How to create peace at home and in the world

Peace begins at home--in our families, in our neighborhoods, and in our communities. And the best way we can foster peace globally is to work in our communities to create peace locally. How? By volunteering!

Studies show that when adults volunteer with children, kids' drug use and violent behaviors decrease, and school attendance increases. If you want to work for peace, spend time with a child at risk and you can change the world.

Pledge to volunteer today and we'll help you get started. Not only is volunteering good for your community, it's good for you too - volunteering strengthens social networks and improves self-esteem, and leads to physical health benefits such as lowering your blood pressure and strengthening your immune system.

When we read about the war in Iraq, violence in the Middle East, and the refugee crisis in Sudan, we can feel so powerless. But we have the power to make a very real difference in the lives of people around us. And when we paint a school, read a child a book, feed a hungry neighbor, or share the gift of literacy with adults, we are taking concrete steps toward real peace by solving the problems that lead to violence in the first place.
 

Community Service: Hand-in-Hand, we can make a difference!

The YJP Board envisions local YJP groups engaging in community service for their own and the local community's benefit. We encourage local leaders to organize groups who can decide what type of community service is most meaningful for them, participate in an activity, and then reflect on the meaning of their actions as a group. This can be a great way to get to know others in the group, learn about yourself and your community and make a difference! If you are interested in organizing a local community service project, please contact yjponline@gmail.com.

It all starts with one person, you, to form the first link in the chain...Be a part of the chain and get involved!

For more information about the service learning program, please contact us and download these documents:

Service Learning
Jain Perspectives on Service and Compassion