Annual Report 2014-2015
stories of impact
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Contents Officers’ Letter Our Organization Our Community Our Clubs Our Process
3 4 6 8 10
Achieving Impact Measuring Impact Personal Impact Community Impact Global Impact
11 12 14 18 22
Supporting Impact 29 Event Success 30 Financial Report 32 Recognizing Our Donors 33 Volunteers 34 Board of Directors 35
Photography Thank you to the many volunteers, mentors and trainers who captured and shared the photographs found in this document. Play for Peace extends special thanks to Bennett Barthelemy, Daya Lakshmi, Ben Rosensweig, Mazhar Sheriff and Zafar Sheriff.
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Officers’ Letter It is easy to identify the need for peace in the world. Both in the United States and in countries around the world, perceptions of racial, cultural and religious differences divide communities. People often fear others whom they do not understand, and that fear can lead to discrimination and hatred, as well as acts of violence and destruction. Play for Peace continues to enter communities facing conflict and tragedy, providing a positive way to perceive others. Through play, we facilitate powerful experiences of connection and joy that lead to more peaceful communities. In divided neighborhoods, we help young people become peacebuilders. In areas of conflict, we bring the joy of play that turns enemies into friends. Our Successes In FY 2014-2015, we focused our efforts on deepening and measuring our impact with our existing community, while continuing to expand into new areas of the world. Our research team designed processes that will help us measure our influence around the world. We shared stories with our members through blog posts and newsletters that reflected the positive impact of cooperative play. Our global community grew closer as Play for Peace Clubs from around the world connected through Skype exchanges. We conducted successful trainings in many locations, including India, the Middle East, Nepal, Pakistan and South Sudan. Based on our work in these regions and others, we formed Play 18 new Play for Peace Clubs around the world. We also introduced Play for Peace activities in Haiti, Sri Lanka and Russia, creating awareness of our work and the chance to grow in the future. We end this fiscal year in a stable position, poised for further growth. We are strengthening our fundraising efforts and are preparing to bring our transformative programs into new areas. We have discovered again and again that Play for Peace Clubs help communities expand their capacity to turn children and youth away from violence and toward education, compassion and peace. In the face of environmental tragedies and those caused by religious intolerance, our Clubs reach out to others with play that can help them heal from trauma. Our thriving global community now has more than 2,200 members and 45 Play for Peace Clubs operating in 19 countries. We are also supported by dedicated volunteers, bringing our number up to 25 countries. We hope you will take time to read this report and stories of our impact at the individual, community, and global levels. We continue to move toward our vision of a vibrant and diverse global learning community working to create peace throughout the world. In Laughter, Compassion and Peace,
John Guarrine Board Chair Play for Peace
Sarah Gough Executive Director Play for Peace
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Our Our Mission To bring together children, youth and organizations from communities in conflict, using cooperative play to create laughter, compassion and peace.
Our Vision To ignite learning initiatives in regions around globe, networking as one unified community that contributes to a more peaceful world.
Our Work Play for Peace is a global learning community. We train and support young leaders who inspire compassion in action and At Play for Peace, we are a friendships across divides. global learning community that trains and supports young Youth education leaderslead whopeace inspire compassion programs for children andacross organize in action and friendships community service projects in their divides. They lead peace education neighborhoods, creating programs for children andhope and positive connection where there once community service projects in their was division andcreating violence.hope and neighborhoods, positive connections where there once was division violence. Our work not onlyand inspires friendships Our work not only inspiresreligions among people of different friendships among of and cultures, it alsopeople helps heal different religions and cultures, communities and brings them it also helps divided together forheal peaceful purposes. communities and bring them together for peaceful purposes.
Our Values
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Organization Our Method Diversity and Cooperative Play When we describe the work of Play for Peace, we say that everyone is invited and everyone wins. Despite their young ages, the children who come to Practice Peace Sessions have often experienced discrimination, bullying, cultural and religious tension, and even violence. Inclusion is very important for the diverse populations where we work because it helps us create safe spaces where children can experience what they have in common. We use “cooperative� or educational play because we know that when children are free from the pressure to win or the fear of losing, their minds become open to learning, working together and seeing each other as friends. Our Play for Peace trainers and mentors often seek out marginalized groups so they can bring them the joy of play that comes from being valued just as they are. In Mumbai, our Club worked with a school for blind girls. Jean Berube, a trainer who works with the deaf, brought Practice Peace Sessions to a school for deaf children in Haiti. The Starfish Pakistan Club works with a home for orphaned girls, a school for the blind, and a center for children with special needs. At Play for Peace, we all win when barriers fall away and we experience each other in peace.
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Our
Our Locations Any community can benefit from the presence of Play for Peace. We work in suburban schools and inner cities in the United States, as well as in areas of conflict around the world, including Central America, the Middle East and Africa.
individuals and groups. We work with partner organizations, so every Play for Peace Club is run locally and adapts to the needs of each community. Our global network supports and connects our Clubs around the world.
Our mission is simple and play is a universal medium through which people can learn. We include everyone who wants to participate, and we facilitate positive experiences for
Wherever we work, we create safe environments where friendships can exist across cultural and religious divides.
Play for Peace proudly operates 45 Clubs in 19 countries. Some of these regions are wellestablished with many clubs throughout their countries. Others are just beginning to work with Play for Peace. Together they form our vibrant and diverse global learning community.
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Canada
Guatemala
Kenya
Pakistan
South Sudan
China
India
Mexico
Philippines
United States
Chile
Indonesia
Nepal
Senegal
Vietnam
El Salvador
Israel
Norway
South Africa
Community Our Members There are more than 2,200 members in the Play for Peace Global Learning Community, including partner organizations and their staff members, mentors, certified trainers, youth leaders, donors and volunteers.
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Certified Trainers
Trainers conduct skill-building workshops for youth leaders, and help introduce Play for Peace to new areas within and outside of their regions.
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Mentors
Mentors support Play for Peace programming in their community. Mentors help groups of youth facilitators create one or more Play for Peace Clubs, and they also lead Play for Peace activities themselves.
1675 Youth Leaders Teens and college-age volunteers serve as youth leaders and are trained to facilitate Practice Peace Sessions, which are cooperative gamebased peace education programs. They also coordinate community service activities with children, youth and adults.
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Global Staff
Executive Director Sarah Gough and Global Operations Manager Imroz Shah support the community along with project-specific consultants, trainers and volunteers.
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Partner Organizations
Partner Organizations help run and grow Play for Peace Clubs, often including Practice Peace Sessions as a complement to their own programming. Their staff members provide leadership development opportunities and logistical support for youth facilitators.
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Volunteers
Volunteers from around the world help Play for Peace staff write materials, plan and promote fundraising events, design the website and printed materials, communicate on social media, and help obtain news coverage.
