The Peace Education Program wraps up a record-breaking summer from the last several years, with services provided at thirteen sites including Evolve502. Evolve502 is a community-focused organization in Louisville, Ky. investing in and creating educational opportunities for Louisville’s youth. They provide scholarships and access to community resources to help prepare students for college, career, and successful, productive lives. Evolve502 gave Peace Education Program the opportunity to work with students of various ethnic backgrounds, during the summer, allowing Peace Education staff to work with students outside of the school and classroom setting.
Peace Education provided services to Evolve502 in the form of lessons that taught conflict resolution skills through cooperative games, and interactive activities. Over the three-week period, Peace Education was able to work at six sites and 155 students: Berrytown Recreation Center (60 students), South Louisville Community Center (30 students), 2 Not 1 Program (15 students), Catholic Enrichment Center (15 students), Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Men of Quality Mentoring Program (15 students), and La Escuelita Learning Hub (20 students). The lessons included the following: active listening, defining three conflict styles, role playing, communication, and learning how to healthily identify and communication one’s feelings. An example shared with the Peace Education trainers/educators of impact highlighted a male student able to use learned strategies in deescalating a situation that could have resulted into a serious conflict.