The Peace Innovators Scholarship & Mentoring Program equips young leaders with skills to tackle social justice problems that they are passionate about. For the duration of their school year, students (referred to as Peace Innovators) network with other leaders from high schools across Ontario, refining their idea until they launch an event or campaign to address their particular cause.
The year begins with a kick-off retreat that takes place in August, just prior to the beginning of the school year. The Peace Innovators spend a couple of days developing their ideas, networking, and meeting industry mentors who help them think through their project. They also learn about innovation, social justice, peacebuilding, and developing community partnerships. Peace Innovators are mentored both in their school or community, as well as through The Ripple Effect Education, the organization that facilitates the Peace Innovators program in collaboration with the Kindred Centre for Peace Advancement and Kindred Credit Union.
By January, the students are ready to “pitch” their ideas to a select group of community and industry leaders. That feedback is used to further refine the projects. With seed funding, the Peace Innovators can then begin to put their ideas into action. They have support and encouragement to take on community-building and leadership roles.
Amina Fayzieva, a Grade 12 student from Laurel Heights Secondary School in Kitchener, had a particular interest in mental health and wellness in high school students. She came up with “The Serenity Project”, an idea to address the mental health needs of the diverse student population at Laurel Heights. Amina says that the program really helped her focus her project in a way that would be much more effective. “I was a little too ambitious. However, I was able to streamline my ideas down to something that was doable.” She organized two workshops – one was a yoga class, and the other had a guest speaker who addressed mental health in students.
Laurel Boytim, the Executive Director of TREE, helped Amina connect with a past Peace Innovator to have as her guest speaker. In fact, Amina credits Peace Innovators with getting her out of her comfort zone and taking on a leadership role for the first time. Her confidence has soared since then, and she is excited to tackle university next year.
Amina also made life-long friends, including Pratham Lonial. Pratham’s project was titled “Project Radiance” and was designed to serve those living in poverty. He also agrees that the Peace Innovators program helped him take a broad idea and refine it into something more impactful. This led to hosting a health and wellness meeting with low-income senior citizens. “Spending time with these folks, chatting and getting to know them, showed them that someone cared about them and I was proud of that,” comments Pratham.
Both Amina and Pratham agree that the Peace Innovators Program was an excellent choice for them and the other members of their cohort. They have gained leadership skills and community connections, and made deep friendships. They both encourage other students to consider the program. Kindred is pleased to support the Peace Innovators Scholarship & Mentoring Program and help these young peacebuilders have an impact in their communities.