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Donors
At all levels of giving, donors help the Global staff, Certified Trainers and Mentors support Play for Peace Clubs around the world. Financial and in-kind donations enable the staff to provide training and advice and facilitate connection between Play for Peace members for learning and development. They also fund travel to support new or growing regions.
Working together around the world, our community reached thousands of children with peace education in 2014-2015.
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Youth Leaders Model Compassion in Action Play for Peace Clubs are central to our global community, allowing us to create structure for the peace education and leadership development programs we provide. Youth leaders are central to our Play for Peace Clubs. They serve as role models, facilitating Practice Peace Sessions with young children, whom they help build positive and peaceful relationships with others. Through community service activities, they help create peace in their neighborhoods through compassionate action. Youth facilitators develop their leadership skills through training workshops and ongoing mentoring from Play for Peace Certified Trainers at our local partner organizations. Trainers and mentors also integrate Play for Peace programs into the services their organizations provide.
Practice Peace Sessions Practice Peace Sessions encourage laughter, connection and compassion among young children. This comes at a time when children are forming a sense of self, an awareness of others, and basic ideas about interactions with people they perceive as different. In Practice Peace Sessions, young leaders use educational play that fosters teamwork, inclusion, and fun. In the safe environment we create, children have the opportunity to play with peers
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Our Cl
from other cultures. They form new friendships and experience “the enemy” as someone not so different from themselves. Play becomes a powerful ingredient in building and sustaining peace. Through Practice Peace Sessions and other Club activities, children and youth leaders are also introduced to new ways of being in their communities. Play for Peace Chicago Mentor and Trainer Chaun Pridgeon began as a youth facilitator. Chaun’s Play for Peace mentors, Richard Rutschman and Robert Valle, helped him learn nonviolent ways to communicate and resolve conflict. Chaun said, “Kindness goes a long way in violent situations. That was a major lesson I learned as a facilitator.”
Community Service Activities Play for Peace Clubs often perform a variety of other activities that help children and youth develop a vision for peace both individually and in their communities. They might create artwork together, painting “peace flags” that reflect their desire and vision for peace. Youth also conduct community service activities in their neighborhoods that bring them into contact with other groups in need. Clubs also take part in positive action and reflection, as they did last year in Palencia, Guatemala. A trainer and the Play for Peace director led a group of children, youth and adults to “reclaim” the mountain in their town. For many years during the civil war, soldiers and rebel fighters hid in the mountains, and after the war, drug lords often took their place in remote areas. People still feared the mountains, so the simple act of hiking in the wilderness as a group was empowering. Supported by businesses and the local municipality, they reclaimed the beautiful space for families to enjoy by marking trails and posting signs that would help families feel safe hiking. This was an important community activity that brought people together in the name of peace.
lubs Practice Peace Sessions Who Participates in Practice Peace Sessions? Practice Peace Sessions often include children from diverse cultures and religions. We recently witnessed a striking example of this diversity at a children’s center in a ghetto located in Delhi, India. The session included a 12-year-old refugee from Afghanistan who found his way to a shelter with his mother after his father had been killed by terrorists; a Muslim girl named Reshma who ran away from home when her parents tried forcing her to marry at 13 years old; and a Hindu girl named Shilpa from “the lowest caste,” whose mother begged on the streets to help them survive. In the session, the children said they were able to let go of their stress and worries for a while, and make friends across religious and cultural differences. One child said, “No one was put down or made to feel ‘less than’ the other.”
What Kinds of Games Do We Play? Play for Peace activities are fun for everyone who participates. There are hundreds of games used in Practice Peace Sessions with groups of all sizes. Some of the games use simple or found objects, and the games transcend language barriers, since many of them can be played without words. As always, everyone is invited to play. One game involves a hula hoop, in which the group stands in a circle and holds hands. The facilitator hooks the hula hoop over his or her arm and closes the circle by joining hands with everyone. The aim of the game is to step through the hula hoop and pass it along to the person to the left or right without letting go of anyone’s hands. The hula hoop can be passed around the circle quickly or slowly. This simple exercise brings the group together and gets everyone laughing and having fun. There is no winner or loser of this simple game, and people enjoy cheering each other on. Participants learn to be part of a team and enjoy accomplishing something together.
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Our Process Each region is on the Pathway to Peace, which illustrates the steps involved in building a network of peaceful communities that learns together, shares resources, and supports the growth of other regions. As we support our members in these areas, we guide them along the Pathway to Peace. Certified trainers help us introduce Play for Peace to new regions with Practice Peace Sessions. Next, we train young leaders to conduct the sessions, and we ensure they are supported well by local partner organizations and mentors as a new Play for Peace Club is formed. As youth lead sessions in their neighborhoods, we link local Clubs together around the world, to share resources, friendship and learning. As Clubs grow locally and shared learning occurs, we strengthen our global learning community.
The Pathway to Peace Step 1 Practice Peace Sessions are led by Mentors or Trainers, creating safe environments in which people of all ages can experience the joy of play. Step 2 Youth are trained to lead Practice Peace Sessions and a new Play for Peace Club is formed to foster leaders for peace around the world. Step 3 Youth lead Practice Peace Sessions and participate in the Play for Peace Global Learning Community, promoting positive relationships among people of societies in conflict. Step 4 A diverse, self-sustaining learning community works to build a more peaceful world.
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Achieving Impact Where Play for Peace exists, peace grows. We know this statement is true because every story we hear reflects some aspect of growth in personal and community peace among those touched by Play for Peace. Growth is occurring throughout our global network. This year, we initiated an evaluation process to measure the transformation we see in communities in the United States and around the world. The stories on the following pages reflect increases in belief that peace is possible both personally and with those from different religions, cultures, castes and tribes. Through our work, individuals come to believe in the possibility of peace because they experience it in Practice Peace Sessions and in the positive changes they see in themselves and the people they know. We know that growth has occurred when people once isolated because of discrimination come together to build a youth center. We also witness growth when a community reclaims for families the beautiful spaces that were previously occupied by rebel troops or drug lords.
Our work with children, youth and organizations begins quietly. The peace we see may be more subtle than forms brought about by peace accords or international agreements, and yet the transformation occurs steadily. Every day, we see friendships forming across divides and communities coming together again. Our global network shares stories, resources and ideas among our Play for Peace Clubs, building positive connections and amplifying the difference we make around the world. We invite you to read the stories of Play for Peace’s impact during the past year at the personal, community and global levels.
