The World needs Heroes
Here are a few...
All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace.
2020-2021 Peace Heroes
Dr. Bernie Siegel
National Peace Hero 2020-2021
Dr. Bernie Siegel is a pioneer in the field of holistic medicine and a 2020 Peace Hero. Dr. Siegel is an American writer and retired pediatric surgeon who authored Peace, Love & Healing in 1989. He followed this calling to medicine because of his strong faith in God and because he likes people. Bernie attended Colgate University and Cornell University Medical College. His surgical training took place at Yale-New Haven Hospital, West Haven Veterans Hospital, and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. With a depth of humor and profound wisdom, Bernie inspires us to change our way of thinking and focus more on our peace and wellness than our illness.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Chris and Jackie Doucot
Peace Heroes 2020-2021
Chris and Jackie Doucot, 2020 Peace Heroes, have served people in an economically poor, culturally diverse area in the north end of Hartford. Co-founders of the Hartford Catholic Worker community commonly referred to as the “Green House", work to facilitate the building of a community that transcends generational, gender, racial, geographical, and class barriers. It also houses homeless persons, feeds hungry persons, and works with children to keep them in school and out of gangs.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Ryan T. Parker
Peace Hero 2020-2021
Ryan T. Parker is a Manchester-based poet, teacher of the year recipient, and a 2020 Peace Hero. Raised by a strong, single mother in Norwich, Connecticut, he has been penning poems and preaching peace since the age of ten. When asked what drives his purpose, Ryan emphatically explained, “to be the best son that I can be, the best father, husband, friend, …neighbor.” Ryan continued by sharing that he has a passion for trying to do better and be better.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
James Millan Dugan
Peace Hero 2020-2021
James Millan Dugan, a lifelong peace activist, and 2020 Peace Hero is the Manager for the World Peace Sanctuary, headquarters of "May Peace Prevail on Earth International". Jim works every day to make this world a better place. Besides the management of the 150-acre Peace Sanctuary, Jim constructs thousands of different-sized Peace Poles each year for individuals and organizations across the planet. Through the Peace Pole Project, he has partnered with Trees for the Future and has been responsible for planting over 34,000 trees on the African continent.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Scarlett Lewis
Peace Hero 2020-2021
Scarlett Lewis is a mother, an artist, an avid horsewoman, an activist for peace, and a 2020 Peace Hero. She is the founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation, created in honor of her son who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December 2012.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
2019 Peace Heroes
Cassie Volcy
Peace Hero 2019
Ms. Volcy administers Hang Time and Her Time programming, an all-volunteer effort in New Haven, Bridgeport and Waterbury to assist returning citizens as they make the adjustment to civilian life after prison.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Irene Kish
Peace Hero 2019
Ms. Kish, a licensed foster and adoptive parent for the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families, has provided compassionate and selfless care to over 107 foster children over the past 22 years.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Neha Jonnakota
Peace Hero 2019
Miss Jonnakota is a high school student in Glastonbury, CT who co-founded Power of Peace to help support youth around the world. She has raised over $130,000 for her non-profit.Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Sixto Cancel
Peace Hero 2019
As one of the creators of the #HACKFOSTERCARE movement, Sixto Cancel has amplified national conversations around data in child welfare, assembled stakeholders from diverse disciplines and delivered concrete results for the field.
2018 Peace Heroes
King Obayiga Marley
Peace Hero 2018
At just 25 years of age this young HERO started a project that has steadily turned in to a movement in the city of Bridgeport CT. The RALLY in PEACE Project is slated to grow under his creative mind and commitment to Peace. Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Pat Niesyn
Peace Hero 2018
On International Women's Day we took great pride in introducing you to a woman who's kind gesture in her community of East Hartford, CT has allowed for many to search for Peace, reflect on how they can bring more Peace to the world/community and to share their desires for Peace. Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Deacon Arthur Miller
Peace Hero 2018
His energy, compassion, and unwavering commitment to enriching the lives of others makes him more than just a role model. It makes him a leader. Meet Deacon Arthur Miller. A Hero to many and an inspiration to countless. Photo by: JCV Freelance Photography LLC
Our National Peace Heroes 2018
Pardeep Kaleka and Arno Michaelis
Our two Keynote Presenters, joined together by an unspeakable tragedy, are certain to inspire because of their unlikely friendship and gift of forgiveness.
They speak about tolerance, hate and its dangers, and the dramatic impact that kindness can have on one another. This journey is captured in their newly written book, "The Gift of Wounds".