Building BRIDGES
U of M students to mentor various youth at PeaceJam
By: Jasmine Hockett
Issue date: 2/10/10 Section: News
More than 30 University of Memphis students are mentoring 300 kids from more than three states next weekend at the PeaceJam conference, sponsored by the local non-profit organization, BRIDGES. The decade old event will feature Nobel Peace Prize winner and Iranian activist, Sharin Ebadi.
Antonias Hawkins, second year volunteer, said the conference is a way to bring children from different backgrounds together.
"It is an opportunity to learn the other side of things," Hawkins said.
Feb. 19 at 4 p.m., Ebadi will speak to the general public and U of M students in the Michael D. Rose Theatre. The conference will kickoff on Feb. 20 and 21 at Rhodes College.
BRIDGES staff volunteer Zach Nahmias said this year's conference, themed "Human Security," was planned to zone in on making sure that every individual has what they need to be healthy.
The two-day event is open to high school students for a $75 fee. Nahmias said he understood many students may have trouble paying, but scholarships are available.
"We go so far as Kentucky to provide experiences for students," said Nahmias. "We have some students who can't even afford lunch, but it's inspiring when you see the kids all come together."
Seven regions in the United States host PeaceJam conferences, with $40,000 devoted to the Mid-South Conference alone.
"To host a conference like this, you have to show you can handle it," said Dana Wilson, Program Director of BRIDGES PeaceJam.
Nahmias, a University of Memphis alumnus, said he began recruiting students for the conference last August.
Volunteers from Rhodes College and Christian Brothers University help staff the event while The U of M's Student Activities Council is responsible for funding the Nobel Laureate as a public speaker. The laureate then volunteers his or her time to work with high school students during the conference.
"The laureate we had last year, Jody Williams, was really phenomenal and she really connected with the youth of Memphis and the students who came down from Nashville," said sophomore Xavier Jones. "This year, I'm sure the impact will be different."
Jones said the laureates inspire everyone to become active in whatever they are facing in the community. Students are encouraged to review and address the problems of their community.
"Its all about getting involved and inspired," Jones said. "We just served as mentors, but actually making a difference in the students' lives was really beneficial and inspiring."
Antonias Hawkins, second year volunteer, said the conference is a way to bring children from different backgrounds together.
"It is an opportunity to learn the other side of things," Hawkins said.
Feb. 19 at 4 p.m., Ebadi will speak to the general public and U of M students in the Michael D. Rose Theatre. The conference will kickoff on Feb. 20 and 21 at Rhodes College.
BRIDGES staff volunteer Zach Nahmias said this year's conference, themed "Human Security," was planned to zone in on making sure that every individual has what they need to be healthy.
The two-day event is open to high school students for a $75 fee. Nahmias said he understood many students may have trouble paying, but scholarships are available.
"We go so far as Kentucky to provide experiences for students," said Nahmias. "We have some students who can't even afford lunch, but it's inspiring when you see the kids all come together."
Seven regions in the United States host PeaceJam conferences, with $40,000 devoted to the Mid-South Conference alone.
"To host a conference like this, you have to show you can handle it," said Dana Wilson, Program Director of BRIDGES PeaceJam.
Nahmias, a University of Memphis alumnus, said he began recruiting students for the conference last August.
Volunteers from Rhodes College and Christian Brothers University help staff the event while The U of M's Student Activities Council is responsible for funding the Nobel Laureate as a public speaker. The laureate then volunteers his or her time to work with high school students during the conference.
"The laureate we had last year, Jody Williams, was really phenomenal and she really connected with the youth of Memphis and the students who came down from Nashville," said sophomore Xavier Jones. "This year, I'm sure the impact will be different."
Jones said the laureates inspire everyone to become active in whatever they are facing in the community. Students are encouraged to review and address the problems of their community.
"Its all about getting involved and inspired," Jones said. "We just served as mentors, but actually making a difference in the students' lives was really beneficial and inspiring."