“We now realize that through this work, we are not only able to reach children, but the entire community, and even the nation and international community at large.” Eric Gisairo Play for Peace South Sudan
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Measuring Impact As we work in the world, Play for Peace remains mindful of our roots in experiential education and positive psychology. We know that in using play as an educational tool, we must continue to reflect critically on our processes and methods, in an attempt to understand and evaluate our effectiveness in the communities we serve.
The Importance of Measurement During the past year, a team of researchers helped us design processes that will help measure the impact of Play for Peace in the world. The goals of our monitoring, evaluation and research project are to: 1) learn and gain a deep understanding of what is being done by Play for Peace members in each region; 2) systematically assess the impact and effectiveness of Play for Peace, both on the members themselves and on others in their communities; 3) identify and make visible achievements, gaps, challenges, difficulties and keys to success; and 4) identify concrete measures and practical steps and lessons that can improve the quality of our work going forward.
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It is very important to us that our research tools fit the Play for Peace methodology and values: Are they fun, caring, inclusive and cooperative? We tested some tools in Guatemala and India, and we received important feedback from our community. The Inquiry into Impact process will become an integral part of our programming. We aim to do more than conduct time-limited evaluations of our work, which only provide snapshots of Play for Peace at single moments in time. We intend to collect and analyze data on an ongoing basis, creating a wealth of knowledge that will support the global growth and development of Play for Peace over time. We look forward to implementing our research tools fully during the next fiscal year. Inquiry Into Impact Project Team Michael Gass, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Kinesiology at the University of New Hampshire Sarah Gough, MSW, Executive Director, Play for Peace Maurie Lung, LMHC, LMFT, Owner of Life Adventures Counseling & Consulting, LLC Dian Mitrayani, Ph.D. student, University of Wisconsin Inquiry Into Impact Project Sponsor Jim Stuart
Inquiry into Impact Project A Story from the Field: Returning to School, Experiencing Hope
responses into themes. The themes included: hope, learning, leadership, school, awareness, relationships, fun, less discrimination, knowledge, no hesitation.
When Sarah Gough visited Bihar, India, this year, she piloted our new research component while working with children and youth leaders. She asked them a simple question: “What changes have you experienced because of Play for Peace?”
Previously, their mothers said these children weren’t going to school because they worked in the fields or spent their time gambling and stealing. Through their involvement with Play for Peace and our partner organization, the Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI), they became youth who built a center with their own hands in the middle of their village, lobbying for electricity for months so they could study there at night.
Some of the answers that emerged from the two-hour discussion included: “Through Play for Peace I have enrolled 35 dropout children in school.” “All children in our village [are] now enrolled in school!”
Sarah’s simple question uncovered a powerful story. This was only the beginning of our Inquiry into Impact Project.
“Even the parents have benefited from Play for Peace and their knowledge has increased too.” “Socially excluded students from different Dalit castes do Play for Peace sessions and became closer.” As the children and youth reflected on the changes they experienced in themselves and in their community, they grouped their
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Personal Impact In a safe environment, we create joy and laughter. Practice Peace Sessions often lead to deep, personal experiences of connection, understanding, and peace. Even among our youngest participants, friendships form in play circles across cultures and religions. Perceptions shift in a positive way about the world in which they live. Children and youth develop a sense of their own abilities to learn and grow, and they contribute to building a positive community around them.
Experiencing Inclusion and Support: Chicago Leadership Camp Last Fall, youth from two Chicago Play for Peace Clubs left the city behind for a nature-filled Leadership Camp. The 13 young people were very familiar with division in their community. Crossing color or neighborhood lines on the way to school, at lunch tables, or even in class could have serious consequences. In spite of their daily experiences, the Play for Peace facilitators dedicate their time to teaching younger kids that a different reality is possible -- that peace is possible. At the camp, the youth made inspiring progress as they learned to lead Play for Peace games for younger students. Students commented on how
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they felt supported. While they were nervous, they had fun and realized they could lead activities with younger kids. The learning that occurred at a deep, personal level was striking. The students learned several important things about themselves. One thing they reported experiencing was feeling that they were cared for and appreciated just as they were. One focus in Play for Peace is helping youth understand inclusion and promoting it through activities where everyone plays and no one loses. During the Play for Peace activities, inclusion and acceptance became the norm. Several students commented during the closing that as students from each school mingled, they became one group instead of two. They had crossed a dividing line and found friends.
Chicago Leadership Camp Sponsors Center for College Access and Success Chicago Mennonite Learning Center Community Links High School Farragut High School Richard Rutschman Robert Valle
Developing Awareness, Compassion and Hope Saving Lives in Palencia, Guatemala A 16-year-old youth facilitator from Palencia, Guatemala, reflected on changes he has witnessed in children who participate in the Play for Peace Club: “During the Play for Peace program in my community I was able to observe the change in some kids that for some reasons lived in conflict. Play is the best tool to achieve peace and love in people that for different reasons are always in conflict. Through play we achieve that two children from different cultures and different religions achieve and generate trust and peaceful coexistence.”
From Office Assistant to Skilled Facilitator Rahul is a youth facilitator in India whose involvement with Play for Peace has brought many positive changes into his life. He came upon Play for Peace while delivering stationery for his employer, the Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI), during a training workshop. He was invited to join the games, and became involved with the organization as a youth leader.
to shaping them for the better. Through his involvement, he has experienced joy, respect and connection. Because of the leadership skills he demonstrates as a Play for Peace facilitator, Rahul received a promotion at work. His new responsibilities present him with many opportunities for growth. Rahul is proud that his work with Play for Peace helps him bring a sense of unity to local communities.
Empowered By Play Play for Peace Trainer Richard de los Reyes recently reflected on the impact of play in his life: “...Although play is a simple word, it carries with it profound meaning. It has had an immeasurable impact on my life. Here is why...Play allows me to be ‘Me’... Play helps me to build good relationships with others...Play empowers me to learn. “I used to think that learning was found only inside the classroom. Now I realize that learning can also be found in the playground or in any venue where play is present. Most importantly, I have learned that play is a rewarding avenue for learning life lessons...When I play, I learn through the act of doing.”
Rahul believes that Play for Peace activities help young people open up and connect more easily, in addition
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Personal Impact Our leaders for peace come from the suburbs near Chicago, IL; povertystricken Dakar, Senegal; and the Arab village of Eilaboun, Israel. They are former child participants in Practice Peace Sessions who as teens want to teach games to children. They are also teachers and former corporate trainers who want to learn a new methodology to share with children in their communities. They become intrigued with cooperative play as a tool through which they can teach teamwork and cooperation, help people discover what they have in common, and facilitate lasting friendships across religious and cultural divides. Our mentors, trainers and youth leaders are passionate people from widely diverse backgrounds, and they all emerge as leaders for peace. With continuous training and development, youth leaders build their skills and apply them in the Practice Peace Sessions they lead, and also in school, at work, and in their communities. Play for Peace mentors and trainers develop strength in their roles as they guide the youth leaders.
