The Rotary Clubs of Mathews, Gloucester, Gloucester Point, Middlesex and Town of West Point have provided scholarships, logistics and support to introduce NewGen Peacebuilders to the Middle Peninsula.
NewGen Peacebuilders is a youth education program designed to expose youth to the principles of anger management, conflict resolution, cultural competency, environmental education, gender and race equality, mediation and negotiation, nonviolent communication, social and economic justice, project management, time management and youth empowerment, a release said.
Drawing from the principles of peace education familiar to Rotary Peace Fellows, as well as best practices in peace and global education for youth, NewGen Peacebuilders content is universal in nature, but also adaptable to local language, issues and cultural circumstances, a release stated.
The Middle Peninsula Rotary clubs will provide scholarships for 25 to 30 high school youth and five to six adult mentors who will support youth through immersion workshops, guest speakers and youth-directed peace project implementation.
The final result of the NewGen Peacebuilders program is developing empowered young people who are equipped to resolve conflict and build bridges for the rest of their lives, the release said. Youth who are interested in learning more about this opportunity which starts in January will need to contact the guidance personnel in their respective schools this fall to begin the application process.
To finish raising money for scholarships, the Rotary Clubs of the Middle Peninsula will throw a unique fundraising experience later this month. Playing Croquet for Peace will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Mathews Croquet Club field on Lillies Lane in Redart.
People don’t need to know anything about croquet to participate. Mathews Croquet Club members will be on hand to teach teams how to play this fun ball-and-mallet sport.
To participate, four-member teams pay an entrance fee of $200. This fee pays for breakfast, lunch, non-alcoholic beverages, game instruction and equipment. Prizes will be given for the team winning the tournament, team with best spirit, most creative name, best dressed team, most creative outfits and more. Teams may bring family, friends and coworkers to cheer them on toward the winning prize.
For more information contact Tom Lakin at 804-514-5487 or tomlakin@me.com.