| FROM THE DIRECTOR
Though the school year is a few months from ending, we are already planning next school year at Peace Learning Center. Our programs reach 14 Indianapolis Public Schools and 12 other township, charter and private schools this year and we are looking for new opportunities for next year.
While these are exciting times, they are especially challenging for groups like ours. School partnerships are difficult enough, but when teachers and staff face lay-offs and cutbacks some of the first cuts come toward "extra" activities that are not as highly valued. That is why Peace Learning Center must become a critical community partner to schools - not just a nice thing.
I was heartened to hear my sister and brother-in law boast that the principal at my nephew's new school - Center for Inquiry an IPS magnet school in downtown Indy - highlighted their partnership as a Peace Learning Center Peace School explaining that their son would learn peace making skills and get to visit Eagle Creek Park as a student of the school.
We are working with schools to build a culture of respect based on healthy relationships and service to others. We believe this in turn improves academic and social outcomes for youth, teachers and parents.
Do you know an elementary, middle or high school that could use Peace Learning Center programming? We are scheduling meetings with principals, parents, and leaders to expand our opportunities to new places. Feel free to share your ideas with me by emailing me at tnation@PeaceLearningCenter.org or calling 317.919.8690. Thank you for all you do for peace in our community and world.
Tim Nation
Cofounder and Executive Director |
| PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
 The Youth Services team at Peace Learning Center is prepared to launch into an active and exciting Spring season. As PLC facilitators continue work with IPS students who are over-age and under grade level in several schools, we are also piloting special services focused on engaging parents and providing arts-enriched curriculum in Title 1 schools. Additionally, facilitators continue to build critical conflict management and gang-avoidance skills through the Community Anti-Gang Initiative programs with local elementary and high school students. Through all of these programs, Peace Learning Center teaches youth practical methods for emotional management, communication and community-building.
In exciting news, Peace Learning Center launches a new program pilot this March, Connect & Communicate, focused on preventing youth and families from becoming engaged in the juvenile justice and child protective services systems. Through Connect & Communicate, PLC staff will provide two valuable services to families. With conflict facilitation sessions, PLC will help youth and their parent or guardian work through key issues within their household. Families will also have the opportunity to build their communication skills and sense of family connection through engaging, interactive workshops. Having a strong sense of inclusion and trust within a family unit is a recognized protective factor for youth, an aspect of adolescence that reduces the likelihood of risky behaviors.
Corporate & Community Programs 
Our February Corporate & Community professional development programs included two special sessions in which all proceeds were donated to Peace Learning Center to invest in the youth of our community. On Feb 3rd, Peace Learning Center Associate Consultant, Debra Jarvis, presented "From Resistance to Buy-In: Influencing People Who Resist Change" which brought nearly $1400 in donations. On Feb 19th, Peace Learning Center board member, Patti Ayars, presented "The Art of Leading Transformational Change" which garnered nearly $2500 in donations. Thank you to both Debra, Patti and all who attended - these funds will allow PLC to serve an additional 100 students this year!
Our March professional development programs include:
"Rebuilding Trust: Creating a Culture of Candor", presented by Debra Jarvis on March 9th as a part of our Tuesdays at PLC series. The cost of the session is $5.00 and runs from 8:30a - 10:00a. For more information and to register, click here
"Lead from the Heart: Ethical Perspectives on Servant Leadership" a panel presentation focused on the ethical perspectives of servant leadership. Panelists include Richard W. Smith, Depth Educator and Peace Learning Center Associate Consultant, Dr. Kent Keith, CEO, The Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, Dr. Karen Spear, Director of the Center for Organizational Ethics at Marian University, and Marcy Ripberger, President, Character Council of Indiana. This session is FREE and will take place on Thursday, March 11from 7:30a-10:00a at Marian University, Civic Theatre. For more information and to register click here
"Bully Prevention in Schools", presented by Peace Learning Center Associate Consultant, Gina Woodward. The session is $25.00 and will take place on March 19th from 8:30a-12:00 at Purdue Extension Service, Marion County. For more information and to register, click here
 International Interfaith Initiative
Center for Interfaith Cooperation formed at Interchurch Center
International Interfaith Initiative entered into partnership with Muslim Alliance of Indiana to lease office and conference space at the Indiana Interchurch Center located at the corner of 42nd and Michigan Road. The project is being dubbed "Center for Interfaith Cooperation" (CIC) and there are plans to attract many other interfaith programs in an effort to build capacity and create synergy between and among local groups. Over twelve initiatives have expressed an interest in participating in CIC thus far and an Open House is being planned for April 20. The Interchurch Center has been a center for ecumenical work for over four decades in Central Indiana and it provides an ideal location to help strengthen the interfaith movement in our community. Look for more information about this exciting development in the coming months....
III hosts a delegation from Saudi Arabia at Brebeuf High School  III collaborated with International Center of Indianapolis to host several clerics and legal scholars from Saudi Arabia when they visited Central Indiana as part of the Department of State's "International Visitor Leadership Program". The delegation engaged in a meaningful discussion at Brebeuf High School with representatives from local interfaith groups which included members of the "Coexist Club".