Becoming a Better Mentor El Hadj Beye, a Play for Peace Mentor, works for Citoyens des Rues in Dakar, Senegal. Every Wednesday evening, Saturday evening and Sunday morning, Play for
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Peace welcomes more than fifty homeless children from this organization to participate in Practice Peace Sessions. El Hadj feels that since he went through the Play for Peace training, the new games have transformed the strategy he uses to facilitate activities with the children and communities. He encourages interaction between all participants, including children, adolescents, women, men, and even the elderly who enjoy participating. Reflecting on his training experience, El Hadj said, “The Play for Peace training I received changed me into a more complete trainer, better able to mentor children and youth to bring them peace, joy and hope.”
Helping Youth Leaders Build Skills In Los Angeles, CA, Play for Peace Mentor Jessica Guendoley meets weekly with a corps of 17 Youth Facilitators at HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles). They train, learn games, practice and discuss facilitation skills, debrief on previous Practice Peace Sessions and plan for upcoming ones. Each week, in smaller groups, they cofacilitate play sessions with elementary and middle school students. In the 2014-2015 school year they led more than 60 Practice Peace Sessions for more than 400 different students. Anna, a youth leader in 9th grade, feels she is doing something good. “It’s a place where we can create a peaceful environment,” she said. “The kids don’t get to see that much.”
Cultivating Leaders for Peace Embracing Leadership
Touching Many Lives
Ajat Shatru is a Play for Peace trainer who works with the Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI) in India. He left a job in the corporate sector in 2007, and began developing his own leadership skills. A brief move to Scotland led him to work with a community organization that has a similar mission to Play for Peace. When he returned home, he became a trainer and has led Play for Peace training workshops all over India, as well as Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. During the past two years, Ajat has worked with marginalized communities – Dalit, Tribes and Muslims – through his work with CSEI. Recently, Ajat worked on two large Play for Peace programs in India, including one with a group of 700 students from 7th to 11th grades.
Joe Sardido Aperdo started a Play for Peace Club in the mountain district of Argao, Philippines. Play for Peace Trainer Anbern Rodis Guarrine introduced Joe to Play for Peace, and he believes strongly that play is an interactive medium to facilitate learning. Joe is eager to share his passion for Play for Peace. He recently planned a Grand Play Session that involved more than 100 students. Joe incorporated Play for Peace into the work of the organization he founded, the Circle of Young and Empowered Linut-od Leaders (CYELL), which focuses on community development through youth programs. Play for Peace-CYELL provides monthly workshops. The momentum and positive impact of this Play for Peace Club has also influenced a nearby mountain village to start forming a new Club.
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Community Impact Some of the most powerful stories from Play for Peace come from the changes people see in their communities as children play together, learn to trust each other, and begin to feel connection and community. Families learn from witnessing their children’s growth that peace is possible. Youth leaders are eager to apply their leadership skills to their jobs, their education, and their service to their communities. Teachers who have worked with Play for Peace find endless ways to apply our methodology in their classrooms, using play as an educational tool. We continue to see the ripple effects of positive change in communities around the world.
Addressing Gang
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Addressing Gang Violence The winner of the 2014 Michael J. Terrien Service Award, Irvin Torralba, was the first Play for Peace Trainer in the Philippines. He was passionate about bringing Play for Peace to the island city of Cebu, where he wanted to address the gang wars in the city. He helped form three Play for Peace Clubs on the southern island, two in Cebu itself and one in a city south of Cebu. In addition to helping youth develop leadership skills and facilitate games with children in the city, all three clubs are working with schools, organizations, government offices and communities to help bring their vision of a more peaceful community to life. Irvin shared his vision for a positive future for Cebu: “If youth get their needs met by belonging to a Play for Peace Club, instead of from the gangs, the youth’s energy will be used to contribute to the development of Cebu.”
Change is Possible Preventing Bullying
Witnessing Change
When Sam Tower and Sarah Storm-Tower brought Play for Peace to the First Creek School in Tacoma, WA, they hoped to help prevent bullying and gang-related activities that were prevalent in the community and at the school. Meeting weekly with a diverse group of Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Caucasian students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades, Sarah and Sam encouraged positive social interactions among the youth leaders.
When asked to reflect on the impact of play in the city of Argao, Philippines, where he is a Play for Peace Trainer, Richard de los Reyes said, “Play for Peace creates wonders here in Argao. Though we are coming from different youth organizations, more young people are now valuing ‘real’ communication. Young people started to find common ground instead of fighting over differences. Young people here in Argao are more inspired to compliment each other rather than competing. Young people are now more determined to see each other as allies, not as enemies. In concrete terms, Play for Peace was instrumental to organize our faith-based Youth Jam participated by different religious organizations and our 1st-ever Argao Youth Convention participated by [sic] 28 distinct and empowered youth organizations.”
During the First Creek Youth Summit, they played cooperative games with 50 children who were learning about bullying, social justice and human trafficking. Sarah asked the children, “How do you think these games could prevent bullying?” Without having been told about the purpose of the Play for Peace games, the children expressed what they had learned: “We could be friends!” and “We could play with everyone, not just people we know!” and “We could get along with each other!”
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Community Impact As we expand our efforts around the world, we continue to find a wide variety of circumstances in which our work can help bring healing and peace. During the past year, our Play for Peace Clubs responded to traumatic experiences caused by cultural and religious conflict, as well as environmental disasters. Our skilled and compassionate trainers, mentors and partner organizations enable Play for Peace to respond to changing circumstances within our regions. They help provide relief from stress and fear with experiences of laughter, connection and peace.
South Sudan: Tribal Conflict and War When Play for Peace trainers from India traveled to South Sudan in February 2015, organizers hoped that forming a Play for Peace Club could help children in their war-torn country. Mugabi Fred Morjan from Education Cluster and Eric Gisairo from Hold the Child! wanted to help children heal from the traumas of living through tribal conflict and the constant presence of armed rebels. Many of the children had been removed from their communities and were forced to join armies and engage in violence. With initial help from certified trainers Swati Bhatt and Agyatmitra Sunya, the two men worked both within and outside the Juba region, creating a curriculum that could be used in traveling Practice Peace Sessions. They reached out to children throughout the region, playing games in English that helped the groups transcend multiple dialects. Through the Practice Peace Sessions at local schools, teachers realized that they could use play to help the children learn easily and joyfully, rather than resorting to corporal punishment. Parents were invited to participate in the Practice Peace Sessions as well, and one mother was particularly excited. Eric said, “At the end of the day, the entire community can appreciate these presentations. This parent became a model for other parents to break down barriers and assist in the healing process.�
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Healing from Trauma Pakistan: Taliban Attack on Churches
Nepal: Earthquakes and Landslides
On March 15, 2015, the Taliban attacked two churches in the eastern city of Lahore, Pakistan, killing 14 people and injuring many others. On the day following the attack, Play for Peace Mentor and Starfish Pakistan Director Anser Javed visited the affected area, including a home for orphan girls in Abba. He met more than 30 orphaned girls who were shaken and scared after witnessing the attack nearby. Having conducted many Practice Peace Sessions in Pakistan, he knew he had a tool that could help the young girls recover from the violent tragedy.
