NY Peace Week 2012: January 15 – 22, 2012

January 15 – 22, 2012 marks the 3rd annual NY Peace Week, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s legacy of non-violence. Organized by LIFE Camp, Inc., the collective goal is to create a culture of peace throughout NYC for 7 days by hosting an event, performing an activity or simply taking one personal action toward creating inner peace and setting a positive example for youth.

2012 NY Peace Week’s theme and messaging is: #PeaceIsALIFEStyle. Youth and celebrity ambassadors will blog, tweet and post user generated content for 7 days, sharing experiences that reinforce this year’s theme and messaging.

1 Voice.

Peace Week galvanizes the efforts of entertainers, cultural icons, government leaders, educators, athletes and community based organizations to host an event or lend their voice to the message of peace. Confirmed NY Peace Week celebrity ambassadors include: Russell Simmons, Deepak Chopra, Michael Strahan, Cheryl “Salt” Wray, and more!

1.5 Million NYC Teens & Young Adults

NY Peace Week targets 18 -25 year old tech-savvy, socially active teens, college students and young adults throughout the NY Tri-State Area who are influenced by pop culture and multi-media. Via events and digital platforms, NY Peace Week will also encourage peer leadership and role modeling among this demo, for youth under age 18 who are looking to them for examples.

Erica Ford – Founder

Erica Ford is widely respected as one of the most diligent and hard working activists of her generation. Always on a mission, she is uncompromisingly dedicated to improving of the lives of Black and Latino youth and of the community-at-large. Her current service is centered on LIFE Camp, a youth-based nonprofit organization that she co-founded in 2002. Ms. Ford’s life long activism, however, began years prior and has taken her all over the world. Of her years of service, Erica offers this perspective: “This is not a job this is my LIFE, my undying love keeps me committed to my people until my glory day takes me away.”

Why Peace Week?

Homicide is the leading cause of death among NYC youth. One in ten NYC teens report not going to school because of feeling unsafe at school or on their way to school. Many NYC youth are measuring their lives in 2 – 5 year cycles, not believing that they will survive beyond the next 5 years. Proceeds from funds raised during NY Peace week will go toward summer programs and activities for NYC youth, to provide positive alternatives to youth violence and other forms of negative behavior.

Source: http://nypeaceweek.com