2006-2007 School Year

Summary of Activities and Accomplishments

Tomorrow’s Present

is the Youth Leadership Ministry of the House of Peace.

Tomorrow’s Present is funded by grants,

corporate & private donations and the consultant work

of the director, Lisa Calderone-Stewart, Ed.D.

Pebbles of Peace Outweighing Boulders of Violence

“Pebbles” is an excellent program. Each year, we focus on some aspect of violence in the Milwaukee area.  We hold a November youth forum for over 100 youth, we talk about the issue, and then we plan projects to address the issue. Then we have an April open house to talk about what we did and what we learned. By making presentations, and doing the projects, young people learn new skills on how to handle tough situations. It makes you realize how important leadership is, and how necessary peacemaking skills are. 

In 2006-2007, the Pebbles forum and open house involved 195 youth, 71 adults; 266 total. The youth projects probably reached another thousand.

Hope Is Something You Do

“Hope Is Something You Do” is a workshop that teaches middle school youth (and their families) how to become peacemakers.  It’s presented by us, by the House of Peace Teen Leaders. We practice once a month to get ready for the two workshops we present each year. We teach peacemaking through skits, activities, role plays and stories. (Some of the skits involve a teddy bear!) This is such important work. If more children learned to be natural peacemakers, then they would grow up knowing the skills, and eventually, we would have a country full of peacemakers.

Our two workshops in January and March 2007 involved 19 high school youth, 86 middle school youth and 11 adults, a total of 116 participants.

The House of Peace Teen Leaders

The House of Peace Teen Leaders are the presenters for “Pebbles” and “Hope Is Something You Do.” We lead the activities and run the events. Before I was part of the House of Peace, I didn’t exactly know how to effectively communicate or solve problems.  Being a Teen Leader has given me the proper tools to solve issues peacefully. This has changed my life for the better.

In 2006-2007, our calendar involved 14 days (84.5 hours) of training and service for 19 Teen Leaders.   

Middle School Youth Forums

Day-long forums for youth in middle school teach leadership skills, build Catholic identity, and bring about youth-designed projects related to faith, prayer, and service. One youth participant summarized the day by saying, “I learned I can make a difference, and I’m only 13!”

In 2006, we held one forum, with 98 youth from 6 schools. In 2007, we plan to hold four forums.

Milwaukee Area Interfaith Youth Cafés

Young people from different religious traditions gather four times a year for snacks and drinks to “strengthen interfaith dialog, reduce misinformation, and promote peaceful relationships among all people.”

In 2007, 109 youth and 26 adults attended our three cafés -- a total of 135 people.

Interfaith Youth Earth Initiative

Youth from different religious traditions meet with ecology organizations twice a year, and work “year ‘round,” with this purpose: “To learn about our environment, to reflect upon our role in the Universe, to lead the way to sustainability and to serve the Planet Earth and those who dwell here.”

Our first introductory meeting this spring involved 52 interested adults.

"Lil Johnnie" Literacy Program

Based on the book, Lil Johnnie Off The Block, students use “Building Blocks for Hope,” designed to help students reflect more deeply, build their sense of hope, and improve their reading, writing, and expression skills. One student said, “This is a good method for getting people to read,

because the stories can be related to your own life. You can even put yourself into these situations and actually learn from their mistakes.”

“Lil Johnnie” was field tested with over 75 students at six schools.  Ten Milwaukee schools are expected to use “Lil Johnnie” this fall.

Other Opportunities… Tomorrow’s Present brings leadership training to churches, schools and organizations in Milwaukee and around the country, using formats that last a day, a weekend, or a few hours. Topics include Christian Practices, Family Programming, and Transformational Ministry.

In 2006, 1477 youth and adults attended additional events in Wisconsin and six other states.

Thank You!

The House of Peace has really opened my eyes. It gives me something hopeful to be involved with so I stay positive and out of trouble. They didn’t just train us to do workshops and programs. They trained us for life. I give the House of Peace two thumbs up! 

 I would like to sincerely thank you for supporting me and the rest of my peers in the House of Peace family. Your support really keeps us running. Because of your generosity and kindness, we can do so much to serve our community.

Our lives will be changed forever because of your donation to “House of Peace - YLM.”

Thank you for helping teenagers

create a more peaceful world.

Please pray for us. We will pray for you.