The Play for Peace Club in Nepal became involved in the massive relief effort after two earthquakes and subsequent landslides devastated Nepali villages in April and May, 2015. The Club had been formed just a few months earlier, and trainers and partners in the region visited the relief camps to provide support in the midst of tragedy. They facilitated Practice Peace Sessions and also trained HomeNet Nepal staff to conduct games with children. The trainers visited several villages, sharing donations to help build shelters, and creating safe spaces through play where children could also talk about physical and emotional safety.
In order to help relieve their stress and fear, Anser conducted a Practice Peace Session. In his own words, “I had play[ed] few games with them to bring a smile on the gloomy faces. I noticed that this worked very well.”
One of the trainers reflected on their visit to the village of Chapagon: “Yesterday morning, the sun was shining. We went to one of the villages in which all of the houses were destroyed. We conducted a morning session with the children, playing games and, later in the day, learning about empathy. We went to the same village today, distributing food and blankets. People shared their thoughts and feelings. They said that it felt nice that we were there, and could listen to their stories.”
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Global Impact Of the 18 new Play for Peace Clubs formed this year, eight of them started in new regions. When it is time to start a new Play for Peace Club, we send our most experienced Certified Trainers to introduce local Play for Peace to local communities. They provide trainings and guidance for local partner organizations, mentors, new trainers, and youth leaders. Our trainers represent our global learning community in action.
Swati Bhatt and Agyatmitra Shunya Swati and Agyat from India traveled to Nepal, Pakistan and South Sudan this year to start new Play for Peace Clubs, in addition to their travels around India. They shared photos and stories that illustrated powerful new connections formed across borders.
Nepal In January 2015, Swati and Agyat traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal, to provide two separate two-day trainings for dozens of teachers and volunteers. The trainings led to the start of a new Club, which just a few months later used Play for Peace games to help children heal after earthquakes in the region.
Pakistan In spite of the conflict at the border between India and Pakistan, Swati and Agyat received a warm and enthusiastic welcome for their historic trip to their neighboring country. They later conducted a large Practice Peace Session with Christian and Muslim children at a children’s literature festival. This marked the first time those two communities had been brought together in that context, as tension and violence between Christians and Muslims had been reaching a critical point. The Starfish Pakistan Club grew out of their training visit, and dozens of Practice Peace Sessions later, the Club is thriving.
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Bringing Play for Peace to New Regions South Sudan Swati and Agyat also spent 20 days in South Sudan sharing Play for Peace with more than 500 teachers, community members, students and children. The participants represented six national organizations and three international organizations in Yei, Juba and Awerial. South Sudan welcomed Play for Peace as a way to help local children heal from the trauma of war. In a report on their training tour of the country, Swati and Agyat noted: “The consciousness about peace is very high. They speak of peace, and the need for ending the violence, often. After the first session, when we got them in small groups to discuss what the Play for Peace experience was like, it was our turn to be surprised. We started learning how deeply the conflict has affected them and how much they yearn for things to change and for peace to come to their home. During the Play for Peace activities they found glimpses of hope and peace. Some of [them] also talked about how the games will provide psycho-social care for the children affected by conflict. The children who joined us were initially resistant, but soon began to trust us and looked to us as role-models.
“There was a special Play for Peace moment when we played ‘Rat & Cat.’ A young girl who had lost her one leg decided to join and at first there were some reservations among participants. We made a rule that when it is her turn to ‘cat or rat,’ [the] people chasing or escaping have to run with one leg only. The group happily agreed and the girl was able to actively participate. In last two minutes we played the entire game using one leg. It was inspiring to see the same girl take copious notes of our activities throughout the day. She wanted to make note of anything that was written by us. So much spirit to learn! “In a very insightful comment one of [the] participants said, ‘If children play this game, they will be happy and at peace. When children are educated and doing Play for Peace, even if there is a fight in the community or in their family, they will be able to help everyone to be at peace.’ He added, ‘It can also help peace talks. If warring parties see this, they will see peace and they will try and arrive at consensus so that there can be peace.’”
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Global Impact Sarah Gough and Andrés Armas
Norway
India
Play for Peace was invited to participate in a celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Norwegian constitution, where 180 youth from five countries gathered in Moss, Norway. Sarah and Andrés were invited to lead Play for Peace workshops. Sarah was selected to facilitate a Global Dignity Day session for 25 youth from Iceland with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, who co-founded Global Dignity Day.
In Spring 2015, Sarah Gough and Guatemalan Trainer Andrés Armas achieved several goals for their travels in India. The two led training workshops, conducted pilot research, made site visits and participated in learning exchanges between two of the longest-running Play for Peace programs internationally. The month-long visit began in Delhi with partner organization CSEI, which works with some of the most marginalized children and youth in the country. Play for Peace joined their advocacy for zero discrimination in education as part of the global Up for School program. Hundreds of children and youth came together in play and solidarity to call for accessible education for all. In Bihar, they conducted research for Play for Peace and visited the youth center built by young leaders of the Play for Peace Club. In Hyderabad, Sarah and Andrés conducted more research with several thriving Play for Peace Clubs, and they also visited partner organization schools. There was a special reunion among the adults from India and Guatemala who grew up with Play for Peace and remained connected to the community for more than 15 years. Their final training workshops in Bangalore and Pune helped spark new partnerships and Play for Peace Clubs.
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Bringing Play for Peace to New Regions Craig Dobkin and Sarah Gough Middle East Play for Peace co-founder Craig Dobkin and Sarah Gough completed a 10-day training tour in Israel and Palestine in September, 2014, supporting and training youth and adults from conflict resolution projects. They worked with the local Play for Peace committee, who created several opportunities for Craig and Sarah to work with Jewish, Muslim, and Christian participants.
Craig and Sarah were able to work with groups throughout the region, including: a community group in Eilaboun, the Bedouin Girls Warm House Project in Bo’eni-Nujidat, the Palestinian Center for Conflict Resolution in Jericho, a network of facilitators, trainers and project coordinators in Nazareth, and camp counselors at a youth center in Haifa. Several Play for Peace Clubs will grow out of this Middle East tour.
