The 2017/18 Peace Builders

                                     Anthony Green
  • College student, Speaking Peace Assistant Instructor
  • Community: North Lawndale
  • Sponsor: UCAN
  • "This is an awesome opportunity for me to continue to grow as a peace leader, to enhance my strengths and develop ways to turn my weaknesses into strengths.
                                    Juwan McClain
  • Freshman at University of Illinois, Champaign
  • Community: North Lawndale
  • Sponsor: DRW College Prep
  • "I am applying to participate in the Peace Exchange because I want to be able to help reduce the violence in my communities. I want to apply what I learn through the Peace Exchange program to real world problems."
                                 Jailene Valenzuela
  • Freshman at DePauw University
  • Community: Cicero
  • Sponsor: Josephinum Academy of the Sacred Heart
  • "I have many goals as a peace leader, which include: developing a better understanding of how others handle violence and being aware of the things that we can learn from other people and cultures, finding creative solutions in order to achieve peace, teaching others about alternatives to violence, bringing comfort to others so as to make sure that they are not living in constant fear within their communities, and inspiring and empowering others through the work that we do as the Peace Exchange."
                                  Jaylen McBride
  • Freshman at Wartburg College
  • Community: East Garfield Park
  • Sponsor: Holy Family Ministries
  • "As a peace builder and leader, I hope to set an example that will change how others think and eventually cause them to follow. I want to stop the violence in my community and I want to change how others think of violence."
                                Jennifer Resendiz
  • Freshman at University of Illinois, Champaign
  • Community: Cicero
  • Sponsor: Golder College Prep
  • "The Peace Exchange program appeals to me because it will help me start my goals for my future career. Out of all the careers and activities that I want to do, my biggest goal is travel around the world helping others."