“If ever there was a time to Speak Up for Peace, it is now!” said Barbara Simmons, executive director of Langhorne Borough-based The Peace Center (TPC).
The Peace Center is diligently working to dismantle racism, homophobia, anti-Muslim sentiment, as well as other forms of discrimination and bias in our schools and community, which have surfaced since the November 8 election.
“It is going to take all of us working together to understand how we can be an ally and an up stander in addressing it when it happens in our presence, and The Peace Center can give people the tools to be most effective,” Simmons said.
Membership donations have more impact now than ever before, according to Simmons.
“The Peace Center embraces our humanity with a common purpose making peace a priority in our neighborhoods, homes and schools,” she continued. “Becoming a member today means programs addressing racism, violence, intolerance and conflict are possible.”
Up until now more than 500 hate crimes have been reported with thousands more unreported,” Simmons stressed. “We are responding by working with faith and community leaders, politicians and school districts to prevent and intervene in cases of inequality, racism, harassment and discrimination. Support from individuals is critical as we enter our 35th anniversary year.
“Members are the heart and soul of our peace and social justice efforts,” she maintained.
Gene Epstein, a resident of Bucks County since 1975, leads The Gene and Marlene Epstein Humanitarian Fund, a philanthropic organization, which has generously supported The Peace Center in the past.
Epstein, a retired new/used automobile dealer and developer of small commercial sites, said he will match donations dollar for dollar up to $2,500.
He said that he helps The Peace Center because “it is a great asset to Bucks County from early education to the full life cycle. Its efforts address current problems in the United States.
“It has even more importance currently that bigotry, racism and bullying has increased dramatically since our recent election,” Epstein explained.
“To not donate to The Peace Center,” he continued, “is to give up or not care about your community. It is not just on a day-today basis but how properly trained people can handle such situations makes that person a proponent for peace and acceptance of people no matter their race or religion.
“At a Peace Center event that my bride of 56 years and I attended, we put out a challenge and in 10 minutes that was met which helped The Peace Center get over a financial ‘hump,’” he said.
The Epsteins’ organization currently limits its endeavors to about ten organizations to which it has commitments and others are not taken.
Here are examples of how membership contribution dollars are used:
Embracing Diversity
High school students are connecting hands and hearts to understand each other while learning:
- Compassionate Listening
- Tools to dismantle racism
- Interrupting stereotypes and assumptions
- Responding to bigotry and discrimination
- Speaking up for inclusion
Gayle Evans, peace educator, leads the program.
Community Dialogues
The Peace Center began an important Dialogue on Race series in response to intolerance, violence against people of color, mass incarceration and the tone of the election. The goal has been to listen to each other, learn from one another, and find ways to heal and reconcile – to create unity, harmony and solutions in our small part of the world.
The dialogues are led by Gayle Evans and Barbara Simmons.
Girls Unlimited
Middle school girls are empowered to intervene when witnessing relational aggression and learn:
- Respect and kindness
- The value of trust
- Emotional intelligence
- Self-respect and self-care
The program is led by Karin Kasdin, founder and director of Girls Unlimited.
Respecting Me, Respecting You
Elementary schoolchildren are connected by the Web of Life while learning:
- Empathy and compassion
- A sense of community
- Problem-solving skills
- Emotional vocabulary
The program is led by Kate Whitman, director of the Bullying Prevention Resource Center, which is part of The Peace Center.
Simmons noted, “Today, more than ever, peace building is critical; marginalized students and members of our community are feeling scared and unsafe. Your donation allows us to fill an urgent need in the community for interventions and dialogues. Requests for school programs are rapidly increasing, requiring us to train more facilitators.”
“It is through the generosity of people that we can have a lasting impact,” she added. “Together, we can transform conflict and violence, whether in a school, a family or a community.”
Those who become members of The Peace Center are investing in a collective vision that thrives on the principles of respect and justice for all.
Simmons emphasized, “On behalf of the board and staff, may your holidays be filled with kindness, compassion and love!”
For more information about becoming a member or to donate, visit www.speakupforpeace.org or www.thepeacecenter.org, or call The Peace Center at 215-750-7220.
Donations can be sent to The Peace Center, 102 W. Maple Ave., Langhorne, PA 19047-2820.