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Global Impact While our Play for Peace Clubs operate in local neighborhoods, we also encourage and facilitate interaction between our Clubs around the world. In this way, we promote a sense of community and friendship among children, youth and adults from different cultures.
Sharing Resources across Regions
During the past year, we saw many youth Club members sharing concern and support for other regions, resources and new games to play, and suggestions for community service projects. Adults from different regions also had the opportunity to take the Certified Trainer Course online, in a global, shared learning environment.
Several Play for Peace Clubs connected with each other via Skype this year. Youth leaders from two Clubs in India and three Philippines Clubs connected online, sharing laptop computers and headphones as they demonstrated their favorite Play for Peace Games with their new friends. They also showed each other flyers used to recruit participation and talked about their experiences as youth leaders.
Sending Love to Children in Nepal
Trainers and youth from Clubs in Guatemala participated in three online sessions with Club HOLA in Los Angeles, the Club in Clinton, IL, and one Club from the Philippines. Certified Trainer and Play for Peace Global Operations Manager Imroz Shah also conducted several online sessions with youth leaders from in India and a Club from the Philippines. Thanks to technology that enables our Clubs to meet and form supportive friendships, we have become a global learning community that facilitates the growth of our members.
When the world was reaching out to Nepal to offer relief and help in April and May of this year, children in three Play for Peace communities also sent messages of empathy, hope and healing to the children of Nepal. The Play for Peace Club from Palencia, Guatemala, Club HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles), and second graders from Wayne Elementary School in Bartlett, IL, all sent greetings and good wishes to the Play for Peace Club in Kathmandu.
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Play for Peace virtual youth exchanges give young leaders an opportunity to understand other cultures and exchange best practices from their Play for Peace Clubs. We believe this is a powerful way to promote global understanding, multicultural awareness and peace.
Connecting Play for Peace Clubs around the World Traveling with Play for Peace
Sam and Sarah Tower in Mexico
Rita Nguyen in Poland
Certified Trainers Sam and Sarah Tower from Tacoma, WA, have been part of the Play for Peace community for ten years. In March 2015, the two travelled to Zihuatenajo, Mexico for the Zihuatenajo International Guitar Festival. While exploring the town, they connected with members of the deaf community, and were invited to a gathering of deaf families.
Opportunities to share Play for Peace with other parts of the world arise when trainers like Rita Nguyen spend time in other countries. Rita started A New Day Social Work Group/ Play for Peace Club in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. When the opportunity arose for her to volunteer for ten months in Poland as part of a prize she won, she decided to share Play for Peace with as many people she could. Rita facilitated Practice Peace Sessions in Poland with students from elementary school to high school. Rita’s passion is evident, and we were proud to have a wonderful ambassador share Play for Peace with a new region.
The gathering consisted of deaf parents and their hearing children, combining an eclectic mix of English, Spanish and Mexican sign language. With children from toddlers to teenagers, Sam and Sarah engaged the group by introducing Play for Peace games, and the children reciprocated by teaching Sam and Sarah a game that they play. The couple was also able to visit a children’s school, along with festival musicians. Built by the Por Los Niños Foundation, the school provides underprivileged children with access to education, and every year Festival participants perform in the classrooms. The Towers were thrilled to introduce some Play for Peace games, and the teachers and children were excited to practice their English. As Sarah explained, “The teachers at this school, they’re hungry and thirsty for any kind of academic help. We didn’t come as official Play for Peace representatives, but using Play for Peace strategies, we provided avenues for learning.”
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Global Impact Connecting Play for Peace Clubs around the World A Global Learning Environment for Trainers Trainers and educators can make global connections through our online Certified Trainer Virtual Course. The program brings professionals in the field of experiential education together for two months of interactive coursework. Sarah Gough and Imroz Shah lead this train-the-trainer course. Jes Ward is the Director of CityWild in Denver who participated in the program. She was joined by Aura Hammer from Israel, Abha Jeurkar from Northern India, Richard de los Reyes from the Philippines, and Shalini Menon from Southern India.
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Jes enjoyed her experience of the training, and even blogged about it: “While I have participated in a variety of virtual learning opportunities, one of the many unique things that stood out to me about the Play for Peace training was how quickly I felt connected with the other participants, though most of us had never met in person.” Jes’ participation in the program led to the development of a new Play for Peace Club in Denver, and the other participants have continued to expand the Clubs in their regions as well.
Supporting Our Impact Just as the stories of Play for Peace at work around the world are inspiring and compelling, the stories from behind the scenes reflect the quiet dedication and inspired passion of those who support our programs. Our financial supporters represent all ages and backgrounds. They include an eight-year-old boy from Illinois who raised more than $10,000 for kids who deserve safe spaces to play. Some donors choose to sponsor events or underwrite travel so that trainers can visit new regions or attend global conferences. Generous contributors also sponsor trainings or the research project that will enable us to understand more about the impact of our work. Event volunteers put meticulous detail into preparations for our fundraising events, to help us provide wonderful experiences for those who attend and support Play for Peace.
Volunteers from around the world help us design our website and communicate the wonderful stories from our regions in our blog, through social media, and in newsletters shared with our community. Our partner organizations enable us to work locally in nearly 20 countries. Their staff members become Play for Peace mentors and trainers who help us reach people in their neighborhoods. With their support, we engage children, youth, families and entire communities in our work. The Play for Peace Global Learning Community is enriched by those who give gifts of skills, service and funds. With gratitude, we recognize the contributions that support the work of our youth leaders in the field.
“I have been touched by the laughter, compassion and hope Play for Peace brings to children living in conditions of poverty, discrimination and violence. My company sponsors the Walk for Peace because it’s a positive way to show our support for the work this organization does around the world. The event grows every year and we’re proud to be a sponsor.” Lisa Gelsomino President and CEO Avalon Risk Management
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Event Success Feast for Peace 2015 Our second annual Feast for Peace brought 130 guests together in Schaumburg, IL, on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. With a Mardi Gras theme, family-style dinner, silent auction and music, our event raised more than $25,000 to support our global community.
Walk for Peace 2014 The Bartlett Nature Center in Bartlett, IL, hosted our annual Walk for Peace. The event featured 1k and 5k walking trails, art projects, Play for Peace games, music and a silent auction. More than 150 walkers participated, including elementary school students and their families. Bartlettarea residents also enjoyed our International Food Festival as they helped us celebrate World Peace Day and raise $37,000 for Play for Peace.
