The strategies used within the field of Peacebuilding are greatly under-utilized but can make a tremendous difference in changing outcomes within all areas of society. From conflict resolution, positive youth development, prevention and healing from trauma, within education and our criminal justice system to building healthier relationships, RPCP's initiatives offers the expertise to support community members in creating a positive future.
Virtual Peace Collaborative
Our Virtual Peace Collaborative is a positive outgrowth of COVID-19 when we were all locked down in isolation to inspire support and build connection with world citizens seeking to build community, continue learning and gaining new skills and insights to apply into our daily lives. Some of the offerings were: Creating Peace at home, Engaging Kids in Quarentine, Intro to Restorative Justice, Restorative Practices in Schools, Peace thru Sports, Non-violence as a way life for Couragous People, Dialoge Facilitaiton, Conflict Coaching, Cross Cultrual Communication, Women's Health, The Black Experience, From Trauma to Resilience and more. Please visit or website for future offerings.
Climate Collaboratory
RPCP has joined with the Climate Collaboratory (CC) in Alachua County to serve as their nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Tax deductible donations may be made to RPCP specifically for CC. Global sustainability is an important part of RPCP’s overall mission. We are all connected!
The Climate Collaboratory is developing a pilot community-wide climate conversation-to-action program. They are focusing their work in 2022-23 on Climate Action for Peace.
Community support is coming from different directions, which we see as branches of CC:
Let's Talk Climate is a network of climate activists establishing a year-round calendar of live and online events including movie nights with Cinema Verde, book clubs, workshops, presentations and other activities.
Building Community in a Changing Climate is a faith-based climate conversation in Alachua County, with a global network of support. The Interfaith Climate Group hosts a monthly online devotional and climate conversation.
Climate Collaboratory! The Musical is our collaborative storytelling adventure, told in a series of workshops and videos throughout the year. We showcase real-world Climate Action for Peace in September and April, providing a model for other parts of the world. Our local partners include Star Center Theatre, At the WELLness Network, and CoCreate: Climate Optimism at UF.
For more info: https://gardensofglobalunity.org/climate-collaboratory/
Students to Successful Citizens
The Students to Successful Citizens initiative seeks to dismantle the School to Prison Pipeline. Community collaborators involved in this initiative seek to address behavioral concerns, while keeping kids in school and ensuring families have the necessary resources and support. As one organization of the many founding members of this council, RPCP’s involvement has been to support solution focused approaches, rather than punitive, disciplinary models. Students to Successful Citizens meets monthly to receive updates on the System of Care, to share progress in addressing the School to Prison Pipeline, and identify community resources that support the needs of families in Alachua County. To date, the group represents more than 25 community agencies throughout Alachua County—from law enforcement agencies to after-school program providers—all committed to the success of Alachua County students.
Resilience Charter School
RPCP is a founding collaborative partner of the Resilience Charter School which opened in Fall of 2016 in Gainesville, Florida. The mission of the Resilience Charter is to cultivate a dynamic learning community based on innovation, social justice, and environmental stewardship for grades 6-8. The Resilience Charter School goes beyond academics to emphasize Social Emotional Learning as a foundation for success in life, as well as Project Based Learning and mindfulness practices. RPCP provides ongoing staff training and consultation on using Restorative Justice Circles to address conflict and incidents of harm in lieu of more traditional, punitive disciplinary practices.
Community Events
Community Peacebuilding month is in October. Over the past few years, RPCP has offered FREE events, educational outreach, and celebrations throughout October, including:
• Peer mediation for youth
• Education, celebration, and advocacy during school assemblies with Be MORE Heroic, inspiring youth to evoke positive and courageous action through live music and story
• Partnership with University of Florida during Conflict Resolution Week, offering workshops and trainings
• Related movies and dialogues
• Parenting workshops
• Newspaper, Magazines, Radio, and TV Interviews
• Community Dialogues
• Police/Youth Dialogues
• Presentations at National Conferences
• Conflict Resolution Trainings for Teachers and Guidance Counselors
Trauma Responsive Community
Trauma is the leading worldwide health crisis that is preventable. It's impact is profound and long lasting from domestic violence, war, poverty, environmental destruction and so much more. That is why RPCP is a co-founder and collaborating partner of Peace4Gainesville, a consortium of practitioners, advocates and experts in the field of trauma. The aim of P4G is to advocate, coordinate, and educate our community regarding the prevalence and impact of trauma and how to build resiliency in support of transforming tragedy to triumph. We provide day long or one to three-hour educational programs regarding the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and offer strategies to enhance resilience and interrupt the cycle of violence. Programs are available for individuals, community groups and service providers offering a“trauma-responsive” approach.