Dear <<First Name>>,

• Welcome our 2022 Goldin #GlobalFellows
• Share an update of the #ChicagoPeaceFellows Annual Peace Music Festival
• Provide an insight into volunteering efforts in Bangsamoro from Lo Ivan, our Global Fellow in the Philippines 
• Announce the Chicago Peace Fellows #OurBloodMatters campaign 
• Invite applications for the 2022 Global Fellows Program for Spanish speakers (deadline 11:59pm CT 1st July)

Meet the 2022 Goldin Global Fellows!

We are delighted to announce and introduce the 2022 cohort of the Goldin #GlobalFellows! This year's cohort brings together 14 grassroots leaders from across the globe, including Côte d'Ivoire, Albania, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. This diverse group will learn and work together as a Community of Practice, building on the talents of their neighbors and the assets of their communities to make real and lasting change around the world.

The 2022 Goldin Global Fellows is the third international cohort to utilize the GATHER platform, an online learning hub built by the Goldin Institute to empower grassroots leaders. They will engage in a 20-week course of intensive shared learning as well as group projects, culminating in a graduation event in November 2022. The curriculum has been designed and refined in collaboration with Fellows from previous cohorts, based on their practical knowledge and hard earned wisdom, with input from a wide range of civic leaders. We are extremely excited to work our 2022 cohort over the next 6 months!

 “The diversity of backgrounds of the 14 Fellows, as well as their unique talents and commitment to make progress within their communities, inspires hope for a shared future. I am excited to share their wisdom with the world as we commence our learning journey."
- Yusuph Masanja, Facilitator of the 2022 Global Fellows Program

Chicago Peace Fellows hold second Concert for Peace Music Festival

Featuring the Chicago Peace Fellows Mutual Aid Collaborative

The Chicago Peace Fellows held a Concert for Peace on June 4th, celebrating the artistic accomplishments of their communities and a shared commitment to improving their neighborhoods. The Second Annual Chicago Peace Fellows Music Festival was held at the Hatchery in Garfield Park with Peace Fellows gathering performers from across the city to play music, sing songs, read poetry, and dance. The Music Festival was organized by a committee within the Peace Fellows Mutual Aid Collaborative, a group of 60 Black and Brown leaders and committed allies who live and work in the communities they serve on the South and West sides.

 “The theme of peace was emphasized throughout the Festival as performers and organizers spoke to the importance of arts education, mutual aid, and community activism."

Volunteering: the Key to Peace in Bangsamoro in the Philippines

By Lo Ivan Castillon, Global Fellow from The Philippines

There is a strong relationship between peace building and the role of volunteerism in the promotion of social cohesion, reconciliation, civic engagement, and the development of local human capacities. Volunteerism generates forms of social capital that are indispensable to peacebuilding, and it plays an important role in aiding the development of citizens capacities. While every post-conflict situation is unique, volunteerism is known to help regenerate certain fractured or absent dynamics that the processes of reconstruction and reconciliation typically aim to address.

 “Volunteerism is embedded in the Philippines, as voluntary activities have been carried out for centuries. Bayanihan is the traditional term for volunteerism in the Philippines."
- Lo Ivan Castillon, Global Fellow from The Philippines

Safety Net Launches Blood Drive

Featuring the Chicago Peace Fellows Mutual Aid Collaborative (Safety Net project)

Chicago Peace Fellows are working to address an increased demand for blood from Black and Brown donors through holding a Mutual Aid Collaborative Blood Drive. The Safety Net project was started by the Peace Fellows Mutual Aid Collaborative at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Blood Drive is their latest project. More Black and Brown donors are needed in the United States because of a rise in demand for some rare blood types that are more common in people of Black heritage. This demand for blood is expected to increase even more during the summer, due to the increase of accidents such as car crashes and fireworks, as well as spikes in cycles of gun violence. The Safety Net team’s blood drive campaign also seeks to dismiss myths about giving blood.

"You can promote the blood drive by using the hashtag: #OurBloodMatters." 

Last chance to apply for the 2022 Global Fellows Program for Spanish speakers!

"Learn more at apply.goldininstitute.org and apply by 11:59 CT 1st June 2022. Spread the word!"

In other news (from Chicago)...

• Congratulations to #ChicagoPeaceFellow Quilen Blackwell whose organization, Chicago Ego House, won a 'Designing a Better Chicago' grant! 
• #ChicagoPeaceFellow Diane Latiker featured in ABC7 Chicago for her amazing work keeping kids safe in Chicago
• #ChicagoPeaceFellow Pam Bosley featured on the Ripple Effect, a City of Chicago initiative to address and minimize the impact of gun violence. 

• Live Jazz every fourth Sunday, 4-6:30pm CDT: Jazz'n on the Steps. Join Chicago Peace Fellow Margaret Murphy-Webb and the South Side Jazz Coalition for free jazz at St. Moses The Black Parish. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy live music on the beautiful lawns of the church. 
• "Anti-Bullying Training and Social-Emotional Workshop" for youth, Friday July 15th 9:30-2:30pm CST. Join Chicago Peace Fellow Dorothy Thompson and Bullying Prevention and Awareness 365 for a workshop on bullying prevention aimed at youth and their supervisors. Free for youth, $25 for their supervisors. 

Since 2002, the Chicago-based Goldin Institute has inspired, equipped and connected grassroots leaders in over 50 countries to lead community driven social change.