Credit: Submitted
The Peace Center continues to celebrate its 35th anniversary with the “19th Annual Auction Autumn Gala – Speak Up For Peace” to be held Sunday, October 16 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Spring Mill Manor, 171 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland.
Highlights include a Speak Up for Peace video featuring the center’s founders and stories of transformation shared by those affected by peace center programs.
There will be savory hors d’oeuvres, drinks, live music and memorable mingling among friends. A silent and live auction will include beach vacations, weekend getaways, art, fabulous dining experiences and additional surprises.
“Participation in the event supports the center’s mission and goal to change the fundamental way we deal with conflict, violence, racism and bullying in families, schools and communities,” said Debbie Burns, associate director of The Peace Center and co-chair of the event committee.
Burns asks that people partner with The Peace Center “to give every person a bully-free place to live and grow, reduce racism and prevent violence in our communities through education and opportunities to Speak Up For Peace.”
The Peace Center kicked off its Speak Up for Peace 35th anniversary celebration with the very successful Human Peace Sign event on May 22 at Bucks County Community College. The second annual Human Peace Sign is planned for May 21, 2017.
The cost for the autumn gala in advance is $60 and $65 at the door. Your ticket includes two free drinks. Please RSVP by Friday, Oct. 7 at www.thepeacecenter.org
Another recent highlight during The Peace Center’s anniversary has been the ongoing Dialogues on Race, which are co-sponsored by Compassion Develops Communities, Inc. (CDC). CDC is a faith-based non-profit organization founded by St. Mark AME Zion Church for the purpose of creating a caring community that embraces people of all age groups and all backgrounds. CDC is now a separate non-profit organization.
The first dialogue in July was held at Newtown Friends Meeting (Quaker) after a well-attended rally against racism and the ongoing shootings of African Americans by some police. A second dialogue took place there in September.
Credit: Submitted
The next dialogue will be hosted by St. Mark AME Church located at 136 N. Congress St. in Newtown. The church dates back to the 1800s and the congregation was comprised of African Americans. Today, the congregation is multi-cultural.
Bullying Support Circles is another program offered during the school year. They take place on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at The Peace Center, 102 W. Maple Ave, Langhorne. The support circles are often the only safe place that targets of bullying have to be with other kids and experience complete acceptance. Support Circles serve late elementary and middle school students. Parents meet separately for support and strategies to help their child regain confidence and overcome the trauma of bullying.
The Peace Center also hosted programs with Arun Gandhi, grandson of India’s legendary leader Mohandas K. (Mahatma) Gandhi in Newtown and Doylestown. Gandhi, a teacher of non-violence and a journalist, is an honorary board member and consultant for The Peace Center. He has spoken at other events hosted by the center since 1995.
Founded in 1982 as a community group dedicated to creating a more peaceful and just world, The Peace Center teaches skills in conflict resolution, bullying prevention, anger management, restorative practices, meditation and diversity awareness.
For more information, contact The Peace Center at 215-750-7220 or www.thepeacecenter.org.
Editor’s Note: Petra Chesner Schlatter is a representative of The Peace Center.
