Together Towards Peace Kickoff: Building Connections and Inspiring Change
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Together Towards Peace (TTP) brings high school students from across Chicago together to tackle one of the most challenging issues facing our communities: gun violence. What makes it truly special is how it connects young people from four different communities — Albany Park, North Lawndale, South Chicago, and Highland Park — places that don’t often have the chance to come together in a city as divided as Chicago.
This kickoff was the first of five gatherings, setting the stage for months of learning, connection, and collaboration. Students shared their values, explored what drives them, and found common ground through active learning and shared experiences. It was a powerful first step toward building relationships, breaking down barriers, and imagining a future where their voices matter.
A Warm Welcome: Building Community from the Start
The morning began quietly as a few early arrivals trickled into the room. Slowly but surely, the space filled with laughter and casual conversations. The warmth of the Together Towards Peace facilitators created an immediate sense of belonging. By the time the event began, the room buzzed with energy, full of smiling faces and new connections forming.
Setting the Intention
Tere, a healing justice facilitator from Praxis, opened the day with a powerful moment of reflection. A brief silence and breathing exercises grounded the group, helping to ease tension and focus everyone’s energy.
“You are visible here. In a city like this, we’re all just trying to get by,” Tere reminded the group. “Your voices are everything… you hear me? EVERYTHING.”
This wasn’t just about feeling good in the moment. It was a reminder that in a world that often dismisses or silences young people — their voices carry power and weight.
The morning unfolded with a mix of energizing activities and deep conversations. Students started with light-hearted challenges designed to help them loosen up and get comfortable. At first, the room felt a little tense — you could feel that nervous energy hanging in the air. But as students started to share, it was like a collective exhale. The energy shifted, and the space felt lighter, more open. As the activities progressed, laughter filled the space and what started as hesitation turned into connection. By the end, most participants were fully engaged, moving around the room, singing, celebrating small victories, and gaining confidence with each challenge.
The shift to more reflective activities came naturally. One of the first exercises invited students to explore what peace meant to them. The room transformed into a supportive space where every answer was met with applause or cheers of agreement.
“Peace doesn’t mean everything is perfect,” one youth participant shared. “It means we’re building something better together.”
Values & Community Agreements
After the energizer activity, participants reflected on their personal values and created community agreements. The personal values and community agreements activity was a crucial step in shaping how participants would engage with one another. It gave students space to reflect on what matters most to them individually and as a group, helping to create shared expectations for how they’d move through the program together. One youth participant captured it perfectly: “Consciousness — we need to be aware of everyone in the space. Our energy can influence each other for the greater good.” They reminded the group that shared values help keep everyone aligned toward the same goal.
Another participant added, “You gotta be understanding. Just because you don’t want to do something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. If that’s the case, why are you here?” They were talking about the importance of doing what’s right, even when it’s hard — pushing through discomfort and staying motivated to create real change. These agreements became the foundation for a supportive, accountable community — one that encouraged both personal growth and collective responsibility.
Learning from the Past: History of Youth-Led Movements
In the afternoon, students took a closer look at the history of youth-led movements — proof that young people have always been at the forefront of change. They learned about the Civil Rights Movement, The Black Panthers, Dreamers, Fridays for Future (climate change), the birth of Hip Hop, and March for Our Lives. These examples showed how youth have consistently stepped up to challenge the status quo, using their voices and actions to spark real change. The conversation focused on the strategies that made these movements effective and how students could draw from those lessons for their own projects.
That momentum carried right into the mural gallery walk, where students used art to turn their ideas into action. Art, especially murals, has long been a powerful tool for activism, allowing communities — particularly youth — to express their voices, share their stories, and advocate for change in ways that words alone cannot.
In small groups, participants designed murals that reflected their stories, struggles, and hopes for the future. Some jumped right in, while others took a little longer to get their ideas flowing.
By the end, the walls were filled with bold images and powerful slogans. As they walked through the gallery, students explained the meaning behind their murals, sharing what inspired them. It was clear how much thought and heart went into each piece — each mural a creative expression of their vision for change.
Looking Forward: What’s Next
As the day wrapped up, it was clear that something special had taken root. The students brought light, energy, and a sense of possibility to a world that often feels heavy.
In the next session, they will explore storytelling through The Story of Self, learn how to frame arguments with Points and Counterpoints and participate in a healing circle. They’ll also begin thinking about their final projects — big ideas that reflect what matters most to them and the changes they want to create. If this first session was any sign, the group is just getting started — laying the foundation for something much bigger ahead.
