Peace Committee: Bringing Buddy Benches to Schools
Peace Committee: Bringing Buddy Benches to Schools
"Spiritual practice leads to non-violence and social change. The first step to non-violence is cultivating, in daily life,
among ourselves, truthfulness, humility, tolerance, and loving kindness." Mahatma Gandhi.
among ourselves, truthfulness, humility, tolerance, and loving kindness." Mahatma Gandhi.
Calabasas Rotary has proposed co-chairing the West Valley Peace Committee. Ron Lebow is enthusiastic in supporting the club's projects and activities. In addition, both clubs would jointly apply for District funding, which would enhance our ability to conduct worthwhile projects.
The evening’s training focused on the implementation of the Rotary Four Way Test for Conflict Resolution as an Instrument of peace. Its use, implementation, application, and the structure are essential to accomplish peace. This valuable tool is available from the Rotary Action Group for Peace website. Be sure to look at the video that is prominently featured on the landing page.
Important dates: September 10, an Inter-Faith Peace Walk will take place on Ventura Boulevard, from White Oak Ave. to Reseda Blvd. from 2 to 6 p.m.; September 30 and November 4 a two-day Peace Dialogue training, where you will earn a Peace Dialogue Facilitation certificate, in Inglewood from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; October 14, Peace through Technology from Peace Fellow Manisha, at Cal State LA from 2 to 5 p.m.; and October 17, the Southern California Peace Conference in the Pasadena at the Huntington Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Important dates: September 10, an Inter-Faith Peace Walk will take place on Ventura Boulevard, from White Oak Ave. to Reseda Blvd. from 2 to 6 p.m.; September 30 and November 4 a two-day Peace Dialogue training, where you will earn a Peace Dialogue Facilitation certificate, in Inglewood from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; October 14, Peace through Technology from Peace Fellow Manisha, at Cal State LA from 2 to 5 p.m.; and October 17, the Southern California Peace Conference in the Pasadena at the Huntington Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Peace Committee is focusing on eliminating child sex trafficking in Southern California. This is a new project that was proposed at the Peace Chair meeting. Buddy benches are springing up on playgrounds in elementary and middle schools throughout southern California. The idea is to place benches on playgrounds and provide training to faculty and students on how Buddy Benches are a safe place for victims of violence to find solace, comfort, and a buddy who will support them through the difficult times.
The benches are produced by a company that uses disabled older children who are preparing to enter the job market, so it's a win-win solution. The benches cost between $200 and $300. We need to determine how many schools in would be interested in a Rotary Buddy Bench. We plan to use materials being prepared by PDG Vicky Radel to train faculty and students. For more information, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob2OsHYQ7PM