community Archives - Peace Learning Center

30 09, 2022

Recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month 2022

Brandi Metzger2022-09-30T12:54:47-04:00September 30th, 2022|Tags: awareness, community, education, indianapolis, Mindfulness, Social and Emotional Learning, social justice|

Peace Learning Center joins the nation in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15). We believe this country is made greater by the culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. In this blog we have included 1.) a brief explanation of terms, 2.) local groups whose work center the Hispanic community, and 3.) local events where we can join others in celebrating this special time! 1. Terms Hispanic refers to people of Spanish-speaking origin. “Hispanic” is an ethnicity. The term was adopted in the 1970s by the U.S. government to try to classify people from Latin America under a common identity (NPR). Under federal policy, Hispanic is not a race. However, many multiracial Americans consider their Hispanic background as part of their race (Pew). Latino (grammatically masculine) or Latina (grammatically feminine) refers to people residing in the U.S. who are of Latin-American descent (NPR). Some use Latinx or Latine as gender-neutral terms. “Brazilians are Latino because the country is located in Latin America. But Brazilians aren’t considered Hispanic because the country’s primary language is Portuguese. Meanwhile, Latinx identity brings together people in South and Central America, who may share a history of Spanish colonization, but that category isn’t defined by having Spanish-speaking ancestry,” (Vox). 2. Local Groups La Plaza OUR MISSION: La Plaza strengthens Central Indiana by advocating and preparing Latino students for educational success and by connecting Latino families to health and social services. OUR

19 07, 2019

Two Weeks of Two Different Camps

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:26-04:00July 19th, 2019|Tags: community, social justice, summer|

by Kate Owens July is a special time at Peace Learning Center because it is when we host our two specialty camps! Climate camp is put on in collaboration with Earth Charter–Indiana and brings together Indianapolis youth ages 5-17 to learn about climate and sustainability. Every day of climate camp is different, full of different activities such as creek stomping, yoga, and field trips. One of the most special parts of Climate Camp is participating in a ceremony called The Council of All Beings, which asks the students to choose an animal whose perspective they will look at the world through. By doing this, they learn to look at the earth more empathetically and understand how all beings are interconnected. They make masks to help them embody and understand their creatures. This exercise guides the youth climate warriors to think about how climate change is impacting the lives of other species. This powerful and inspiring week leads all those involved to renew a passion to live sustainable. One camper described his personal impact of Climate camp saying: “When I go home, what I want to do is to defend the earth from climate change. I’m going to try to lower my carbon footprint. I want to try using less power, composting more, recycling more and trying to pick up more trash when I see it.” The other specialty camp we host in July is Social Justice Leadership Camp! SJLC

15 05, 2019

Meet the Intern: Kate Owens

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:29-04:00May 15th, 2019|Tags: community, internship|

HI! I’m Kate Owens and I’m this summer’s Marketing and Communications intern at Peace Learning Center! I’m currently a senior at IU Lily School of Philanthropy. Majoring in philanthropic studies allows me to learn about the history of philanthropy and theories to be effective as well as the tangible skills necessary to succeed in a non-profit setting. In my free time, I love to travel and go to concerts. I also spend an inappropriate amount of time binge-watching shows I have already seen. I am incredibly passionate about mental health and social justice issues. The role mental health plays in the lives of individuals and communities cannot be overstated. Mental health awareness can lead to a healthier and more productive society. I see mental health to not only include mental illness in a clinical sense but also part of every individual's overall wellbeing. It also includes the development of healthy coping skills, emotional intelligence, and the importance of self-care. Mental health issues also have a major impact on other societal issues like the criminal justice system and addiction. I believe love in action through kindness and peace is one of the greatest ways to solve problems and strengthen communities and Peace Learning Center’s mission is the perfect embodiment of that. Martin Luther King Jr. sums it up best: “Love, agape, is the only cement that can hold this broken community together. When I am commanded to love, I am

