On Earth Peace held its fall board meetings expressing gratitude for the excellent leadership being provided by its interim executive staff and interns, and an improving relationship with the Church of the Brethren.  The online meetings were held on October 6 and 8 with a follow up meeting held on December 10.

The meetings reflected the hard work of positive organizational transformation.  Since the fall of 2021, the staff and board have been experimenting with less hierarchical structures for staffing and governance in alignment with anti-oppression values.  Development and financial practices are being prioritized to strengthen and develop the capacity of the organization as it fulfills its mission to develop and walk with leaders working for justice and peace.

Annabell Knapp currently serves as our Kingian Nonviolence Fellow, but previously served as our Palestine Justice Intern. She reflects on On Earth Peace's impact in her life during her internship and fellowship. Annabell is a graduate of Bridgewater College (VA) and has recently finished her MA in politics, development and the Global South at Goldsmiths, University of London. She is starting her PhD in politics where she is researching decolonization, development and NGOs. Annabell plans to continue her work with grassroots activists in the Global South working in nonviolent movements. 

What would you like people to know about OEP and yourself?

OEP has been an amazing organization the grow and learn more about the nonviolence, social justice and about the field! I am so happy to work with OEP and with all the wonderful staff and other interns too!

Marie Benner-Rhoades, Youth and Young Adult Peace Formation Director

"I am thankful for opportunities for my daughter to connect with children and leaders around the world as she discovers her passion for peace and justice.  The On Earth Performers Drama Club has been a highlight of our fall!  She has enjoyed meeting children from Palestine and the US.  I've appreciated the opportunity for her to participate in a dual language program (Arabic and English) and the creative exploration of peacemaking across cultures."

Devin Dixon-Rosario serves as LGBTQ+ Justice Organizer intern. He reflects on On Earth Peace's impact in his life during his internship.

Why are you drawn/applied to On Earth Peace?

On Earth Peace is the most inclusive- most justice-driven group that I have ever been associated with. OEP gives young adults a platform for authentic and radical autonomy.

Part of my initiatives as an OEP Migrant Justice Organizer intern has been to familiarize people with conditions at the southern border and to possibly encourage others to visit and volunteer there personally. A friend recently returned from a weeklong trip to help one of the most active volunteer groups and shared her reflections with me below:

Reflections by Risa Paskoff, Lisa Rohde, and Joanne Berkowitz of Lancaster, PA

At the present time, many of us are facing a variety of challenges, personally as well as within our own communities and then on a larger scale, within our state and our country.

Experiencing stress and uncertainty are common and frequent emotions for a number of people. Given these possible challenges, for most of us, our basic needs are most likely being met. We have a roof over our heads, clothing, and food in our homes or access to meals at various houses of worship and/or non-profit organizations on an ongoing basis.  We live in an area that is relatively safe and for the most part, we are not afraid of driving down a certain street or walking through a specific neighborhood.

For those who are living either in Mexico or recently crossed the Texas/Mexico border, this is not the case.  People of all ages are experiencing food insecurity as well as not having their basic needs met.  If they have crossed the border, they may only have the clothes that they are wearing.  Their shoes might just be flip flops which will not be suitable once the cold weather arrives, especially for those who will be traveling north to their sponsors.  Women express a need for feminine products as well as diapers and wipes for their young children. Men ask for underwear and a belt as their belts were taken away at the detention center by border patrol agents, for “fear they might hurt themselves.” On my recent trip to the border one little boy was given a blue sweatshirt and he was so excited as it matched his only pair of sweatpants. As he left us, he gave each of the volunteers a high five. A sweatshirt that many of us take for granted and many of us have more than one.