As we begin a new year, we like to reflect on the amazing opportunities and experiences we have had this past one. We have had two amazing Living Peace Series speakers: Her Majesty Queen Noor and Dr. Jane Goodall. We have celebrated One Day Without Shoes, our 2nd birthday, International Day of Peace, and the ongoing efforts of past Living Peace Projects. We have had amazing staff and volunteers come and go as they embark on new adventures. And we couldn’t have done it without our wonderful supporters making good happen!
We had such an amazing year in 2012 and are thrilled to see what 2013 will bring.
We love to share the good that continues to happen thanks to participants of our Living Peace Projects!
On December 4th, 2010 we hosted our Living Peace Projects (formerly known as “Working Groups”) with Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP)! The Social Action Squad of the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA) supported Mpilonhle and its efforts in making Good Happen. Here are some photos of the work that has been accomplished!
Ana Robelo, one of the Living Peace Projects participants & awesome CLP interns, had this to say about the project:
“Working with Center for Living Peace through the speakers series has served as a kind of starting point for a growing momentum of interest in community engagement and civic engagement projects where I was forced to develop into capable leader. The Center really provided support in terms of organizing and pushing me to really envision something big that could have an impact and provide something that mattered to me, like art, to youth so far away. I also began to think about community empowerment because of Mpilonhle’s efforts to give communities the tools to become informed and have agency over their health. I love that it has been a project that I have had updates from as it unfolds.”
Our thanks to Mpilonhle for sharing the updates with us! We are so thrilled to see the continuing impact of these Living Peace Projects and the Living Peace Series. Thank you to all of the participants and partners who have made this possible!
As part of the Living Peace Series with Sir Richard Branson, we hosted our Living Peace Projects (formerly known as “Working Groups”) on January 22, 2011. With each Living Peace Series speaking event, we host a day of service for youth encouraging participants to not only get involved, but continue to do good in the world.
Now, over a year after the Living Peace Projects with Virgin Unite, we are so happy to highlight the work of Erwin Wang. As a local high school student, Erwin joined us back in January 2011 and began a project to raise funds for charity. As part of the project Erwin began at the Living Peace Projects, he raised $2,000! The funds supported the Human Options scholarship program here at the Center as well as the food pantry at Families Forward.
Erwin and CLP Founder Kelly
When asked about the impact the event had on him, Erwin said:
“Since I could remember, both my mother and father spoke of the importance of generosity, and the far-reaching happiness it brings to all people. It is an aspect that has influenced me throughout my childhood and teenage years. I’ve been privileged to have been raised in such a nurturing environment – it only seems fitting to give back to the community that has given me so much. What started out as a simple idea developed into a full-fledged fundraising event. It was a wild and exciting ride from start to finish, and ultimately saw it appropriate to provide the funds to Families Forward and the Human Options program. Many are unaware of the financial and domestic issues families in Irvine must tackle daily – which is precisely why these organizations are deserving of these funds. I’d like to acknowledge my team for pulling off such a feat, along with Kelly Smith and Rebecca Hendrickson of CLP for allocating the funds.”
-Erwin Wang
Erwin is certainly an amazing example of making good happen and how a project that may seem small can make a huge impact. We wish him all the best in his college career and endeavors!
On Sunday, September 23rd we hosted two wonderful events! Our latest Living Peace Projects with Roots and Shoots was in the morning followed by our International Day of Peace celebration in the afternoon. We are so thankful for all who joined us and made so much good happen! Check out some great photos from the exciting day.
The 2011 human peace sign! We will unveil the 2012 version soon…
Young peacemaker learning about native California animals with Inside the Outdoors.
We are so thankful for the support of all who joined us on this wonderful day! Keep an eye out for more pictures to be added to a Facebook album and future blog post!
On Saturday, April 28th, Center for Living Peace hosted its fifth Living Peace Projects day! This time, we partnered with Leap of Faith at UCI, a student-led movement promoting interfaith engagement and community service based on a project from the 2011-2012 UCI Dalai Lama Scholar, Armaan Ahmed Rowther.
The day started off with CLP’s very own, Lauren Quijano, who was the Day of Service student chair welcoming the crowd.
