Two Dwight Hall at Yale service programs received statewide recognition for their community service activities by the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.
Peace by Peace (Playful Exploration in Active Conflict Education) at Yale and Yale Children's Theater (YCT), two of the three service programs nominated by President Richard C. Levin, received Connecticut Higher Education Community Service Awards in a ceremony on April 13 at the Connecticut State Capitol. The two groups were among 19 college service groups nominated by the presidents of 10 colleges and universities, and received two of the three awards in the student group category.
Each of the award recipients, Peace by Peace student coordinators Daniel Norland '02 and Jessica Mangual '02 and Yale Children's Theater coordinators Katrina Kimport '00 and Sara Coppeto '01, received $500 to donate to a service program of their choice.
In selecting the winners, the awards committee considered activities and projects which included one or more of the following accomplishments: groups that were able to accomplish a clearly defined project which has aided individuals or groups in the community or has aided environmental causes; development of a unique or original approach to effective community service; educational or organizational activities that have substantially increased student participation in community service; development of projects that have promoted diversity or pluralism in the community; development and implementation of projects that address any number of pressing urban problems included in the areas of education, health care or community revitalization.
Peace by Peace, formerly known as Peace Games at Yale, is an undergraduate organization that seeks to educate young students about the power of cooperation and non-violent conflict resolution. At present there are 23 volunteers teaching about 200 students in 10 classrooms at Hamden, Fair Haven and Jackie Robinson Middle Schools. The Peace by Peace program culminates in an April festival where students are bused to the Yale campus to play games and share their new-found skills.
"Everyone who volunteers with Peace by Peace loves it. They are forever grateful for their chance to help middle school students realize the importance of peace in this fragile little world," wrote the Department of Higher Education in their announcement of the award winners. "The group's most immediate goal is to help address the serious problem of violence in schools. The members hope to impress upon students the need to respect others and the significance of doing their best to make the world a better place."
Yale Children's Theater (YCT) is an undergraduate organization which uses theater as a means to inspire creative expression. The group's mission is to share the joy and the lessons of theater with both the youth of New Haven and the students of Yale through community outreach programs. This includes productions of popular children's books and original works by undergraduates, playwriting workshops and contests for children of all ages, and weekly workshops of improvisational creativity games.
"Their creativity, energy and dedication distinguish them as a community service group. Their willingness to participate with, and indeed learn from, the children through their exposure to the creative arts is unique among service groups," wrote the Department of Higher Education. "Yale Children's Theater's hope is that members and the participating youth will gain valuable tools through viewing and participating in theater. Participation in this emotional outlet teaches skills such as oral communication, physical communication, cooperation, creative problem solving and self-confidence."
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