susan Schurr · Melissa Scott · Liz Serkin · Marge Sexton · Brian

Shaffer · Edith Shanker · Peacock Avenue Consignment · Nancy Sheehy · Lois Shindelman · Donna & Howard Shur · Swarthmore College Peace

Collection · Barbara Simmons & Steve Nolan · Lisa Simon · Joseph & Joan Sladkus · Kathee Sladkus · Larry Smoose · Edward Snyder · Gail Soboloski · Kati & Ray Sowiak · Jonathan Sprout · Helane Staller · Lisa & Jayson Stark · Vincent Stefani · Wendy Steginsky · Marylou & Thomas Streznewski · Nan

& Bill Strong · Steve & Cindy Sussman · Linda & Lauren Tabas · Jerry & Susan Taylor · Christina Thomas · Sue Tinsman · Ernie Tkac · Karen Ann Ulmer

· Kim & Wayne Vaccaro · Harriet & Jay Vawter · Diana Vincent · Joanne Vitrano · Johanna Vogel · Debra & Dan Wachspress · Cleveland Wall · Stacey Wasserman · Jennifer Weinstein · Kristen & Dan Weinstein · Marie & Michael Weinstein · Sally Weisman · Diana Weiss · Bob & Florence Wharton ·

Grace Wheeler · Ilene White · Jacquelyn White · Linda & Peter Wiesner · Claudie & Scott Williams · Lynn Williams · Patricia Willis & Thomas Willis, Jr ·

Julia Woldorf · Jennifer & Tony Wolf · Makefield Monthly Meeting · D. Constance & Robert Wrzesniewski · Rosemary Wuenschel · Terri Wyshywaniuk · Ilene Young · Babs Zimmerman

Businesses, Organizations, Faith Communities, Donor-Advised Funds

Acting Naturally Inc. · Aqua Grill · Associated Printing & Graphics · Attadgie Chiropractic Wellness Center · Audiology Center of Yardley, LLC ·

Bryn Gweled Homesteads, Inc. · Caldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors · Caleb's American Kitchen · Chandler - Shreve Family Fund of the Community Foundation of New Jersey · Congregation Kol Emet · David J. Witchell Salon & Spa · Dr. Jeffrey A. Fine Associates, P.C. · Dr. Susan Burger's Vitality

Center · Enterprise Holdings, Inc. · George Nakashima Woodworker, S.A. · Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks, Inc. · Green Eye for Design · Grey

Nuns of the Sacred Heart · Hannah Nails II & Spa · Harlee and Associates, LLC · Harp-Weaver, LLC · JY Valley Cleaners · Karen Ann Ulmer, P.C. · Keystone Memory Group, LLC · La Stalla Restaurant · Lifestyle Fitness Solutions · Makefield Monthly Meeting · McCaffrey’s Food Markets · Medicine in

Balance, LLC · Michael's Family Restaurant & Diner · Middletown Friends Meeting · Mountain Laurel Spirits, LLC · Mrs. G TV & Appliances · Newtown

Athletic Club · Parlour Boutique Salon · Pennswood Village Residents Association · Perfectly Balanced Pilates Studio · Priorities for Her · Rainbows of

Healing · Relief Acupuncture, LLC · Rheumatic Disease Associates, Ltd · Ronald A. Cohen & Assoc., PC · Salon Privé · Shelly Law Offices, LLC ·

Simplee U · Spring Mill Country Club · St. Mary Medical Center · Star Systems · Steven Robbins Eyewear · Swarthmore College Peace Collection · The

Celtic Rose · The Gene & Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund · Traeger Grills · Tre Fratelli Italian Restaurant · UBS Financial Services · Wegmans -

Princeton · Wells Fargo Advisors - David Kron · Wrightstown Elementary School · Wrightstown Monthly Meeting · Yardley Friends Meeting

Matching Gifts

Agilent Technologies Foundation · Merck Foundation · Solebury Friends Meeting · Verizon

Note: If we inadvertently omitted or made an error in the listing or spelling of your name, please contact us at 215-750-7220 so we can correct our records.

The Peace Center is a 501(c)3 organization. The official registration and financial information of The Peace Center may be obtained from the

Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

102 W Maple Ave

Langhorne, PA 19047-2820

Save the Date !!! Sunday, October 14th, 2018

The Peace Center Auction Gala “Bidding Together For A More Peaceful Future”

Upcoming Events in Our Community

Dialogue on Gun Reform Thursday, June 14, 7 pm Doylestown Health & Wellness Center, 847 Easton Rd., Warrington, PA The dialogue, sponsored by Mom’s Demand Action, will include several panelists representing various opinions on gun laws and violence prevention. Moderated by Barbara Simmons, executive director of The Peace Center. For more information, visit www.thepeacecenter.org or call 215-750-7220.

“Making a Killing: Guns, Greed, and the NRA” Thursday, June 21, 7 pm Doylestown Borough Hall, 57 W. Court St., Doylestown This film, co-sponsored by The Peace Center and Rise Up Doylestown, features personal stories from people across the country who have been impacted by gun violence. The film exposes how the powerful gun compa-nies and the NRA are resisting responsible legislation for the sake of profit. Please note this film is graphic in nature and not for younger viewers. Discussion immediately following film. For more information, email RiseUpDoylestown@gmail.com or call The Peace Center at 215-750-7220.

African American Heritage Tour of Bucks County Saturday, July 28, 9 am - 3 pm Tour stops: Harriet Tubman Statue in Bristol, St. Mark’s AME Zion Church and Macedonia Baptist Church in Newtown, and Continental Tavern (site of Underground Railroad) in Yardley. Cost: $70 per person and includes tour and lunch at the Continental Tavern. For additional information, please contact Carol Johnson at the African American Museum of Bucks County, 215-752-1909 or email aambcmuseum@gmail.com.

Our NEW one-week summer leadership program for 9th and 10th graders is designed to prepare students with the skills necessary for making posi-tive change in their schools and in the community.

The Peace Center announces

SPEAK! Students for Peace Empowered to Act

with Knowledge

To support the SPEAK scholarship fund, please visit www.thepeacecenter.org/speak.

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

LANGHORNE, PA

PERMIT NO.161

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