What leads a person to choose peacebuilding as their profession? For me, it stems from a commitment to helping communities heal and thrive, and to seeing cycles of pain and suffering be broken. I chose restorative justice, part of the larger umbrella of peacebuilding, because of a personal commitment, and yet I’m noticing the danger of peace just becoming “what I do for work.”
On June 21st, we celebrated Neighbours Day in the city of Kitchener, Ontario, where I live. And this spring, my neighbours have reminded me of what it means to live into a personal commitment to peace. I have witnessed the power of what happens when everyday people show up for their communities in creative, emergent ways. I’ve been shown what it looks like to be social disruptors by folks who’ve never heard of a “theory of change.” (And they probably couldn’t be bothered with one, anyway.) I have stood in awe of my community and what we’ve accomplished together, thanks to the leadership of some brilliant, community-oriented people in my neighbourhood. Let me tell you about three of them.
Chris
Chris hosts a clothing swap in her backyard for the neighbourhood twice a year. She receives thousands of items, from clothing to books to shoes, and arranges them beautifully on racks and tables throughout her yard. Close to 100 people cycle through and find satisfaction in visiting with neighbours while finding winter clothes for their kids without spending a dime or feeding into fast fashion. Last year, I bonded with one of my kids’ teachers. This year, I high-fived a teenage boy wearing a hoodie that I gave to the swap a few years ago. This is peace. This is power.
Sam
Sam kick-started (pun intended) a community soccer club at my son’s school. For $20, a child can join the league, get a t-shirt, and learn soccer skills with their friends for six weeks. Sam found me at school drop-off one morning and told me she was putting together a committee to organize it. Next thing I knew, I was on a WhatsApp group with a small group of parents making it happen. With Sam as our guide, we applied for city approval, found sponsors (shout out to the grocery store across the street! I knew I liked you!), made flyers, ordered shirts, organized teams, and the list goes on. Over 90 kids show up each week and hundreds of parents meet in the field to connect and cheer their kids on. This is peace. This is power.
Maria
Maria, who lives across the street, texted a group of neighbours a few weeks ago. She had learned that the single-family home that just sold beside her was being developed into an 8-unit rental property that left little room for tenant parking. Within a few days, we were gathered in Maria’s living room with a pot of coffee discussing our options for reducing the number of units on this build to ensure our street remained safe for our kids. A few days after that, we filled a row in the council chambers at City Hall and respectfully voiced our concerns. The council refused the plan on the table for 8 units, suggesting they consider a reduction to 6 with room for tenant parking. This is peace. This is power.
None of these leaders have fancy degrees or training in organizing. They are nurses, home daycare providers, and accountants who are paying attention to their communities, recognizing their power, and reaching out to collaborate. The critical ingredient here is their choice to step up and lead, and I’m amazed by what they were able to accomplish.
This is what building peace in everyday ways looks like for me, in my community, and I’m so grateful for these inspiring neighbours. At the same time, I know that there are a diversity of shapes and forms such initiatives can take across different communities – there are many ways to approach building peace together. I would love to hear about what peacebuilding looks like in your neighbourhood!
This Neighbours Day, I celebrate the education I’ve received from my neighbours and reflect on an old truth that I’ve been reminded of: building peace ain’t just for the pros.