 The Saudi's came to the US to learn about interfaith work and religious education in America. After the meeting with community groups the delegation sat in on a World Religions class taught at Brebeuf by Ramsay Harik. The topic for the class was Judaism and the focus was on two high holy days, Yom Kippur and Passover. At the end of the class we distributed matzo and everyone enjoyed sharing this traditional unleavened bread used to recognize food eaten by the Hebrew's when they fled Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs. Gadi Boukai, an Israeli American who participates in a local interfaith dialogue, was able to read some of the Passover prayers in Hebrew. And one of the Saudi delegates, Dr. Naif Mohammed, shared examples in Islam when Prophet Mohammed befriended members of the Jewish community in the 7th century.
The Saudi visit inspired a rich and meaningful interfaith exchange and we look forward to working with the International Center of Indianapolis to host future IVLP delegations.
If you would like more information about International Interfaith Initiative, please contact Charlie Wiles at 317.466.0114 or cwiles@peacelearningcenter.org. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS - MARCH
Tuesday March 9: "Rebuilding Trust: Creating a Culture of Candor"
Presenter: Debra Jarvis
Cost: $5.00
Time: 8:30a-10:00a
Place: Peace Learning Center - Eagle Creek Park, 6040 DeLong Road
Session Description: Rebuilding public trust and trust within organizations is essential for success, yet organizations can't be honest with the public if they are not first honest with each other. The relationship between organizational candor and performance is complex and is affected by the ability of people to have open honest conversations in the workplace, whether teams can openly challenge assumptions and if boards and trustees effectively communicate important issues to company leaders. Top leaders encourage and reward openness and candor. Attend this workshop for working examples of organizations that have built trust, mastered organizational transparency and take home tips for incorporating these practices into your own organization.
Thursday March 11: "Lead from the Heart: Ethical Perspectives on Servant Leadership"
Cost: FREE Time: 7:30a-10:00a
Breakfast and Panel Presentation
Place: Marian University
Session Description: A panel presentation focused on the ethical perspectives of servant leadership. Panelists include Richard W. Smith, Depth Educator and Peace Learning Center Associate Consultant, Dr. Kent Keith, CEO, The Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership, Dr. Karen Spear, Director of the Center for Organizational Ethics, and Marcy Ripberger, President, Character Council of Indiana.
You must register for this event. For more information, please contact Dr. Karen Spear at kspear@marian.edu or 317.955.6115. For more information and to register click here
Friday March 19: "Bully Prevention in Schools"
Presenter: Gina Woodward
Cost: $25
Time: 8:30a-12:00p
Place: Purdue Extension Service, Marion County at Intech Park
Register here
Session Description: While some have said that bullying behavior is "just part of growing up", research has taught us that this form of abuse can have long term consequences for children targeted during their school-aged years. This session will provide a clear definition of bullying, helping participants learn to distinguish between bullying and other types of aggression. Through a better understanding of what bullying is, this workshop will also provide suggestions for prevention and intervention strategies based on the research-supported Olweus Bullying Prevention Model.
This session will be held at Intech Park in partnership with Purdue Extension, Marion Co.
Intech Park is located between I-65 and I-465:
Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service at Intech Park
Marion County Office
6640 Intech Blvd., Ste. 120
Indianapolis, IN 46278-2012
Phone: 317.275.9305
For directions go to: http://www.ces.purdue.edu/Marion/directions.htm |
| IN THE COMMUNITY & MEDIA
 Peace Learning Center held its first Breakfast Fundraiser at Indianapolis Public School #302, The Center for Inquiry, on February 24. Nearly 100 people attended the early morning breakfast and heard about the positive impact PLC programs have had at the school from the perspective of the principal, Chris Collier, Indiana Teacher of the year Chris Snow, 6th grade student, Owen Royal, and parent, Nancy Royal. Not only did many new people get to learn and experience our programs, we also raised more than $4,000 and built opportunities for new partnerships.
Tim Nation in Indianapolis Business Journal, March 1-7, 2010 issue Check out Tim quoted throughout the article on page seven entitled "International Causes Fight for Slice of Philanthropy." |
| PLC SUPPORTERS
We would like to thank the Samerian Foundation for its generous support of PLC's K-12 programs with a $20,000 grant.
Center United Methodist Church
We would like to thank the Center United Methodist Church for its $500 donation.
Many thanks to the following:
The Center for Inquiry, IPS School #302 - for hosting our Feb 24 Peace Learning Center breakfast fundraiser
Cash & Carry Paper Company - for donating paper products for PLC fundraiser
Whole Foods Market, Farm Fresh Delivery, Bagel Fair, Calvin Fletcher's Coffee Company for donating food and beverages for the PLC fundraiser
The Marten House Hotel & Conference Center - donating space for Feb 19 professional development session
Patti Ayars - for donating time and speaker fees for Feb 19 fundraiser
Kay Swank-Herzog - for securing the Marten House for Feb 19 fundraiser
Debra Jarvis - for donating time and speaker fees for Feb 3 fundraiser
|
 GET INVOLVED WITH PLC
There are several ways to be a part of Peace Learning Center - - whether making a donation or volunteering. For more information, please click here
TO DONATE PLEASE CLICK HERE
Donate via designated payroll contributions through Annual Employee Campaigns
If you work for an employer that has a workforce campaign, Peace Learning Center can be designated by writing the name of our agency if it is not listed as a choice. Contact your employer's human resources department or payroll representative about making designated payroll contributions to PLC if you have questions. Peace Learning Center receives contributions given through campaigns associated with the United Way of Central Indiana and others.
Sponsorship Opportunities
| |