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World Peace Day Celebrations 2014 For a second year, Play for Peace Clubs hosted World Peace Day Celebrations around the world. The celebrations honor the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, which occurs each year on September 21. In 2014, five Play for Peace Clubs hosted celebrations in four countries: Chicago, IL, USA; Palencia, Guatemala; Hyderabad and Mumbai, India; and Cebu, Philippines. Play for Peace has aligned with Peace One Day, an organization that coordinates celebrations of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace around the world. During the Youth Peace Conference in Norway, Sarah Gough met with their founder, Jeremy Gilley, who persuaded the United Nations to declare September 21st “World Peace Day.” They discussed the importance of celebrating and promoting World Peace Day, and Play for Peace joined the organization’s global NGO (non-governmental organization) Coalition.
Contributing to Our Success Nils and Amy Lofgren Musician Nils Lofgren, a solo artist and 30-year member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, supported Play for Peace this year. He and his wife, Amy, donated part of the proceeds from the auction of his guitar to Play for Peace. Our supporter, John Dillon, bought the guitar and asked Lofgren if he would share the proceeds with our organization.
Hennessy Family The Hennessy family from Bartlett, IL, always contributes heartfelt support to Play for Peace. Eight-yearold Aidan served as the team captain of his Walk for Peace team, which included his classmates from Wayne Elementary School and his Cub Scout Den. The team raised $15,000, and Aidan raised $10,000 individually. His parents, Mike Hennessy and Board ViceChair Lisa Gelsomino-Hennessy asked their employees to support Aidan’s efforts, and their companies also served as Gold Sponsors of the Walk for Peace. Aidan wrote a thank-you note that he shared with everyone who contributed to his team total: “If you came to the Walk for Peace with me, thank you for supporting me. I hope you enjoyed the Walk as much as I did. If you didn’t come to our Walk for Peace, please join us next year. It is so much fun. For everyone that donated money to me, thank you for supporting me. The money will help over 2,000 children in Play for Peace Clubs around the world and also help open new clubs. I want to visit my friend Sam in Guatemala one day, and other Play for Peace kids around the world.”
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Financial Report This report depicts the financial activities of Play for Peace for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015, and has been approved by Play for Peace Treasurer Kevin Creely. Support and Revenue Individual Support Corporations Grants and Sponsorship Foundation Grants Training Revenue In-kind & Pro Bono Services Revenue Other Revenue
$83,696 $13,410 $53,789 $6,193 $261,264 $4,169
Total Revenue
$422,520
Expenses Management & General Development & Fundraising General Programming Support Play for Peace Member Support Services Play for Peace Member Training Services New Member Training Programs and Activities Total Expenses Statement of Financial Position Assets Liabilities
$27,117 $34,633 $331,428 How$5,390 We Use Our Funds - [Please create pie chart identifying percentages $8,735 Administrative 6%; Fundraising 8%; Program$15,545 ming 86%] $422,848
Revenue 2012/2013 through 2014/2015 $72,259.13 [Please create a 3-year comparison bar graph] $0 2012/2013 $373,250 2013/2014 $72,259.13 2014/2015
Net
How We Use Our Funds
$369,372 $422,520
Revenue Growth $500,000
Administrative 6%
$400,000
Fundraising 8%
$300,000
Programming 86%
$200,000
$100,000
0
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
* A complete copy of financial statements is available upon request from Play for Peace, 500 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 600, Chicago, IL, 60611.
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Recognizing Our Donors Play for Peace would like to thank all of the generous companies, foundations, and individuals who have supported our work in the United States and throughout the world during the past year. Their support has helped us provide support to our vibrant community and bring Play for Peace to new regions.
Event Sponsors Gold Sponsors Avalon Risk Management Integrity Sourcing
General Sponsors 2toots Atlas Financial Bartlett Gymnastics Bartlett Nature Center BCB International BMS Chicago’s Best
Entertainment Colonial Cafe Color My World Studios Great American Insurance Company Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
India House Mandarin Bistro Marco’s Pizza Metropolitan Theatre Arlington Heights Morgan Christopher Salon
North of the Border Schaumburg Boomers Sheraton Hotel Starbucks Taste of Himalayas Taylor Street Pizza Tony and Dogfather
Waldorf Astoria Golf Club Western Overseas Corporation Charitable Foundations The Arthur Foundation Baird Foundation Richard Riley Conarroe Foundation
Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church Michael and Jean Terrien Foundation Nils Lofgren Fund Peter Klassen Foundation James Stuart Foundation Therese Foundation, Inc.
Gaetz Memorial United Church Jessica Gallinatti Bianca Garcia David Geake Richard and Lydia Gelsomino David Gilcrease Karen and Jim Gough Dow Jones Industrial Neelu Grover Dr. Justin Gruby Greg Guarrine John Gunn Catherine Hammer Harrison Street Real Estate Capital Theresa Harrold Linda Hartman-Reehl Linda Havens Mary Holdway Jack Hubbard Travis Hull Barbara Hyman Gary Hyman John Iaderosa Mazzenga and Shelly Images David Jefferson Carolyn Johnson Lizz Johnstone Ginny Jolly Denis Jones Ron Kapolnek John F. Kilroy Company, Inc. Jeffrey, Lisa and Henry King Steven King Amling Kimberlee Julie Kirsten Ken Kirsten
Rose Koopman Hal and Joan Kuczwara Kathryn Kylee Robert Lachance Bipin and Sarla Lapasia John Lawlor Ronna Leibach Debbie Lindgren Alexandra Lopez Karen and David Mains Cassandra Maloney Bates Mandel Pamela Matsinger Sandy Mayer Pat Merryweather Susan Meyer Dan and Barb Miller Kristy Miller Sharon Mills Bill Morrison Marilyn Morrison Gregory Murphy Tinamarie Newman Jennifer Nowicki Dorothy O’Brien David Odden Victoria Otto Wanda Pacheco Kevin Perez Martin Piepoli Taylor Pillsbury Barbara Pinzur David & Barbara Pinzur Mandakini Pokharna Christian Popoca Gordon Pratt Patrice Prescott Lisa and Lawrence Press Chaun Pridgeon Qualcomm Matching Grant
