Youth PeaceMakers

Washington DC youth face a number of challenges common to youth in America's inner cities, including family poverty, a sense of lack of opportunity or belief in their own ability to succeed, and exposure to violence, drugs and gang activity. The key to success for these at-risk youth is an understanding that they can succeed academically, economically, and in their envisioned life. MCS strongly believes that such an understanding comes through personal growth; connection and belonging to their community; support and encouragement from a caring network; and a clear vision of the pathways that can lead to success, such as a renewed commitment to academic achievement and focus on attaining basic skills.

The Youth as PeaceMakers and Civic Activists for Positive Community Change (Youth PeaceMakers) program is a replicable peacemaking and civic participation initiative. It focuses on harnessing the energy, idealism, and creativity of area youth to implement viable and sustainable solutions to community problems and to create a community culture of cooperation and peace.

Youth PeaceMakers operates a school year and an intensive summer program. Key elements of the programs include:

• Leadership development
• Basic skills training
• Civic engagement training
• Strengthening communities through positive action
• Understanding pathways to academic and professional success

The Youth PeaceMakers annual intensive summer program targets 40 at-risk youth whose participation is made possible through Washington DC's Summer Youth Employment program. The summer program has been in operation since 1997.

Graduates of the Youth PeaceMakers program demonstrate remarkable personal growth, which translates into a pursuit for academic achievement and strengthening communities through positive action. Students once considered academically at-risk pursue a college path which in turn generates greater commitment to their academic achievement.