Alive Community Outreach - Fort Wayne

What a week! ✌️🕊️

Week One of Peacemaker Academy is in the books, and it was a full and impactful week!

Our 60 Peacemakers spent the first few days building relationships and getting to know one another before diving into some big topics: understanding violence, exploring the different types and levels of conflict, learning the foundations of nonviolence, and studying Dr. King’s first three principles of nonviolence. Throughout the week, students were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions, sharing their experiences, and beginning to build the trust that makes authentic peacemaking possible.

One of our favorite things to watch each year is the way students begin to connect across schools and backgrounds. The bonds forming within our school groups—and across the Academy as a whole—are already evident.

This week was also special because we welcomed four adult learners from school districts across Indiana who completed our Level II Nonviolence Certification. These educators and school leaders spent the week learning alongside our students while participating in additional evening sessions focused on implementing nonviolence strategies in schools. We had one participant join us from as far as West Lafayette! We can’t wait to see how they carry this work back to their communities.

We are incredibly grateful to the many organizations and community partners who helped make Week One possible:

🖤The African/African-American Historical Society Museum for providing a guided tour for our Peacemakers.

🎨 All the Rage Fort Wayne for bringing their R.E.S.E.T. painting experience to the Academy and helping students reflect on their emotions through art.

🌱 NeighborLink Fort Wayne for partnering with us on neighborhood cleanup efforts and community encouragement projects.

🏛️ The History Center for their hospitality and generosity in welcoming our students.

And thank you to those who helped feed our Peacemakers throughout the week:

❤️ Williams Woodland Park Neighborhood
❤️ Fletcher Van Gilder LLP
❤️ Beacon Heights Church of the Brethren
❤️ First Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne
❤️ Trinity English Lutheran Church
❤️ Renee Albright for the donuts

It truly takes a village to cultivate a culture of nonviolence, and we are thankful for every person and organization who is investing in these young leaders.

Week Two, here we come. Let’s go! ✌️🕊️

We were honored to welcome our friends from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne during the first week of Peacemaker Academy. Their visit gave them a chance to see the learning, leadership, and relationship-building taking place each day as young people prepare to become peacemakers in their schools and communities. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and ongoing investment in our work through their generous grant support.

While graduation celebrations are happening all across Fort Wayne this weekend, we’re taking a moment to celebrate our senior Peacemakers. We’re proud of them not only for completing their high school journey, but for the leadership they’ve shown and the Beloved Community they’ve helped build along the way. Congratulations, y’all! We’re cheering you on as you take your next steps. ❤️✌️🕊️

Last night, we gathered for our 2026 Peacemaker Academy Orientation, and the room was full!

What encouraged us most was the great turnout from parents and families. We know that for peacemaking to truly take root, students can’t carry the vision alone. Families play a vital role in helping young people grow into the leaders our community needs.

Peacemaker Academy is more than a summer program. It's an invitation into a movement of young people committed to nonviolence, courageous leadership, and the work of building Beloved Community in our schools and throughout Fort Wayne.

On Monday, a new cohort of 60 students will begin this three-week journey together. They will learn, grow, build relationships across differences, and discover the power they have to create positive change in their schools and communities.

Thank you to every parent, guardian, Peace Advocate, and staff member who packed the room last night. We are the village ❤️

Peacemaker Academy begins Monday. Let’s gooooo! ✌️🕊️