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Creating Family Harmony
July 2015
 
 
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If I am in harmony with my family, that is success.

- Ute Proverb

  

 


Conflict is always going to happen within families. And every family has its problems, but in this month's newsletter we have some helpful tips that might make your family more peaceful and your life a little less stressful. 


Also, we have a special request to help one of the families in our Connect and Communicate program. This family has been through some unimaginably difficult times - including receiving threatening mail from the KKK. As a result, they were forced to move from their home and, since they have very limited resources, they need help getting a fresh start.


 
Donations of gift cards to purchase sheets, towels, and other necessities would be greatly appreciated. If you'd like to help, please mail donations to Attn: Family in Crisis, Peace Learning Center, 6040 DeLong Road, Indianapolis, IN 46254. Or, make a secure online donation to help this family by clicking here


Peace on,

volunteer 
VOLUNTEERING AT PLC
VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH 
Hannah is second from the right.


 
Peace Learning Center would like to recognize Hannah Norman as volunteer of the month!  

 

Hannah joined Peace Learning Center to help with our welcome desk as a welcoming face to all who visit PLC!  She also helps with various other projects around the office and summer youth programming.  Jay Horan, our volunteer and intern coordinator, has worked very closely with Hannah and said, "Hannah is the perfect person for our welcome desk.  She is kind, positive and always welcoming everyone with a smile!  Not only that but she has been a huge help around the office and doesn't mind jumping into projects and giving it her all.  She has been a joy to have around this summer!"

 

Thank you Hannah for everything you have done for our organization.  We are very grateful to have you on our team!

 VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Peace Learning Center is proud to participate in Indy Do Day again this year! Join our Indy Do Day project to be a Peace Mentor on October 1 from 10:30 am - 2:30 pm. Volunteers will be trained to lead a peace education lesson and will then have the opportunity to facilitate the lesson at a local elementary school. 


Register to join our project at: indydoday.givepulse.com/event/10579-Peace-Mentors


To learn about other volunteer opportunities, contact Jay Horan at [email protected] or visit peacelearningcenter.org/volunteer to complete an online volunteer application.


Children
CHILDREN AND YOUTH

TAKE A PEACE HIKE!

Taking a peace hike is one of the most anticipated activities for the hundreds of children who visit us at our home in Eagle Creek Park each summer for our Peacebuilders Camp program. For many, it's their only chance to get outside and explore nature each year. We have even heard our campers say, "Is that the ocean?" as they gaze at the reservoir. 

 

According to Richard Louv who wrote the book "Last Child in the Woods," nature deficit disorder is the psychological, physical, and cognitive costs of human alienation from nature which is especially detrimental for children in their developing years. Time spent in nature - even a walk through trees in an urban park - can have a positive impact on mental and physical health and enhance learning. Exposure to nature can improve resistance to negative stresses and depression. And the protective impact of nearby nature is strongest for the most vulnerable children - those experiencing the highest levels of stress from overwhelming life events.


 
So, we hope you'll make some time to get your children outside and encourage them to enjoy the many benefits of nature. 

 

Learn more about Peace Learning Center programs by visiting our website at peacelearningcenter.org/what-we-do/


Family
Family Programs

FAMILY IS EVERYTHING - 6 TIPS FOR LISTENING DEEPLY

 A Family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, but when you are inside, you see that each tree has its place. - Yoruba People

 

Today, right now, all families face challenges that can and do put terrific strains on 
Naeemah Jackson,
Director of Family Programs
establishing and maintaining harmony and peace. These circumstances press into, and lean on, and sometimes snap that family tie.  Challenges range from food insecurity, arguments, disrespect, sibling rivalry, inappropriate associates, joblessness, homelessness, and even violence.  One of the biggest reasons for conflict in families is miscommunication.

 

Peace Learning Center's Connect and Communicate family program works with families to improve what is good in their communication.  A multitude of topics are covered such as: Understanding the 12 Blocks to Listening; Effective Listening; Listening with Empathy, Openness and Awareness; Conflict Resolution; and Peaceful Living.

 

We all want to be heard, so here are six tips on letting someone know you are hearing them:

 

Click here to read more.

 

For more information on how you, your family, or organization can participate in PLC's Family Programs, contact: Naeemah Jackson by phone at 317-327-7144 or by email at  [email protected].


ED
TIM'S PEACE UPDATE

5 TIPS FOR PARENTS

Parents have tremendous responsibilities. Each child is born into this world with an open heart and open mind. Each moment helps shape a young person's thoughts and feelings for a lifetime.

Tim with his extended family at last year's Mustached Turtle Dash.

With four children in our household, my wife Meg and I get many chances to raise young people. Each child is different with their unique personalities. Parenting is the most rewarding and consuming part of life I've experienced.

Here are a few ideas about parenting I've picked up over the last 20 years:

Click here to read more.

This section is written by Tim Nation, Executive Director and Co-founder of Peace Learning Center.

 Growing
GROW YOURSELF

FAMILY BONDING TIME

Children learn how to behave by watching their parents interact with each other and in society. Family bonding time is an excellent way to model behaviors for your children and teaches them how to communicate with family members, friends and society.


In my house, our family bonding time is Sunday dinner followed with a game. During dinner we go "round robin" style asking questions and talking about each one. "I don't know" is not an option when we ask questions like: 

  • What was the best thing that happened this week and why?
  • What was the worst thing that happened this week and why?
  • What is something new you've learned this week?
  • What did you do to help another person this week? 

Click here to read more.

 

Written by Lisa Jones, Director of Human Resources.

support
 SUPPORT PEACE 
Make Good Changes Happen!  
Please help us thank some of our donors this past month who are helping make peace possible!

Individuals: 
  • Anonymous
  • Barnard and Teresa Batto
  • David Burr
  • John & Janie Westermeier - Monthly Sustaining Donors
  • Raymond Mitchell
  • RJ Gibson
  • Teresa Baker - PLC Board Member
Business/Organization Donations:
Faith-based Organizations:
If you'd like to join them in supporting peace education, please click here to donate now! 
 Events
UPCOMING EVENTS

 

 

PLC's 3rd Annual Mustached Turtle Dash

 

WHAT: 5k run/walk, 10k and 15k run with Zumba warm-up and family-friendly activities to benefit PLC's peace education programs! 

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 26, 8:30 am

WHERE: Peace Learning Center - Eagle Creek Park

REGISTER AT: Click here to learn more. EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS 7/27!

 

"be the change"

WHAT: Includes 30 permanent interactive exhibits designed to build empathy and compassion by showing people of all ages how small changes they make in their daily lives can make a big difference for our planet and in our world. 
WHEN: Mondays-Fridays, 9:30 am - 4 pm and by appt. on evenings and weekends
WHERE: Peace Learning Center - Eagle Creek Park
    
ArtMix - Arts for All Festival

WHAT: PLC will be leading a "Random Acts of Kindness" activity during VSA Indiana's (soon to be ArtMix) family-friendly festival to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The free festival is designed to ensure arts access for people of all ages & abilities with drumming, painting, collage, storytelling, and dance/movement. Food & door prizes included!

WHEN: Wednesday, July 22, 4-8 pm
WHERE:ArtMix/VSA Indiana
GET TICKETS AT:  http://conta.cc/1fG3KTu
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