social justice – 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

11 06, 2021

Social Justice Leadership Camp: The Experience

Brandi Metzger2021-09-23T13:58:45-04:00June 11th, 2021|Tags: camp, social justice, summer|

by Kyarie Shelton Hello, my name is Kyarie Shelton. I just recently graduated from Pike High School and will be attending Johns Hopkins University in the fall. For the past two or three years, I have participated in Social Justice Leadership Camp. In the Summer of 2019, I was a participant in the camp. This camp opened my eyes to issues that I was unaware of. As an African American female, I knew from my own experiences of racial and gender inequalities; however, through this camp, I learned about mental health disparities, the wealth gap, sexuality inequalities, and the injustices that other people of color face. This camp not only explores the inequality of marginalized groups of people on a surface/street level, but it dives into the institutions and ideologies that keep the marginalized groups oppressed. The structure of the camp is as unique as the wonderful woman running it. Although our days are scheduled, Clare allows the participants to speak freely, even if it deviates a bit from the topic at hand. Clare creates a safe haven for opinions to be heard, and more importantly, respected. Clare treats us all as family and makes sure to incorporate light-hearted days throughout the program to even out the intense discussions. During the Summer of 2020, I was invited back to be a facilitator, and I facilitated throughout the 2020-2021 school year. It was an amazing experience, touching the lives of

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

18 04, 2019

Social Justice Leadership Camp Taking Applications

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:29-04:00April 18th, 2019|Tags: social justice, summer|

by Clare Wildhack-Nolan Social Justice Leadership Camp for 2019 is now taking applications! We cannot wait to meet the new leaders who will arrive at camp. Each summer it has been amazing to facilitate and get to know the bright, powerful youth who come to camp. Each day is an adventure watching the group get to know each other, gaining trust as a group and in themselves. In this text and computer-based world it takes extra bravery to share your authentic selves with people, offering your hopes and struggles, being challenged in a face to face format; however, each summer teenagers crush stereotypes and do it, better than most adults can! Social Justice Leadership Camp is a two-week day camp, July 8th to the 20th (9:00 am to 4:30 pm), with optional overnights on Fridays. Each day involves activities designed to build leadership skills, analyze power through critical thinking skills, develop community, provide time for self-reflection, and have fun! The themes of each day include: Who I Am, Social Justice Leadership 101, Economic Justice, Racial Justice, Gender and Sexuality Justice, Using Our Voice for Justice-Taking Action, Community Tours, and a SJ Leader Lunch. The camp will be held in the Butler Tarkington Neighborhood at the UUI Church. The cost is whatever families can afford, between $10-$200. We want to make sure money is not an obstacle for any participant. Please let us know if you need transportation assistance. Here is

20 03, 2018

Social Justice Leadership Camp

Brandi Metzger2023-03-16T13:08:43-04:00March 20th, 2018|Tags: camp, donations, indianapolis, newsletter, social justice, summer|

by Clare Wildhack-Nolan, Director of Social Justice Leadership Camp Register for our 2023 Social Justice Leadership Camp For the past 5 years, March has been the exciting time of year where I begin sharing with the community the opportunity for Indy teens to participate in Social Justice Leadership Camp. It feels amazing to be able to offer teens the kind of experience that I wished I had had when I was their age. As a teenager in Indianapolis, who already had strong values around human rights and the environment, I was in a constant state of learning and critically analyzing the hypocrisy I felt the adult world dished out. My identity and search for friendships and mentors was tied to my desire to address the pain in the world. Unfortunately, there was not a lot to choose from. Indianapolis was very segregated then as it is now, and I only knew the opportunity my small section offered, and only had those conversations with my classmates and a close knit group of friends. It would have been amazing to have a diverse group of teens from across the city to meet with and hear their perspectives. It would have been amazing to connect with adults who could listen and understand, and encourage me, complicating and connecting the information and experience I was grappling with. In those formative years, it would have been amazing to connect with people who I wouldn't

8 08, 2016

Social Justice Leadership Camp 2016

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:53-04:00August 8th, 2016|Tags: camp, social justice, summer|

Reflections by Clare Wildhack-Nolan (Director) This year was an amazing year in the practice of Social Justice Leadership Camp. It was our fourth year of building: curriculum building, leadership building, community building, momentum building. It was all that! The Social Justice Leadership Camp has proven we are successful in achieving our mission of developing confident and knowledgeable leaders who analyze power systems in order to build a more equitable society.Our two-week day camp develops critical thinking, encourages personal reflection, leadership development, civic engagement, and creative problem solving; essentially, community organizing skills. Our two-week day camp develops critical thinking, encourages personal reflection, leadership development, civic engagement, and creative problem solving; essentially, community organizing skills. Camp covers the themes of: personal identity, power analysis, social justice and leadership, media analysis, economic justice, justice within gender and sexuality, racial justice, justice and disability rights, art and expression, and event and action planning. This year the impact camp has had in our leaders’ lives, over the past four years, became evident. We are seeing campers who own their leadership, with a clearer understanding of how institutional power works. It is inspiring to see them work! Paije, who was in our first group of campers ever, stayed involved in our camp meet-ups and returned this year to participate in a second round of camp. Her ability to identify injustice and articulate the sources in institutional power that affect her life is a concrete product of

30 06, 2016

Thank You from Social Justice Leadership Camp

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:41:55-04:00June 30th, 2016|Tags: camp, social justice, summer|

Peace Learning Center and the youth of 2016's Social Justice Leadership Camp would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for their donations to help provide food for the two week camp. We appreciate your support of social justice education, advocacy and awareness for youth of Indianapolis. If you would like to join in helping support through a meal or donation of money please contact Clare Wildhack-Nolan. Business Donations: Good Earth Meijer (56th St.) Fresh Market (54th and College) Kroger (Broad Ripple) Individuals: Natalie Spriggs Demetrees Hutchins

22 12, 2014

2015 MLK Community Festival Workshops

Brandi Metzger2021-05-20T17:42:30-04:00December 22nd, 2014|Tags: mlk, mlk festival, social justice, workshops|

Last year's "The Ain't Too Late Show" workshop Plan to attend the engaging, entertaining and educational workshops which will be presented by our community partners during Peace Learning Center's 17th Annual MLK Community Festival on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 11-3 pm at CTS! #2015MLKIndy #1 Identifying Assets and Creating Change Presented by Public Allies Indianapolis (Indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center) This workshop will focus on the impact the community can have while facing adversity and critical changes that occur over time. Adults and youth would both be engaged in the dialogue. This includes seeking input on how they are contributing to creating and sustaining inclusive communities. The dialogue on empowering families through pipelines to success (highlighting the universal attribute of leadership ability) will be to inject an optimistic, encouraging tone to the conversation. It is important that there is a focus on how families can be successful, despite the inundation of negative influences. #2 Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe: Multiculturalism Presented by Joseph Maley Foundation The JMF Kids on the Block Puppet Troupe (KOB) tours central Indiana elementary schools, youth organizations, hospitals, and special events while utilizing the performance of puppetry to impart lessons of acceptance. Puppeteers are eighth-grade students who train with JMF staff and work with child-size puppets to present skits and facilitate question and answer sessions with audience members. The multiculturalism skits address topics and generate questions on identifying one’s own culture, stereotyping, and feeling