Equipping Junior Peacemakers with the Skills to Lead

The 2026 Summer Youth Peace Academy embodies what it means to create safety, belonging, and opportunity for young people in a summer where almost every other resource disappeared. Working with 22 youth ages 14–17, Peace For DC delivered a full Junior Peacemaker curriculum: Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, Conflict Mediation, Financial Literacy, Conflict Resolution, and Professional Development, as part of DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program. Youth are designed and presented Capstone Projects, demonstrating leadership, creativity, and a growing sense of civic responsibility.

This summer unfolded against a backdrop of severe citywide budget cuts that dramatically reduced violence‑intervention and prevention programming across the city including neighborhoods like Benning Terrace, where our Youth Academy took place. For many participants, the Academy was the only structured, positive, and safe space available. Despite constraints, youth engagement remained very strong, and participants consistently described the Academy as a place where they felt supported, challenged, and connected.

 The 2026 DC Summer Youth Peace Academy may be over, but the skills and knowledge our students gained- like cognitive behavioral intervention, restorative justice, conflict mediation, and peace circles- are just beginning to make an impact! We're excited for them as they embark on a new school year, ready to apply what they've learned and continue building more peaceful communities.