20 03, 2019

Remembering the Village

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:29-04:00March 20th, 2019|Tags: community, family, family peace|

by Naeemah Jackson, Family Programs Director Stereotypes are misleading. Stereotypes are harmful. Stereotypes are incredibly counter-productive, and they can be anathema to the truth of a person, and/or a group of people. Even city zip codes can reinforce negative stereotyping of the people who live within these boundaries. High property taxpayers vs. renters. Let us together demolish a pernicious stereotype. As an example, I am referencing Blackburn Terrace Apartment Complex which is located within the 46218 zip code in Indianapolis, IN; a zip code which is considered to be a "hot spot." Blackburn has its share of crime - which of course never fails to make it to the local evening news. After all, "if it bleeds, it leads." However, the level of scrutiny many neighborhoods and their residents receive - and the level of outrage and condemnation which the community at large can heap upon them is too often out of proportion; and, too often ignored are the constructive and positive activities and initiatives that are a daily occurrence. There is more good than bad. An example of a meritorious effort being carried out at the Blackburn Terrace Complex, among other proactive work being done by the staff, is the introduction of Peace Learning Center's Connect and Communicate (CC) Program. These multi-generational workshops have proven to be efficacious in the past at working with families to make what is good and righteous in the family, even better. We

22 02, 2018

Safe Spaces in Community Programs

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:38-04:00February 22nd, 2018|Tags: community, newsletter|

by John McShane, Community Programs Director I worked recently with the senior staff at an Indianapolis hospital on a team building and renewal workshop series. There were about 50 participants. This was our second meeting. In our first, we discussed assumptions and how they might feed into misunderstandings and even conflict. Session one also reviewed conflict styles and communication strategies. Something about session two was very different. We began the session with a concentric circle exercise. People are assigned dialogue partners and are tasked, alternately, with only speaking or listening roles. The three questions for the short conversations (about 90 second each) were: Tell me about a time you felt left out, unwelcome, or even discriminated against. Tell me about a time you saw someone left out, unwelcome, or even discriminated against. Tell me about a time you saw someone left out, unwelcome, or even discriminated against and it worked out well or was a success story. The questions follow a pattern we typically use in our professional development workshops. We begin with reflection and an examination of self, our stance. We then follow with work and dialogue considering our impact on and with others. Finally, after discussing self and others, we move to community. Specifically, we discuss what impact participants can have on their own communities. In this context a community can be a workplace, a family, a neighborhood, a professional association, a place of worship, etc. The

18 12, 2017

Guest Column: Passion Yoga School

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:39-04:00December 18th, 2017|Tags: community, Costa Rica, meditation, passion, travel, yoga|

It’s already December and Passion Yoga School has a lot of FREE gifts coming at you in the next months! Take a look at Adi Shakti’s blog posts today and tell us what you think. Click the image below to get access to all the blog posts! Happy Holidays from all of us at Passion Yoga School! “ I am a blessed soul. I have been given opportunities, hand over fist, to expand my consciousness, connect with my sisters all over the globe, and to actively pursue stillness in the nosiest of places. I am a yoga student and teacher, committing my life to expanding my capacity for bliss, to healing the traumas of this life and others, and to supporting others in that same journey. “ Adi Shakti, Travel, Leadership, Grief & Resilience through Yoga https://www.passionyogaschool.com/blog/2016/12/28/lelakwiw4xdcmfo4ir7z7xlvgyyuun For more information or any questions, please email us at support@passionyogaschool.com or visit us here. Did you know that we are hosting a Yoga Alliance Certified 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training + Self Empowerment Course at the Peace Learning Center in 2018? It includes weekends at the Peace Center + a Costa Rica immersion! The program will feature 5 weekends of training in Indianapolis at The Peace Center starting on July 27th. Once done with the Indianapolis weekends, you will come to join us in the beautiful jungle of Costa Rica, Caribbean coast, for a 10 day Immersion, all-inclusive, at our permaculture

17 11, 2017

Guest Column: Passion Yoga School

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:39-04:00November 17th, 2017|Tags: community, Costa Rica, meditation, passion, travel, yoga|

Did you know that we are hosting a Yoga Alliance Certified 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training + Self Empowerment Course at the Peace Learning Center in 2018? It includes weekends at the Peace Center + a Costa Rica immersion! The program will feature 5 weekends of training in Indianapolis at Peace Center starting on July 27th. Once done with the Indianapolis weekends, you will come to join us in the beautiful jungle of Costa Rica, Caribbean coast, for a 10-day Immersion, all-inclusive, at our permaculture center in Puerto Viejo. The program is priced at $3000 ($2400 for the program + $600 donation to The Peace Center). The $600 is Tax-Deductible and goes to support a Peace Education initiative in the inner cities of Indianapolis. With the Holidays arriving so fast, Passion Yoga School would love to offer you the opportunity to buy a $250 Gift Card for your loved ones for Christmas (or any other occasion)! This card could act as a special deposit on the Indianapolis & Costa Rica Training or any of our other upcoming programs of 2018! Click the image below to get access to the Gift Card. Happy Holidays from all of us at Passion Yoga School! For more information or any question, please email us at support@passionyogaschool.com or visit us here. Schedule Indianapolis Weekends: JULY 27-29, 2018 AUGUST 24-26, 2018 SEPTEMBER 14-16, 2018 OCTOBER 5-7, 2018 OCTOBER 19-21, 2018 Weekend Schedule: Fridays 6pm -

