Pebbles 2006 Youth Forum

“I could have a positive impact on my community by getting my life together and being a light for others.”

With these words, a young person summarized the learning that happened at “Pebbles of Peace outweighing Boulders of Violence,” a youth forum that took place at Cardinal Stritch University on November 16, 2006.

One hundred and fifty young people came together to “inspire hope by building partnerships to eradicate violence” in the Milwaukee area.

Pebbles was sponsored by Tomorrow’s Present, the youth leadership ministry of the House of Peace, Cardinal Stritch University, and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

Five Strategies

In the morning, the participants learned five strategies that lead to communities of transformation and peace. These strategies are very well documented; they are a summary of studies done independently by researchers in three different fields: James Kouzes and Barry Posner in business, Shriley Hord in education, and Lisa Calderone in ministry.

With movie clips, talks by the House of Peace Teen Leaders, home-made drawings, and analogies to M&M candies, and opportunities to share their own stories with their small groups, the participants became very familiar with the following concepts.

#1. Shared Leadership Top and Bottom. When in a community, all members have a say in how things happen. The person “at the bottom” has a right to share their thoughts and opinions as does the person “at the top.” People with more authority listen to those who are have less authority. Everyone has a voice. Everyone has something to offer; everyone has something to learn.

#2. Diversity equals Creativity. When problem solving, when dreaming and planning, when expressing convictions as well as emotions, many different brains will bring forth greater creativity. People who think the same way will come up with the same answers. People who think differently will even come up with different questions. We are often so afraid of those who are different from us. Yet, people who are different can help us see everything in new ways.

#3. Same Goals, Same Direction. If we want a group to move in a certain direction, we need them to embrace that direction. They need ownership of that direction. We must have the same goals and be on the same page. Otherwise, there will be cross purposes and hidden agendas. A group that doesn’t know where they want to go will surely never get anyplace worthwhile.

#4. Physical and Emotional Support. People who feel cared for will stay loyal to a cause. People will go through an awful lot of inconvenience, and they will work many long hard hours, if they are nurtured and supported. Sacrifice seems worthwhile when we get what we need and we feel appreciated. We will go beyond expectations for the right reason.

#5. Walk the Talk Together. This is all about integrity. Everyone needs to expect high standards of each other, so that everyone is able to call each other to accountability. The leader must be held accountable to the same standards as everyone else in the group. When our words don’t match their actions, we are no longer trusted, because we are no longer trustworthy.

After a morning of learning, community leaders and dignitaries arrived to listen to the youth participants and hear their insights and ideas.  They shared lunch at their tables, and learned about the five strategies from the youth. Then they explained their jobs (in government, education, law enforcement, media etc), and talked about how they might partner with the youth in their efforts to create more peaceful communities, especially in the Milwaukee area.

The dignitaries & community leaders

who participated:

Education:

●  Thomas McGinnity, Executive Director Milwaukee Teacher Education Center

●  Dave Weingrod, MPS Service Learning Coordinator/Office of Wellness & Prevention

●  Dr. Dan Didomizio, Professor of Urban Ministries Program at Cardinal Stritch University

●  Gina Vang -- Hmong Friendship Association of UWM.

●  Dora Montoya,  Multicultural Center for Educational Excellence at UWM

Media:

●  Ted Perry (TV, Fox 6)

●  Danny Clayton (The Fish Radio)

Government:

●  State Senator Lena Taylor

●  Police Chief Nan Hegerty

●  Milwaukee County Supervisor Toni M. Clark

●  Milwaukee County Reserve Judge Phil Chevez

●  Marquette Baylor (representing Senator Herb Kohl)

●  Rebecca Lopez (representing Senator Russ Feingold)

●  Carl Hampton (representing Senator Russ Feingold

●  Khalif Rainey (representing Congresswoman Gwen Moore)

Organizations:

● Jamar Wills (Boys/Girls Club)

● Joseph Moriarity (Jacob’s Well Solutions)

●  Aleau, Non-Violence Training

Churches:

●  Rev. Amana Gray

●  Rev. John Celichowski Capuchin,

President of International Board of Franciscans

After the community leaders left, the youth planned events, activities and projects to address the issues of violence that had been discussed during the day. Each school, church or organization that brought young people committed to do something specifically designed by youth to promote peace.

These projects will be showcased at a public open house on April 28. The youth participants will return, and the dignitaries will be invited, as well as parents and other community leaders, to listen to what was planned, what took place, and what was learned.

A summary of these initial plans:

Pebbles of Peace is a youth leadership program that teaches skills and then empowers young people to use their skills in service to their community with the partnership of adults who can provide guidance and support.

The Table conversation was led by leadership students at Messmer High School as well as the House of Peace Teen Leaders.

The day was designed and facilitated by Ralph Stewart, of East Side Child and Youth Ministry and by Lisa Calderone, from the House of Peace.

Thank-you!!!

Pebbles of Peace was made possible by grants and donations from the following:

The Waukesha County Community Foundation,

Wauwatosa Savings Bank

The Province of Saint Joseph of the Capuchin Order

Elizabeth Ann Brinn Foundation

David C. Scott Charitable Trust

Catholic Youth Foundation USA 

(National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry)

East Side Child and Youth Ministry

Ann and Fred Luber Foundation

Cardinal Stritch University

Office of Vocation Development

Archdiocese of Milwaukee

In the words of one of our youth participants,

“One pebble of peace can make a difference

against all the boulders of violence.”