Circle of Peace
What is it?
"Stand for Something or You'll Fall for Anything" – TKF "Circle of Peace" motto
Who better to give us the "scoop" on the youth than the youth
themselves! The TKF "Circle of Peace" is a youth advisory council
for TKF. The members are student leaders who want
to make the world spin by being positive role models for Peace in their
schools and neighborhoods. 
TKF "Circle of Peace" is a living example that different young
people can come together in a shared commitment to Peace and to celebrate
that EVERYONE has value. In their desire to make this world a better place…
they know that CHANGE starts first with YOU and me.
In this youth leadership program, students learn techniques to:
- Develop a sense of inner peace
- Enhance key Life Skills, such as: Teambuilding; Empathy; and an Appreciation of Cultural Differences and Anger Management
- Apply the leadership skills they develop toward a Community Service Project that includes service-learning activities and sponsored annual events such as a school-wide Peace Day, Peace Week, painting a school mural or tutoring/mentoring younger students.
- This program may be conducted as a voluntary after-school club two times
a week or may also be incorporated into the 6-to-6 program as a mandatory
daily before-school program at the Elementary School level as well as
other ways.
The TKF "Circle of Peace" council was first formed in February
2002. This past school year there were clubs at Perkins Elementary and Montgomery Middle School. All of our student members give
us valuable and truthful input about TKF’s programs. They make sure that
TKF knows what’s up with the youth of San Diego!
TKF developed TKF Circle of Peace during 2003. This critical hours after-school leadership program for middle-school students incorporates similar skill building activities to those included in the TKF PeaceWorks curriculum. TKF collaborates with other community-based, youth-focused agencies for the different program segments. Circle of Peace student members act as a youth advisory board for TKF.
Perkins Peace Song
Listen to a song of peace from Circle of Peace students at Perkins Elementary. The melody is by Linda K. Williams, and the words are by Azim Khamisa:
Sustained goodwill creates friendship.
Sustained friendship creates trust.
Sustained trust creates compassion.
Sustained compassion creates peace.
Words from Members
Our TKF "Circle of Peace" young members say that
one way to be a Peacemaker is to "tell your friends there are better
alternatives than fighting and other ways to deal with your anger than taking
it out on someone else." Some people might try to tell you that
fighting and bullying others make you look powerful … but it’s the people
who fight to show they’re tough who really are the WEAK ones. It takes strength
to practice Peace, and you can move mountains with it!
The TKF "Circle of Peace" also says, "one of the best
ways you can prevent rumors and fights and killings is by getting to know
everybody before you judge them. You can find common interests and spend
time with each other getting to know one another." We can all
be Leaders for Peace - it’s FREE and it feels good!
"I am in the TKF "Circle of Peace." Our major goal is
to spread peace around our school and to other students. We also help TKF
with some of their projects and give them our point of view. I enjoy being
in this group because I think we can really do something about the violence
in kids today." - Sasha Boubion, 8th grader, Farb Middle School
Curriculum
The purpose of the Circle of Peace is to inspire students to find peaceful ways to live and prosper in this world. The students will learn about forgiveness, empathy, and ways to handle their anger and stress. They will also realize the importance of giving back to their community.
Circle of Peace is based on three primary components:
INNER PEACE
Learning how to go within, to be at peace with one’s self.
LIFE SKILLS
Acquiring such skills as public speaking, expressing feelings, teambuilding, and diversity training. The students will learn to be at peace with one another.
COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Students take what they’ve learned and apply these skills to peacemaking in the community. Different options are offered for the students to select one key community project to work on.
Each activity includes materials needed. You may want to ask the students to help, or parents, and have them bring the materials needed ahead of time.
Circle of Peace is a great way to bond, work together, and create peace and connection in your community.