About Us

History

The Peacemaker Corps concept grew out of the United Nations mission to promote peace, tolerance and conflict resolution. A collaborative effort between the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Friends of the United Nations (FOTUN) and Simon Youth Foundation (SYF) launched the preliminary Peacemaker Corps trainings in fall of 1999 with the aid of a $1MM U.S. Federal Discretionary Grant from HUD. After a successful rollout to 11 cities coast-to-coast and positive feedback obtained in follow-up interviews in the year 2000, the Peacemaker Corps training was incorporated into HUD’s ongoing budgeted programs in 2001, only to be eliminated later due to budget shortfalls.

Since its inception, Carole Sumner Krechman, President/Chair, has played an integral part in the Peacemaker Corps.  As the Chairman of the Board of FOTUN from 1995 to 2001, Mrs. Krechman collaborated with HUD and SYF to bring the Peacemaker Corps program to youth across the United States and around the world. Following the budget cut, Mrs. Krechman began down the path to reform the Peacemaker Corps and continue its mission of empowering our young with the art of making peace. In 2002 she obtained written consent from HUD to utilize the curriculum, established 501(c) 3 status with the State of California and the US Internal Revenue Service, and in 2003 helped the Peacemaker Corps Association receive the high honor of being one of 26 organizations worldwide, and one of two domestically, named a Non-Governmental Organization with the United Nations.

PROVEN SUCCESS

President William Jefferson Clinton with Peacemaker Corps Founder Carole Sumner Krechman, in 1999, announcing the funding of the PCA program     (read more here)

In late 1999, through the combined efforts of HUD, FOTUN, SYF, 12trainings were beta-tested in 11 cities coast-to-coast including Indianapolis, Seattle, Dallas and Miami. A total of 420 teens, ages 13-17 participated in the two-day training. An average of 18-30 young people of varying ethnic backgrounds were chosen by the local Public Housing Authority to participate in each of the trainings. The chosen students were selected based on their leadership qualities, demonstrated commitment to their community and their willingness to apply their newly acquired peacemaking skills in future situations.

Following the training, students were asked to evaluate the training on several levels:

• 87% of participants responded that they learned a lot about mediation and conflict resolution after taking part in the Peacemaker Corps training
• 87% gave the training an “Excellent” or “Very Good” rating when asked to rate the overall Peacemaker Corps session

76% stated that they would “definitely” like to learn more about the Peacemaker Corps.SPARTA Consulting, HUD’s national public housing security contractor, conducted follow up phone interviews in 2000. These interviews provided qualitative and quantitative data regarding the benefits of the training. In Pittsburgh, the mother of a graduate stated the program had a visible impact on her son and his friends. She said the program “changed his whole outlook” on how he relates to other youth. Youngstown, Ohio Peacemakers reported they were using their training to break-up fights in school and to avoid fighting with siblings and friends.  SPARTA Consulting also identified that following the training many graduates of the Peacemaker Corps had been empowered to join organizations that utilized their new peacemaking skills for a positive effect on their communities. Organizations included: Youth Crime Watch, Drug Free Youth in Town (DFYIT), Boys and Girls Club, City Youth Council and the Youth Crime Commission.

The Peacemaker Logo

The Peacemaker logo is based around the idea of a ven diagram.  Where two circles overlap we have a concurrence of interests, this is a fundamental part of peace negotiation…it’s the place in the middle that we share that leads us to resolution of conflict.

The shapes also play on the p and c of the words peacemaker and corps.  The circles echo the globe of the earth and a sense of wholeness that incorporates difference.