FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – On Monday night, the Fort Wayne Community Schools Board of School Trustees approved a contract to expand the Alive Community Outreach program to all five high schools in the district.
FWCS representatives say that the expansion will be paid for by funds from the recently passed well-being and safety referendum. The current Alive Peacemaker program has been in place at South Side High School for two years.
The expansion will enable Alive to place Peace Advocates at all five high schools supported by a Program Director. The FWCS representatives released the following:
Peacemaker program is built upon the six principles of nonviolence taught by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Participating students take part in the summer Peacemaker Academy, attend Peace Club at school and are mentored by a community volunteer program called the Peace Grannies and Grampies. Through these interactive experiences, students gain a deeper understanding of social justice issues and develop nonviolent ways to resolve conflict and promote peace.
“We are excited to extend the reach of the Alive Peacemakers to every high school at Fort Wayne Community Schools,” FWCS Superintendent Dr. Mark Daniel said. “Today more than ever, empowering our students to be a catalyst for positive change while fostering a culture of peace and understanding is very important.” The Alive Community Outreach was created by Angelo and Marie Mante following the tragic death of Angelo’s cousin. They later added the Peacemaker Academy to the program. Expanding the Peacemakers to all high schools at FWCS shows a commitment to cultivating a generation of Peacemakers equipped to be positive change makers at school and in the community.
“In the wake of increasing youth violence, our partnership with FWCS represents a critical step forward,” said Alive Executive Director Angelo Mante. “Intentional peacemaking has never been more essential. We are committed to building peace, one student at a time, confident that these efforts will not only transform lives but also our community at large” About 40 students from throughout the district have already graduated from the current Alive Peacemaker Academy.
Comments