Dear friends and global neighbors:

Our second edition of the newsletter is unfolding amidst a miriade of earth changing events. As we move forward in linear time the work that we do a peaceworkers is evolving, in non linear time.


As we simultaneously manifest our humanistic outreach and inner reflections we are developing the most miraculous Presence. It is in this Presence that the work of the association goes forward. The homeless children of the world (locally Covenant House) are a part of our humanitarian embrace. We are planting seeds of hope using simple educational tools to build self-esteem and communication skills. These tools have already shown an immediate and positive effect . When these techniques are applied, anger and anxieties are defused and depression is lessened. In addition there is an immediate increase in motivation to continue schooling and/ or pursue early career opportunities. Locally we continue to work with the mental health professionals at the Covenant House community, supporting these children to ultimately become intergrated into our society. The homeless children in our communities and in our societies as a whole, are often hidden from our day to day view, but they are a most significant human resource. One of the things we are doing is to have these educational tools developed all over the world in other organizations, like Covenant House. Our intention is that the homeless children of the world may have the opportunity to join the citizens of our societies and enjoy productive and fulfilling lives.


Another project that we are participating in has to do with engaging an interfaith effort to build harmony. We are working with the interfaith community to help mediate an understanding between the various religions or faiths. The fundamental principles of all religions share their roots. These roots reach into the deepest values and beliefs that each of us hold within us. In their essence they are all the same. With that truth we are now working with clergy and lay leaders of the Muslim, Christian and Jewish faiths to create dialogue between
the interfaith community. This is a long term project and we do not expect immediate results, but we know that such efforts are fruitful to the benefit of all members of the community and the greater global community. I am personally working with different religious scholars and leaders, all over the world, via email, to promote commonalities of understanding between the faiths.


Another important activity that we are engaged in is in creating dialogue with administration in the schools of our community. This is a very essential place to uphold deeper consciousness of the values and needs of our children and to create dialogue. Anyone who has or works with children knows that it is truly a community effort to educate and mentor children into a society. This dialogue includes generating input in parent commitees. These parent committees have an active role in interfacing with administration on issues related to teacher hiring; safety in the schools and occupational perspectives for high school students. These efforts are part of the associations mission to create broader and deeper awareness of meaningful and peace oriented values and goals.


An important theme that the association has been and will continue to be concerned with is in Honoring Children: Their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. We are inviting you, our readers and members, to become part of these or any other efforts that would be significant toward Honoring our Children in global community. It is the deepest intention of this organization to expand awareness and concern infinitely in relation to the values that promote peace and in that light the welfare of the children of the world plays a major role.

Another important arena of our endeavors involves the work that we are doing within the American Psychological Association. The Society for the Study of Peace Conflict and Violence, Division 48, has a task force now active and in place on Peace and Spirituality. I serve as Chair and we are engaged in a number of projects involving the significance of values in promoting human welfare. These projects include: research studies; development of questionaires; and convention program offerings.

Our core concern which underlies all of our humanitarian values and projects is building understanding about the unity between all people, and all religions.Something that Nelson Mandela (the Noble Peace Prize Laureate) said in his 1994 Inaugural Speech: “…..It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us…….and as we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear our presence automatically liberates others.”

The practice that Mr. Mandela describes, is a way of directly experiencing the unity that lies at the core of our mission. We invite any and all people who are interested in such endeavors to contact us about their particular interests and concerns in regard to the promotion of understanding.

With deep respect,
Steve