Hands of Peace and Rotary have concluded a successful District supported summer program!  Every year for the past four summers in San Diego and 15 summers in Chicago, Hands of Peace brings together Israeli, Palestinian and American teens to empower young people to raise their voices as leaders of change. This summer, we have almost 100 courageous individuals between the two sites that are taking part in this 19 day process, were they learn to put their bravery and emotions to the test. 

 

Amidst the intense dialogues, our participants also get to experience team building skills while visiting a ropes course, attending religious services at a Temple, a Mosque and a Church, often for the very first time, and putting their writing skills to the test preparing and delivering speeches at multiple events.  Social activism in both San Diego and Chicago are incorporated into our programming, through projects like the Hunger Van Project, whose mission is to provide the needy with a means and path to self-sufficiency, or lectures by Azim Khamisa, who carries an inspirational message of forgiveness, peace and hope.  

 

By balancing daily dialogue with other opportunities to build trust, mutual respect, tolerance, understanding and ultimately, action our goal is to create impactful change by developing future leaders who are committed to a positive and just peace.

 

Rotary members from Encinitas Coastal, San Diego Coastal, Downtown Breakfast Club, Del Mar/Solana Beach, La Jolla Golden Triangle San Diego e-Club and Chula Vista Sunrise have participated in the program through volunteering, hosting teens and attending events and offering support.  Three clubs in the Chicago area support the program and the founder, Gretchen Grad, has been awarded two awards by Rotary International: 1) The Willie Frankel Award for Harmony and Understanding from the Rotary Club of Wilmette, and 2) She was named a "Paul Harris Fellow" from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.