Kids for Peace was founded in the spring of 2006. Jill
McManigal, a single mother of two young children, and Danielle
Gram, a high school junior, met at a neighborhood party. Jill’s
peace button intrigued Danielle and they began a discussion about
the current conditions of our world which led to discussing the
world they wanted to live in. It was quickly evident that they both
felt a calling to do their part to work proactively for peace and
compassion. Inspired by Gandhi’s famous quote, they wanted to “be
the change they wished to see in the world.” Something magical had
happened and within days, plans were made to gather a group of
neighborhood children for the first
Kids for Peace
meeting.
With emails and phone calls, the enthusiasm quickly grew and word
spread. Over 20 children attended our first meeting. The children
resonated with being part of a movement that honors their voice and
provides the space for them to learn about other cultures, make
friends around the world, create peace through art, become involved
in their government, learn about and participate in protecting the
environment, help their communities, and have fun while doing it
all. We now have grown to 32+ chapters worldwide with over 400
children participating!
Kids for Peace provides a much
needed platform for children to lead the way to peace, respect, and
positive action. Through the children’s individual actions and
collective efforts, we are creating a systemic change within our
society. We are moving from fear and violence to peace and
hope.
Some
Kids for Peace major accomplishments include, sending
over 1000 Peace Packs to the countries we learned about including
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Greece, Australia, Kenya, Nepal,
India, Panama, Jordan, Albania, Iraq, United States, and China.
Peace Packs are hand-painted knapsacks filled with school supplies,
toiletries, toys and a personal note of friendship. Each Peace Pack
is hand-delivered to the receiving children and stories and
pictures are returned to our children. It is a full-circle of
learning and giving. The chapters have also engaged in many
projects including hosting a local Congressman (in Southern
California) at a
Kids for Peace meeting asking him to
support the bill to establish a US Department of Peace; writing and
illustrating a book called, “Peace Through Our Eyes;” visiting
local congressional and senate offices to speak out proactively for
peace – we teach our children that they have a voice and it is
their right and responsibility to use it in a positive way; and
traveling to Washington DC for the Peace Alliance Conference where
Danielle Gram (teen co-founder) gave a rousing speech to 1,000
people about youth in the Peace Movement to name a few.
Kids for Peace biggest event is co-sponsoring the Annual
Walk for Peace in San Diego which always falls on the UN
International Day of Peace. 2008 will mark the third year of this
festival where families from all over Southern California join in
to celebrate peace.
In summer of 2008, the children co-wrote and recorded the
Kids
for Peace theme song produced by a Grammy award-winning
producer. Kids for Peace is currently working on recording a Kids
for Peace full-length musical CD with the children writing and
singing every song.
Kids for Peace goals include creating chapters in every community
in as many places throughout the world. Operating as a non-profit,
through funding and other fiscal beneficiary programs, Kids for
Peace strives to expand their staff and services in order to
accomplish their objectives based on a mission to cultivate every
child's innate ability to foster peace through cross-cultural
experiences and hands-on arts, service and environmental
projects.
To reach
Kids for Peace please contact their Outreach
Coordinator, Julie Gengo at
kidsforpeaceusa@gmail.com or visit
the website at
www.kidsforpeaceusa.org to learn more
about Kids for Peace programs and starting a chapter in your
area.
Kids for Peace Pledge
I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way. I pledge to help
others as I go throughout my day. I pledge to care for our earth
with my healing heart and hands. I pledge to respect people in each
and every land. I pledge to join together as we unite the big and
small. I pledge to do my part to create peace for one and all.
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