Jennifer Weakland
A Peacebuilder, Quaker Dedicated to Community, Relationships and Human Rights Advocacy
Stories of Key Peace & Justice Work
Jennifer has always been a people person, working with many people and guiding them whenever they required assistance. She is clearly bringing strong interpersonal skills to help out in the nonprofit field.
As of now, Jennifer is the Prison Justice Organizing Intern for On Earth Peace. Some of her other key commitments included serving as a Crew Leader mentoring four different girl crews for Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps. She also worked for the Patrick Henry YMCA- Aquatics Division, where she worked as a swim instructor. At Bridgewater College, she worked at the Kline-Bowman Institute for Creative Peace Building as a student advisory board member involved in the process of creating peace oriented events and activities for students.
Read Jennifer's stories at the key organizations she has been a part of:
Read Jennifer's stories at other organizations she has been a part of:
For additional information about Jennifer's work, follow her social media outlets and how On Earth Peace has impacted her work.
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Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps
Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps provides a three week experience to youth between the ages of fourteen and seventeen to live and complete volunteer work in Virginia State Parks with ten other girls or boys. This experience cultivates group working skills, group living skills, trustworthy relationships, and a chance to be independent outside of the home for youth. As part of the corps, Jennifer was the crew leader for four different girls crews. The role was not limited to simply leading a group- she had to be a mentor, friend, and parent to the girls, helping them stay motivated to complete their work while nurturing their emotional health as well. She was also responsible for creating a grocery budget and managing the state credit card, as well as being a communication liaison between her group and the park staff.
Follow Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps's progress and work:
Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps's Website
Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps's Facebook
Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps's Twitter
Virginia State Parks Youth Conservation Corps's Instagram
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Patrick Henry YMCA- Aquatics Division
The Patrick Henry YMCA- Aquatics Divison provides a safe swimming environment for local patrons as well as providing swimming lessons and swimming safety instruction for patrons of all ages. Jennifer was responsible for lifeguarding the pool either as a team with other lifeguards or by herself, depending on the shift. Furthermore, she taught swimming lessons to students as young as 6 months and as old as eighty in groups of up to ten students, making sure they were able to learn safely while cultivating their swimming skills.
Follow Patrick Henry YMCA- Aquatics Divison's progress and work:
Patrick Henry YMCA- Aquatics Divison's Website
Patrick Henry YMCA- Aquatics Divison's Facebook
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On Earth Peace
On Earth Peace focuses on supporting people who are working for justice and peace, helping them to develop as leaders in their communities. Jennifer's primary role has centered on community engagement, which involves outreach to group members. She does so by engaging group members in one-on-one calls and group discussions of prison justice issues, ultimately helping to spread educational information concerning prison justice issues. Furthermore, Jennifer is in the process of designing a prison justice t-shirt. Outside of the On Earth Peace framework, she is also connecting with other prison justice organizations to learn about their work and any volunteer opportunities they have for my group members and helping to educate other people working in the field of prison justice about upholding the principles of Kingian Nonviolence.
Follow On Earth Peace's progress and work:
On Earth Peace's Website
On Earth Peace's Facebook
On Earth Peace's Twitter
On Earth Peace's Instagram
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On Earth Peace's Impact on Jennifer
“I came to OEP seeking a justice-focused internship given my interests in human rights advocacy and peaceful conflict resolution. Previously, I was aware of the struggles facing the justice system in America. However, after becoming the Prison Justice Organizing Intern for OEP, I discovered the depth of the human rights abuses carried out by the justice system in the US. Working with my group has shown me the valuable power of community-building through hearing the different insights of my group members and their experiences as practitioners of prison justice.”
-- Jennifer Weakland
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Where To Follow Jennifer
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Add Your Support
We invite you to add On Earth Peace to the mix of causes you support for justice and peace. We hope OEP's contribution to the work of this inspiring leader shows you how much impact your added investment can make.
