Controlling Anger

By Mark McGuigan

July 10 -- Anger, observed Benjamin Franklin, is never without a reason but seldom a good one. Had the great man visited Santa Monica Place Wednesday afternoon, it would have warmed his heart to see his words resonate with the most cherished asset of the country he helped build -- its youth.

Behind the blackened windows of store 181 in the heart of the busiest shopping district in the city, a group of 26 youngsters between the ages of 13 through 17 took part in a workshop on conflict resolution, hoping to bring the message of peace to their local community.

The workshop -- the first of its kind in Santa Monica -- was arranged by the Peacemaker Corp Association, a non-profit organization aimed at providing children with the leadership skills necessary to promote positive alternatives to violence.

“We teach the kids how to resolve their conflicts in a non-violent way, how to deal with each other with tolerance and what diversity is all about,” explained Sheldon Krechman executive director of the organization.

The 26 children -- many of whom are at risk from violence in their own community -- were chosen from the Pico Youth and Family Center based on their interest in gaining youth violence prevention skills, their leadership qualities and their willingness to transfer conflict resolution skills to their peer group.

“Our goal is that they’ll would go out into the community and be peacemakers and teach other kids how to be peacemakers. And eventually we hope to spread this throughout the world,” said Krechman.

Founded by Carole Krechman in 1999 as part of a joint effort between the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Simon Youth Foundation, the Peacemaker Corp has trained more than 600 children in fourteen cities across the country.

Using a combination of specially designed coursework, lively discussion and interactive learning exercises, counselors teach children how to mediate difficult topics and to openly discuss problems in a non-violent way.

“It gives them a glimpse of something that they haven’t seen before,” said Krechman. “A glimpse that you can deal with problems in a way that they never thought of before. Instead of dealing with them in a violent way they can talk to somebody.

The organization also works closely with local youth programs, coordinating peacekeeping efforts and training community counselors in conflict resolution strategies that they in turn can pass on to their young charges.

“We have some kid’s who are at risk,” explained Omar Graham, a counselor working with Youth Outreach and a recent graduate of the Peacemaker Corp "Train the Trainer" program.

“What is helpful is that the kids are on the right track and are here, able to use their leadership so that they can teach other kids to get on the right path,” he said.

Following the two-day workshop that ended this afternoon, a graduation ceremony was held for all participants, parents, friends and relatives in the center court of Santa Monica Place.

Carole Krechman opened the ceremony, citing letters of support and congratulations from United States Senator Barbara Boxer, and Members of Congress Jane Harman, Carolyn Maloney, Nancy Pelosi and Mike Honda, among others.

Mayor Richard Bloom offered his congratulations to the recent graduates as did Mohammed Khan, consultant for Saba Aslam Education and Western Trust, one of the events many sponsors.

Graduates, who were presented with a Peacemaker Corps certificate and a medal, will begin to put their newly learned skills into action at the Santa Monica Pier as "Pier Mediators."

“I’m doing this to help my community and to learn how to make peace,” explained Alejandro, one of the youngest participants at the two-day workshop and a soon-to-be ‘Pier Mediator.’

“They come away with a great deal of pride,” Sheldon Krechman told The Lookout. “Some of these kids have never gotten a certificate in anything, never graduated anything.”

As the freshly minted peacemakers fan out across the community, they can take heart in the fact that their conviction to peace has gone a long way to prove another great man incorrect. Youth, it seems, is not always wasted on the young. Oscar Wilde would be proud.

For more information on The Peacemakers Corp Association please call (310) 550-7449 or visit http://www.peacemakercorps.org/. Sponsors of the workshop include Volvo of Santa Monica, the Santa Monica Pier, Pico Youth and Family Center, Kibel Green Ink and Saba Aslam Education and Welfare Trust and the Macerich Company.