Our
Mission
Engaging in Partnerships to Build Action for Achieving Peace in OUR Communities.
Our
Vision
We envision a Connecticut where differences are respected, conflicts are resolved peacefully and violence is not tolerated. The Peace Center will be the force multiplier in the peace community, maximizing the power, effectiveness and efficiency of our member organizations. We strive to be the iconic symbol of peace in the community.
Background
The Peace Center vision started off in 2015 with of all things, the Batman signal. As many of you know once that signal is illuminated it brings someone to help, inspires hope and sets in to action something that will make things better. That was the dream of the Peace Center of Connecticut Founder Iran Nazario.
Iran envisioned a place where people came together in a neutral location that would become the centralized hub for all Peace efforts across our state. A space where differences are respected, conflicts are resolved peacefully and violence is not tolerated. A space where our collective impact can change the course of our communities and develop partnerships for more peaceful communities.
In 2017, the Peace Center was incorporated, was granted its not for profit status and began taking action towards achieving it's mission.
Special Thanks to the members of the Peace in Connecticut Coalition for helping to bring the Peace Center of Connecticut to fruition
Our Progress
The first year of the Peace Center of Connecticut focused on building the foundation of the organization. Our mission and vison were created. Our logo and tag line were adopted. By-laws and policies were finalized. A board was established to lead the development of the organization along with the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Iran Nazario. Our program offerings were established.
The project’s key ally is the Corporation for Independent Living (CIL). CIL has provided The Peace Center start-up space at 157 Charter Oak Ave in Hartford.
Our first Celebrating Our Peace Heroes Event was held in April 2018. Three Connecticut residents who quietly worked for peace in their spheres of influence were identified along with two national peace heroes. You can read more about our Heroes and the event on our Peace Heroes tab.
In 2019 we increased our partnerships, successfully applied for and were awarded several grants to support our programs and services, and established our Peace Heroes Legacy Hall space at the Peace Center.
In 2020 we expanded our offerings that include our four pillars to achieving Peace. Our Pillars to Peace are Development, Awareness, Resources, & Engagement. See our offerings page for more details.
Organizational
Values
1. All human beings have a right to live in a safe and peaceful environment, free of fear and threats of violence or aggression, and that our current state of "normalized violence" is both destructive to our society and unacceptable;
2. Peace, non-violence, constructive conflict resolution, conditions and behaviors can be taught, modeled, encouraged and developed. Violence and conflict are NOT "natural or inevitable" states of our society;
3. Symbols, physical structures and objects are important signs and reminders in our society of impactful themes and messages;
4. Collective impact and systems thinking is necessary to address the core societal issues - no single approach, perspective or lever is sufficient by itself in our complex society. We need to leverage and coordinate multiple forces to effect change and have a true positive impact;
5. We aim to be an outcomes-driven organization that is evidence-based and will continually measure and improve our programming to maximize our impact.
Our Future
We continue to work towards the vision of an established center for peace which will be located in Hartford. This Center will house a Legacy Hall envisioned as an educational center for residents, including school children, to learn about peace efforts and how they can become peace heroes in their communities.
It will provide space for peace programs to call home in order to build strong collaboration across the state. It will have meeting and training space to provide high quality training in peace. It will be the hub for youth to build leadership towards peace.
