Heavy Snow? Icy Roads? School Closures? Nothing Stops Peace Ed
When winter weather rolled in with heavy snow and icy roads, schools across Louisville closed their doors—but the Peace Education Program team never hit pause. Instead, we used the unexpected downtime as an opportunity to plan intentionally for the second half of the school year. Our staff spent time in professional development, strengthened internal systems, and reorganized schedules to ensure we are delivering our programming with even greater impact in the months ahead.
One of the initiatives we are especially excited about this semester is expanding our Peace Education Family Engagement Nights. These evenings create space for families to experience firsthand the same conflict resolution tools their students are learning in school. After sharing a meal and time for fellowship, families engage in conversations about peaceful conflict resolution and participate in interactive activities designed to build affirmation, cooperation, and communication skills. Whether playing cooperative games, discussing emotions, or brainstorming safe and practical ways to calm down during moments of conflict, these gatherings equip parents, grandparents, and siblings with tools they can use in everyday life. We have found that families not only appreciate learning alongside their children, but also value having shared language and strategies they can practice together at home.
In our schools, conflict resolution trainings continue in full swing. This month, we are wrapping up our sessions with third and fourth graders at McFerran Preparatory Academy, helping students strengthen their problem-solving skills and practice healthy communication. At the same time, we are training a new cohort of peer mediators who will serve as leaders within their schools, empowering their classmates to resolve conflicts constructively. We are also expanding our Navigators mentoring program, which provides consistent adult mentorship and practical conflict resolution skills to young people who benefit from additional guidance navigating life’s challenges.
For more than 40 years, the Peace Education Program has strengthened communities and schools by training youth and adults to build and sustain positive relationships. Even when snow disrupts our schedules, our mission remains steady. Each training, mentoring relationship, and family engagement opportunity moves us closer to a community where conflicts are resolved through communication and violence becomes the rare exception rather than the norm. As we look ahead to the remainder of the school year, we are energized by the continued growth of our services and the increasing number of students and schools we are privileged to serve. Winter weather may slow traffic, but it will never slow the work of building peace.
Mark your calendars and get ready to hit the greens for peace. Our annual Golf for the Greater Good scramble returns on June 27, 2026, at Shawnee Golf Course. This signature event brings together friends, supporters, and community partners for a day of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition—all in support of the Peace Education Program’s work to reduce violence and build positive relationships across Louisville.
Registration is open, click here to send an email for more information.
We LOVE our donors!
February is the month when we celebrate love, and at Peace Education Program, we want to take this opportunity to share our heartfelt appreciation for those who make our work possible. All of our programming is made possible through collaboration and partnership with dedicated community leaders, including The Pritchard Committee, Jefferson County Public Schools, Louisville Metro Office of Violence Prevention, Shirley’s Way, Inc., Evolve 502, and our many generous donors.
Together, we are building a community where young people learn to resolve conflict peacefully, strengthen relationships, and grow into leaders who value respect and understanding. To our donors, we offer our sincere thanks. Your generosity supports the work we do every day with young people and their families across our community. Because of you, students are learning the language of conflict resolution, families are gaining tools to navigate challenges together, and schools are becoming safer, more supportive environments. Your investment in peace creates ripples that extend far beyond the classroom.
If you would like to share the love this February with a gift to Peace Education Program, donations may be mailed to 318 W. Kentucky Street, Louisville, KY 40203, or made online at bit.ly/PPatPeaceED.
Thank you for standing with us and for believing in a future where peace is practiced every day.