Building Transformative Relationships

We also know that youth in crises are not going to come looking for us.  So instead, we go looking for them.  Our Peacebuilders are in the community, on the streets, seeking out traumatized youth, trapped in the cycle of violence and poverty.

Our Peacebuilders keep showing up, and they keep reaching out.  Peacebuilders know a trusting relationship is critical in transforming a youth’s life.  Once trust is built, honest conversations can happen.  The conversations are often difficult and uncomfortable; young people become aware of their actions; their thinking is challenged.

We use a form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) to teach life-saving skills. CBT is a way to understand how situations affect how we think, feel, and respond. Practicing CBT helps our young people identify a negative cycle, stop, and use a learned skill to make a positive choice instead of reacting impulsively.