Summer of Peace

Celebrate the “Summer of Peace” Summer of Peace is a youth-led initiative to promote community unity and nonviolence. The highly anticipated 6th Annual Summer of Peace Citywide Youth Rally and Peace Summit on August 8 will bring together youth and community leaders for a daylong event. Each year Milwaukee’s youth gather to plea for peace and unity through dance, music, peace art exhibits, and most importantly, conversation. The Summer of Peace Initiative presents a collaborative and colorful day full of anti-violence information and resources. It is an opportunity for youth and young adults to show the community their positive contributions and genuine commitment toward peace. Over 25 area organizations participate. It is sponsored by Youth Leadership Circle and will be held at COA Youth & Family Center. The Center is located in Kilbourn-Kadish Park, next to COA’s Riverwest Center at 909 East Garfield Ave. The Summer of Peace received a proclamation from the Mayor last year for outstanding service to the City of Milwaukee. Organized as a grassroots effort to promote peace principles and provide an outlet for creative expression, the event challenges residents, the business community, educators and policymakers to support new, youth-led efforts for peace and safety in our city. For over six years, Co-founder/Director Tanya Cromartie-Twaddle and Co-founder/Coordinator Fidel Verdin have engaged thousands of Milwaukee’s young people in creative anti-violence programs. Highlights of the schedule include: 9am Peace Summit: Teens and young adult leaders gather with community leaders, policymakers and concerned residents to openly discuss and explore new solutions to undoing the grip that violence and poverty have on our city. The summit is open to youth ages 12 and up, community residents and leaders. Youth participants must pre-register by calling 702-4796. 11am Milwaukee Public Theatre’s Parade into the Park Milwaukee Peacemaker Recognition Ceremony, “Stop the Violence” Youth Performance Showcase Children’s Play Area with carnival games, face painting, super slide and more. Free food and giveaways for pre-registered groups. Call 702-4796. Other information can be found at www.myspace.com/sopmke or through summerofpeace@gmail.com. Past and present sponsors include COA Youth and Family Centers, Fighting Back Initiative, Safe & Sound, SDC-Youth Development Program, CDBG, Riverwest Currents, Brighter Futures, Milwaukee Public Theatre, MPS Partnership for the Arts, Milwaukee County CAMPAC, GPI, the Milwaukee Arts Board, the State of Wisconsin Arts Board and the United Performing Arts Fund.