17 11, 2017

Inside Implicit Bias Workshops

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:40-04:00November 17th, 2017|Tags: community, implicit bias, workshop|

by Natalie Spriggs, Youth Programs Director Lately, “implicit bias” is a buzz term that has popped up in articles and social media. Most folks know what bias is, but implicit biases are those biases that are hidden; one may not necessarily be aware of. Peace Learning Center has taken on tackling the issues around implicit bias. We have created a 4-Hour long workshop that helps people look inside themselves, figuring out what implicit biases one may have as well as analyzing gatekeepers and how this affects the daily work folks do. Peace Learning Center has led many of these implicit bias workshops with all sorts of people. Of course when something is hidden finding it can always be a challenge. Homework is given before these workshops: the Harvard implicit bias surveys. There are several different ways to uncover implicit bias. This is just one of the ways used to help folks see where some of their implicit bias may lie. It is interesting to me the different reactions people have with the implicit bias test. Most all of the reactions people may experience are perfectly normal; reactions range from disbelief, refusal of taking the test, questioning of the validity of the test, and many other reactions. Others have a great understanding before they take this test, have done some work themselves around implicit bias, and understand everyone has implicit bias. Again all of these reactions are perfectly normal; just stages

17 10, 2017

Guest Column: Passion Yoga School

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:42-04:00October 17th, 2017|Tags: community, Costa Rica, meditation, passion, travel, yoga|

Yoga Alliance Registered 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training coming to Peace Learning Center We are excited to officially announce our new Indianapolis + Costa Rica 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training coming up for the summer 2018! Our program is a dynamic fusion of traditional yogic wisdom, creative harmonizing posture sequencing, top-notch business support and development training, deep spiritual searching, and training in self-love and acceptance. We wanted a safe space to express our wild, deepen our yogic study, challenge our capacity for freedom, and develop lasting loving friendships. So, we created it. The program will feature 5 weekends of training in Indianapolis at The Peace Learning Center starting on July 27th. Once done with the Indianapolis weekends, you will come to join us in the beautiful jungle of Costa Rica, Caribbean coast, for a 10-day Immersion, all-inclusive, at our permaculture center in Puerto Viejo. Passion Yoga School uncovers the alchemy of pristine technical training and deep supported spiritual inquiry. Akhanda Shakti is an integrative fusion rooted in tradition. It is the blend of two approaches. We are dedicated to the traditional ancient teachings of lineage. We also commit to a re-wilding; to the liberation of the divine feminine. Our Method is the marriage of solid anatomical training and the heart of spiritual evolution. Our mission is EMPOWERMENT for our students. We lay the foundation of sequencing energetics, educate you on the principles of

5 12, 2016

A TED Talk Inspired Spiritual Talk Series WALK THE TALK: COMPASSION

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:48-04:00December 5th, 2016|Tags: community, tim nation|

The Vogue | Wednesday, December 14, 2016 INDIANAPOLIS - Walk the Talk: Compassion continues the innovative TED Talk inspired Spiritual Talk series, and will showcase six speakers discussing and sharing personal stories about compassion. The event will also feature live music, confetti, interactive activities and a Motivational Balloon drop, making it an over-the-top show unlike any other speaker series! Walk the Talk: Compassion will be held on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:15 p.m.) at The Vogue in Broad Ripple (6259 N. College Avenue). Tickets are on sale now ($15, plus applicable fees) at the Vogue Box Office, TheVogue.com, and Ticketfly.com. Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door on the day of the event. The six speakers of Walk the Talk: Compassion will inspire, motivate and awaken the mind with messages of how compassion has affected their lives by answering the question: What does compassion mean to you? Speakers will include: Jessica Froelich - Jessica Froelich is on a mission to make the world a more peaceful, loving place, and as a love warrior, has made a lifelong commitment to deepening her connection to the power of unconditional love. A storyteller at heart, she has always enjoyed performance arts and acting on stage and in film. Her authentic, open expression of emotions provides others with a raw, un-edited reminder of the beauty in our human nature, and through the lens of compassion, she will