Global Action Through Engagement (GATE)

A Summer Program for High School Students, JULY 17-20, 2013

Do you want to have an impact on your community and the world?  Concerned with social justice and social change?  Have you always wondered how you can make a difference?  Ready to experience what college life is like?

Global Action Through Engagement (GATE) is the place for you.  Join high school peers in becoming youth leaders in your community.  GATE introduces global issues through interactive simulations, small group learning activities, discussions with speakers and university students, and local service learning projects.  Students will develop strong leadership skills in problem-solving and conflict-resolution. The program will also build 21^st century skills in cross-cultural communication, critical thinking, digital and media literacy, and how to be competitive in a global marketplace.

In 2013, GATE will focus on the global theme of human security with an emphasis on the impacts of conflict and violence on individuals, families and communities.  Students will also explore the way violence and insecurity relate to other global challenges, including poverty, food, health, and the environment. For more information, please contact Dina Wolf at wolfd@uwm.edu 

 

  

Teens from the Parklawn YMCA are organizing a Teen Fashion Show and Back to School Party for August 24th, 2013. Auditions for the Fashion Show in which they are looking for teen clothing designers, make up artists, and hair stylist will be June 8th, 2013 2-4p.m. and June 19th, 2013 5-7 p.m. located in the Parklawn YMCA Teen Center.For more information, contact the Parklawn YMCA.
 

  

  UW- Milwaukee, The Center of Urban Initiatives & Research, and the Medical College of Wisconsin's Violence Prevention Initiative hosted the Restorative Practices Repairing Harm and Building Communities Conference May 29th, 2013 at the Italian Community Center.

The joint collaboration focused on the practice of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice is an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of the victims and the offenders, as well as the involved community. Restorative justice involves both victim and offender and focuses on their personal needs. In addition, it provides help for the offender in order to avoid future offenses.

The opening plenary which explored the emerging trends in Restorative Justice featured Carl Stauffer, PhD. of the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University. Dr. Stauffer gave testimony of the effectiveness of the Restorative Justice model in working with post civil war populations in Africa. Dr. Stauffer also moderated a panel of local community leaders about the challenges and benefits of use of Restorative Justice in Milwaukee.


Carl Stauffer, PhD

Breakout sessions for the day explored Restorative Justice from its practice in domestic violence settings, educational settings, and community and neighborhood settings. Conference attendees were about to gain 1st hand experience in participating in a "Restorative Circle" utilized in the Restorative Justice model.

The conference gave room for the opportunity to pay tribute to a man whom is known as the "Father of Restorative Justice" in Milwaukee, the late David Lerman.

  

 









                           David Lerman

As an Assistant District Attorney, David proclaimed to then District Attorney E. Michael McCann a novel concept he'd heard about: rather than just sending criminals off to prison, why not try to repair the harm? It was the concept of Restorative Justice. Paul Dedinsky, JD, PhD, a colleague of David,gave testament to legacy David has given to the city and throughout the world with his passion for justice and the restorative process. David's wife Sharon and daughters were present and spoke words of gratitude and encouragement to all that are continuing the work of bringing healing to the community through the Restorative model.

The afternoon plenary discussion featured Arno Michaelis, author of My Life After Hate and Pardeep Kaleka, Founder of Serve2Unite.

  Arno, a former Skinhead and lead singer in a hate-medal band explored his journey from being the founding member of the largest Skinhead organization in existence, to letting go of hate and embracing diversity and respect for all.


Arno Michaelis  www.mylifeafterhate.com

Pardeep Kaleka shared the importance of forgiveness in the process of healing within one's self and community.Pardeep is the eldest son of Satwant Singh Kaleka - the president of the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, who was gunned down during the attacks of August 5th, 2012.  Pardeep grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Marquette University. Being a former Milwaukee Police Officer and a current teacher in the inner city - Pardeep is no stranger to the never ending battle against racism, bigotry, and ignorance.  He firmly believes that the lamp of knowledge and truth will outshine all the darkness in the world, and does his best to profess this through his work with Serve 2 Unite.


Pardeep Kaleka  www.serve2unite.org

Mayor Tom Barrett, along with Chief Edward Flynn, and Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele met with faith leaders to address the need to work as a community to change the climate of violence in the city through the Mayor's Ceasefire Sabbath Weekend campaign.

The annual meeting was held on Wednesday June 5th, 2013 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. With a diverse representation of faith leaders throughout the city, Mayor Barrett stressed the urgency of the faith community to emphasize the message of non violence to their congregations, and that local government and law enforcement can only do so much, but the influence that resides in the churches, synagogues and mosques is boundless.

 Chief Flynn is quoted of saying that a lot of attention is given to the mass shootings like Newtown, Aurora, and locally Oak Creek, but we need to bring attention to the "slow motion mass murders" that occur everyday throughout our country as a result of gun violence.

VPI's Community Outreach Coordinator Anthony Caples addressed the gathering from the perspective of both working in the field of violence prevention and being a member of the clergy.


Anthony Caples, M.Div.

"We have a grand opportunity to build on relationships that exist in our congregations to change to culture of violence" Caples is quoted to say on building on the strengths that presently reside within the churches.
 
Pamela Collins brought the message of purpose for the Breakfast in sharing of her story of loss in the death of her daughter Rosalind Ross in 2010, a victim of gun violence. Ms. Collins stressed the need for stronger hand gun laws to prevent future tragedies. She expressed that her faith has been a source of strength  for her in coping with her loss and encouraged the faith leaders to promote peace in the community.


 Terry Perry & Pamela Collins

Ceasefire Sabbath Weekend kicks off beginning June 7th,8th, and 9th 2013.

Journey House celebrated the opening of their new "Packers Field" football at Mitchell Park June 6th, 2013. The field will serve as the home for the Journey House Youth Football and Cheer leading League.

The field's playing surface is the former Packers' Ray Nitschke field, and was donated to Journey House by the Green Bay organization. The field will also be used by Marquette University High School lacrosse teams and freshmen and junior varsity football teams will play home games on the field as well. click here for video of the event.