Bill Quinn Colin Quinn Elizabeth Quinn Sachin Ranka Ann Rhomberg Cameron Roberts John Rowney Richard Rutschman Keith Sanchez Catherine and John Scandora Cathy Scandora Susan Schultz Samuel Shapiro & Co. Khyrstin Shepard Mazhar Sheriff Zafar Sheriff Amy Silverman Rich Smith Elizabeth Sollman Lynne Solway Elizabeth Soper Robert Spatz Mandy Stewart Tracy and Kenneth Stewart Donald and Gina Stone Jami Suarez Kathleen Tangel Kham Thongvanh Sam Tower Sarah Tower Nick Tsambarlis Phil Tully Thomas and Michelle Vincere Christine Wade Jes Ward Holly Welch Dr. Jeffrey and Wanda Wener
Carlos Wihelm Terry Williams Albert Winston Dave Winter Wallace Winter Scott Wollney Leslie Woodward Anne Zastrow
Laura Gervase Alexander and Barbara Gough Mark Havens and Jill Pergande Lisa and Michael Hennessy Integrity Sourcing, LLC Diane Kelliher Kendall Hunt Publishing Dr. Peter Klassen Streamwood High School Therese Foundation Lon Wehrle
Donors $100 - $499 Florence Abbatacola Allstate Giving Bennett Barthelemy Allison Bassi Nathan Baylor Peyton Bendix Dianne Begin Ashley Berggren Jean Berube Amy Bircher Michael Blazer Lisa Bohne Bryan Bolger Kendra Bostick Kenneth Brait Holly and Steve Brookstein Ron Cantor Albert M Castellan Mary Ann Comstock Katherine M. Corbett John Cornell Kathleen Creely Brenda Custerespeleta Dick Daniels Pam Daniels Dana B. Davidson Jessica Davies Carlo Deatouguia Bill Delre Elisabeth Desgranges Craig Dobkin Chip Downing Richard and Slyvia Dresser T. Randy Ferguson Joanne Finegan David Freedman Larry and Susan Futterman
$500 - $999 Dan and Kathy Creely Dow Jones Matching Grant Todd Ernest Kristen Gough Colleen Gravina Michael Hsu Denis Jones Ronald Kovich Scott Lachance Lloyds TSB Janet McDonnell Madison Elementary School Martin Piepoli Lisa and Lawrence Press Donald and Gina Stone Doug Timberlake
$5,000 - $9,999 Richard Riley Conarroe Foundation
$10,000 + Bruce and Barbara Dobkin Amy and Nils Lofgren James and Dianne Stuart Michael and Jean Terrien
$1,000 - $4,999 Ameriprise Matching Grant Avalon Risk Management Insurance Agency, LLC Brian Barhaugh Countryside Unitarian Universalist Church Denise Chipman Sally Clair Kevin Creely John Dillon Deborah Farley
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Our Volunteers With an incredibly small staff at Play for Peace, we rely extensively on the support of our outstanding volunteers, partner organizations, trainers and board members. They come from many disciplines and locations, and have an impressive range of talents and skills. During the past year, we trained new trainers and launched new Play for Peace Clubs. We completely redesigned our website and shared inspiring stories from around the world
Volunteers
Partner Organizations
Belgium Barbora Strnadova
Canada Sault College
Brazil Valeria Ravier Isabella Ribeiro
Guatemala Cantel Palencia Muni San Felipe San Raymundo SERES University of San Carlos (USAC)
Canada Deanna Pizzitelli Denmark Alberto Olcese El Salvador/USA Gracia Feldman Egypt/USA Nancy Iskander India Uma Chandrasekaran Supreet Kaur Mexico Karol Alejandra Arámbula Carrillo Francisco Leon Carlos Ochoa Poland Tina Mouneimne Switzerland Lorna Harvey United States Robert Blankenbaker Maria Dell’Isola Cicely Douglas Michael Ormerod Lisa Rooney Ben Rosenzweig Mazhar Sheriff Zafar Sheriff Tom Smith Madeline Treschuk
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India Barkat Boys Town Center for Social Equity and Inclusion (CSEI) Educators Collective Organization French International School Jamia Milia University Khel Se Mel Khula Aasman Organization Madina Mission School PLAY India Progress High School Rotary Club of Pune Central Sacred Space Scholars School Shoshit Samadhan Kendra STAR Volunteer Organization Urooj High School World Vision Myanmar Whispering Seed
through our blog posts. We also planned two successful fundraising events in the Chicago area. All of these achievements were the result of volunteers investing their time to bring these projects to fruition. We are grateful for the support of our dedicated and talented team of volunteers and partner organizations. Thank you for all you continue to give to Play for Peace and our global community.
Certified Trainers
Nepal Canada Nepal Children’s Art Elisabeth Museum Desgranges Trish Golesic Norway Barnas Fredsverden Chile Ricki Sheldon Pakistan
Peru Michelle Juhasz-Stevens Philippines Richard de los Reyes Irvin Torralba
Starfish Asia Organization
China Jennifer de Rose
South Africa Thozi Ndlazi
Philippines Alliance of Argawanon Young Leaders I-MIND Society (CNU) Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.Kool Adventure Camp
Guatemala Andres Armas Jeffrey Fifield Sarah Gough
United States Jeff Albin Elysabeth Ashe Tina Baxter Jean Berube Kendra Bostick Craig Dobkin Lauren Evans (Lolo) Anbern Rodis Guarrine John Guarrine Hal Kuczwara Justin McGlamery Sharon Mills Dian Mitrayani Chaun Pridgeon Jared Reynolds Loren Rubin Richard Rutschman Imroz Shah Khyrstin Shepard Tom Smith Mandy Stewart Sam Tower Sarah Tower Robert Valle Jes Ward Eddie Wilson
Senegal Citoyens des Rues South Sudan Hold the Child PLAN International United States CityWild Organization DeWitt County Human Resource Center Highland Park HOLA (Heart of Los Angeles) Illinois State University Jane Addams School United Nations Volunteers University of Saint Joseph YMCA Tacoma Vietnam A New Day
India Javeed Ansari Shabana Begum Swati Bhatt Komal Gandhi Neelu Grover Abha Jeurkar Arshad Khan Kathryn Kylee Daya Lakshmi Archana Magar Shalini Menon Vishwas Parchure Priya Ravi Bhumi Seth Nisha Sharma Ajat Shatru Agyatmitra Shunya Aditya Vaishampayan Israel Sa’id Diabat Aura Hammer Samer Mouallem Mexico Livier Ayon Nepal Nabina Bhajrachrya
Vietnam Rita Nguyen
Board of Directors John Guarrine, Chair Lisa Gelsomino-Hennessy, Vice-Chair Janet McDonnell, Secretary
Board of Directors, Advisors and Staff
Kevin Creely, Treasurer Mark Havens Ron Kovich Michael Terrien Doug Timberlake
Play for Peace Founders Craig Dobkin Michael Terrien
Advisors Hemlata Pokharna, Ph.D. Tom Smith, Ph.D.
Staff Members Sarah Gough, Executive Director Imroz Shah, Global Operations Manager
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Play for Peace 500 Michigan Avenue, Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60611 (312) 675-8568 www.playforpeace.org
Annual Report Design Ian Browne, HBcreativity.com, United Kingdom Writers Maria Dell’Isola Sarah Gough Stories based on archived blog posts written by Sarah Gough, Deanna Pizzitelli, Imroz Shah and members of the Play for Peace community.
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