Then UCI’s Vice Chancellor, Thomas Parham thanking the students for their commitment and passion to serve those in need.
Then Armaan said a quick hello and introduced the Queen!
After Charlize Theron and Dr. Michael Bennish of Mpilonhle spoke at the Center for Living Peace Series in 2010, students at Orange County High School of the Arts (OCHSA) were inspired to support artistic education programs in South Africa.
As a result, Mpilonhle (a non-profit organization that focuses on social development and health promotion in South Africa) recently oversaw a project where a mural was painted on a football field at Silethukukhanya High School in Africa. The art has lifted the students’ spirits and has made the walls come alive – take a look below to see for yourself!
Thank you, OCHSA Social Action Squad for inspiring us and making GOOD HAPPEN in South Africa! To find out more about this project, and how these inspiring high schoolers are changing the world, click here.
Last Thursday night, we were honored to have our first Living Peace Series event in the 2011-2012 year. Women, War & Peace is a bold new five-part PBS television series challenging the conventional wisdom that war and peace are men’s domain.
UC Irvine anthropology and film & media studies professor, Roxanne Varzi; Producer & filmmaker, Abigail Disney, and Academy Award Winner Actor & Advocate, Geena Davis, all shared the insights on the changing landscape of war. The panel was moderated by Center for Living Peace, Founder, Kelly Thornton Smith!
We started the night off right with a party, celebrating all that women have done to help bring awareness to this issue.
It was such a beautiful event, thank to our fabulous event coordinators, Upon Request, and cater, Good Gracious.
The lovely, Kelly Thornton Smith with UCI Vice Chancellor, Parham.
From L to R: PBS SoCal President, Mel Rogers; Abigail Disney, Geena Davis, Kelly Thornton Smith, Roxanne Varzi and UCI’s Chancellor Drake.
Behind the scenes at our step & repeat!
Chancellor Drake welcomes our guests.
The VIP event was such a huge success. We are so grateful for our continued partnership with UCI, and for our NEW! partnership with PBS SoCal!
After the party, we walked over to UCI to dig into the issues at hand and learn how we can help.
Chancellor Drake and Kelly Thornton Smith welcome guests.
The event was packed and the room was filled to capacity! The talk was such a huge success. The panel brought thoughtful insight to the issues surrounding women in war, and Kelly moderated the panel with ease and grace. We are so proud of Kelly for doing such a great job!
Our expert panel, along with the fabulous Kelly!
Geena Davis and Kelly!
The night went by so quickly– it was so great to have Kelly moderating and asking these women how we can inspire other to “be the change they wish to see in the world.”
Speaking of be the change…
The Saturday before the speaking event, on October 8th, we welcomed youth to talk to them about women who are affected by war, and show them what they can do to help and inspire others.
Here are some highlights from the night…
Professional Tennis player and advocate, Maja Muric, spoke on her experiences growing up in war-torn Croatia.
Pamela Donohoo, the CUSA artist-in-residence performed a breathtaking dance inspired by the women of the Congo.
The performance was improvised, but used cultural dance movements that symbolized violence, nurturing and recovery.
Next, everyone broke up into smaller groups to delve deeper into the issues facing women all around the world who are victims of war.
College students discussed the impact of prominent women who have led challenges and shaped the ideas and practices of democracies around the world.
Elementary school attendees learned how to use media tools to share their story & explore ways to connect with other students & stories through Internet media tools.
Middle & high school students came together to make personal connections with a family who has been displaced by conflict in their homeland.
At the end of the day, participants left their hand prints on the CUSA’s painting. This painting will be sent to the Congo, symbolizing our dedication and commitment to helping them.
Check out this cool video from the Living Peace Projects!
It was such a great event– and we are so grateful to have worked with PBS SoCal! Want to learn more about Women, War & Peace? We’re screening the 5 PBS documentaries on Saturdays. To see the full schedule, click here.
We want to send out a huge THANK YOU and lots of love to Apples & Oranges for filming these events for us, our fabulous photographers, Alex Abercrombie & Jason Niedle; as well as everyone who participated in the events! We couldn’t do any of it with out YOU!
