By Daily Press staff
Local youth this week will learn how to resolve conflict peacefully instead of violently.
Santa Monica Place will host the Peacemaker Corps Association workshop and graduation ceremony on Wednesday, July 9 and Thursday, July 10.
The Wednesday training will take place from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on the first level in the Macy’s wing adjacent to Anne Taylor.
“This is literally the launch of something we hope will spread globally,” said Carol Krechman, chairman of Peacemaker Corps Assocation. “This is the first roll out of the program and we felt Santa Monica was the perfect place to do it. It has always been a city that offers a great deal to its community and we felt it would be a perfect place to host an event like this where everyone can come together.”
Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom will offer introductory remarks for Thursday’s graduation ceremony at 3 p.m. in Santa Monica Place’s Center Court. The event will feature 30 teen-agers, ages 13-17, from local area schools and facilitators to be trained in conflict resolution.
The youth participants were selected based on their interest in gaining youth violence prevention skills, leadership qualities and their willingness to transfer conflict resolution skills to their peer group.
“These are young people who will finally get the chance to become activists in their own community,” Krechman said.
The two-day workshop will conclude with a graduation ceremony for participants, parents, friends and relatives. Graduates will be presented with a Peacemaker Corps certificate and medal allowing the individuals to put their newly learned skills into action.
Additional individuals interested in participating in the free Peacemaker Corps Association workshop are encouraged to contact Oscar de laTorre at the Pico Youth and Family Center at (310) 396-7101. Sponsors of the workshop and graduation include Volvo of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Pier, Pico Youth and Family Center, Kibel Green Ink and Saba Aslam Education and Welfare Trust.
Since their founding in 1999 as a joint effort between the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and Simon Youth Foundation, the non-profit Peacemaker Corps Association associated with the department of public information of the United Nations has been dedicated to empowering youth through the art of making peace.
Santa Monica Place is located at 4th Street and Colorado in downtown Santa Monica. The mall is owned and managed by Macerich Company, a fully integrated self-managed and self-administered real estate investment trust, which owns interest in 56 regional malls and 21 community centers.
Persons interested in more information regarding the Peacemaker Corps Association can contact (310) 550-7449 or http://www.peacemakercorps.org/.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 8, 2003. Read the original PDF.