M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence
Dear Friend,
Physical and systemic violence critically endanger the livelihoods of communities across Rochester and the world. At the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, we translate nonviolence and restorative justice into programs that directly impact thousands of Rochester youth and adults by teaching and modeling skills necessary to transform conflict. We’re asking you to invest in our community and support this work.
In the 2016 fiscal year, the Gandhi Institute worked with 985 Rochester City School District students, facilitated 1,957 restorative conversations to address student conflict, and served 3,412 community members through nonviolence workshops and other events. Your monthly contribution or one-time gift will support the following programs:
- RCSD School Climate Transformation: The Institute partners with five Rochester city schools to create positive school climates for students, teachers, administrators, and parents. We serve on the front lines in conflict transformation processes to dismantle the school-to-prison pipeline.
- Workshops: At the Gandhi House and offsite, we offer workshops on nonviolence, transformative leadership, and conflict resolution to groups of all kinds on a donation basis.
- The Gandhi Service Fellowship Program: This year-long program gives college students training, mentorship, and budgetary support to design and implement their own projects.
- Summer Youth Facilitation Institute (SYFI): SYFI prepares high school students to be peacemakers through a paid summer apprenticeship.
These accomplishments have transformed the lives of people like 16-year-old Shanell, who through her summer job at the Gandhi Institute found a passion for teaching children nonviolence.
“From the first day to the very last, I feel like I had an amazing bond with every child I worked with. I’m very grateful that I got a chance to be a part of that program and I hope every kid I spoke to at Freedom School left there with a new sense of nonviolence and how to better themselves and their communities.”
Our ability to help people like Shanell is only possible because we receive financial support from so many wonderful people just like you.
Will you join us and make a gift today? Your gift will directly enable the Gandhi Institute to answer the needs of our community when it needs us most.
In peace and hope,
Kit Miller, Director