Our Mission At Little Friends For Peace
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LFFP proudly partners with many organizations around the DC metropolitan area. From churches to schools to other non-profits, LFFP is happy to build relationships with organizations that share our dedication to interrupting violence and creating a culture of peace. Together, we can transform our world. |
Meet Our Founders |
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MJ and Jerry Park are peace educators with more than 35 years of experience leading year-round programs for children and adults. They founded Little Friends For Peace in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1981. MJ and Jerry brought peace-building to the D.C. Metropolitan Area after relocating their family to Mount Rainier, Maryland, in 1988. In 1999, Little Friends For Peace became a founding organization of the community-initiated Perry School Community Services Center by establishing a Peace Room for the Youth Development Department and the Sursum Corda neighborhood. Since then, they have brought their peace curriculum as far as China and El Salvador. The Parks are proud parents of 6 children. In both raising their family and in their work, they believe that peace is a way of life. In July 2006, LFFP was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit, and it continues to operate through dedicated, individual donor support.
The Little Friends for Peace curriculum is based on the philosophy that peace begins with you. When we find the peace inside each one of us, we can all become peacemakers and spread peace to our communities, our countries, and the world.
- MJ Park
In LFFP Community News!
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In recent news from the organization, one of our members created a beautiful quilt and showcased her work at one of our peace circles. Moments like these remind us of the impact and joy that community and peace can bring!
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Awards & Accolades
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JAMS Foundation & The Association for Conflict Resolution
LFFP and Action in Montgomery County (AIM) were awarded a grant to support their 2-year joint project, In the Shelter of Each Other: From Personal Wellness to Empowered Community. This project centers on two adjoining elementary schools in Montgomery County, Maryland: St. Francis International School and JoAnn Leleck School. Both schools serve highly diverse populations, including a high percentage of immigrants, and about 10% of the students are African American. The most common environmental condition to the students at both schools is trauma. The proposed project will implement conflict resolution learning and practice through services and opportunities provided to teachers, staff, parents, students, and the surrounding community. The goal is to meet urgent needs identified by community members, including gang violence prevention and safe spaces for children. |
Saint Francis International School
MJ and Jerry Park and were recognized on May 11, 2016, for their work in partnership with Saint Francis International School. Msgr. John Enzler and Deacon Jim Shanahan from Catholic Charities DC celebrated the Innovations in Catholic Education Award from Today's Catholic Teacher magazine, and the school's peacemaking project that was the focus of the award. During Mass, Fr. Jacek Orzechowski, O.F.M., explained the importance of peacemaking in the message of Jesus and the central role that peacemaking plays in the Franciscan tradition. Franciscan Mission Service 35th Anniversary Honorees
Honoring MJ and Jerry Park who have exemplified the mission of FMS through the lives they lead and the inspiration they are as pillars in the peace and justice community in DC. The organization they founded, Little Friends for Peace, was one of FMS' first site partners when DC Service Corps began 10 years ago, and they are still a partner today. |
Read Our Flyer!
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Our Publications & LFFP Tool Cards
Live Peace, Teach Peace: Best Practices and Tools
MJ and Jerry Park $25.00 Available in English and Spanish. For more information, email MJ Park at [email protected] |
LFFP Tool Cards $2.00-$20.00 Looking for a way to keep your peace tools with you on-the-go? Shop our new collection of Peace Tool Cards! |
Board of Directors
Thomas Park
Timothy Welch
Jason Powell
Susan Gunn
Mary Liepold, PhD
Timothy Welch
Jason Powell
Susan Gunn
Mary Liepold, PhD