The Amala Foundation will host the 2nd San Quentin Peace Walk inside San Quentin Prison on June 10th, 2012.  Proceeds from this unique walkathon will go to benefit the 6th Annual Global Youth Peace Summit in Austin, Texas in 2012 as well as the 1st Annual Northern California Global Youth Peace Summit, to be held in 2013.

Participants will have the amazing opportunity to walk side-by-side with the inmates of San Quentin Prison with the goal of supporting each other and the youth of the world to cultivate sustainable peace, within and without.  Several youth from the Global Youth Peace Summit who are 18 or older will also participate in the Peace Walk and speak at the event.

Each Peace Walk participant is asked to donate or raise at least $300 for the 2012 Global Youth Peace Summit.  Participants can raise money through our First Giving Fundraising Page: http://www.firstgiving.com/25182/san-quentin-peace-walk.  You have until the Peace Walk to raise all funds.  Registration begins February 1st, 2012 and ends March 31st (or when space is full).  PLEASE NOTE: You have until the Peace Walk to raise all funds.

TO REGISTER for the 2012 Peace Walk, PLEASE CLICK HERE.  If you are deeply inspired to walk but do not believe you can fundraise the minimum donation, please contact Heather Brovsky to inquire about other ways to participate at heather@amalafoundation.org.

*Please note that there will be a mandatory orientation and retreat day with Amala Founder Vanessa Stone on June 9th from 1-5 pm at the Fairfax Community Church, 2398 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Fairfax, CA 94930..  If you are booking a return flight home on Sunday, please make sure it departs after 7pm. Also, please know that prior to the day of the Peace Walk, unforeseen circumstances could arise that prohibit us from entering the prison on the 10th.  This is not likely, but if it occurs, we have scheduled space for a day-long retreat with Vanessa on the 10th.

The Inspiration

The idea for the Peace Walk was formed by Champions for Children, a compassionate group of men incarcerated in San Quentin State Prison who have organized to empower youth to grow into peace leaders of a global community. The men have been inspired by their experiences of healing from the wounds of violence in their work with Amala Foundation founder Vanessa Stone as well as Kathy Harris, who have been visiting San Quentin for several years.

The San Quentin Peace Walk is an effort for the men to make a difference in the world while they are incarcerated. These men are walking to ensure youth affected by violence receive the support and the healing needed to follow a brighter life path and grow into compassionate men and women.  The Peace Walk addresses the roots of violence and offers a path of healing to the men who walk as well as to the youth it ultimately serves.

JW, one of the Champions for Children, shared their inspiration for creating this event: “We get a chance to give back, to reach people beyond these walls. This is an opportunity to show my humanity, who I truly am on the inside. There is a freedom here to be the person you were always meant to be. We’re not confined by other people’s opinions, or these walls.”

Sam, one of the Champions for Children, said of their inspiration to support the Global Youth Peace Summit: “I’m locked up in chains, but my love is free. My heart is free to love my children, and the children of the world. They are our future: we will do anything we can to help them.”

A portion of the funds raised through this year’s Peace Walk will help establish the Champions for Children Scholarship Fund, enabling the children of these incarcerated men to participate in the 2013 Northern California Global Youth Peace Summit.

Last Year’s Peace Walk…

Last year, on May 15th, approximately 50 people from our community united with over 200 inmates inside San Quentin Prison for Amala’s 1st Annual Peace Walk. It was a moving experience, unlike any most of us had ever witnessed. 50 of us stood in solidarity and compassion with over 200 inmates to support their mission to fundraise and sponsor youth to attend the Global Youth Peace Summit. We stood as equals, united by the sincere desire to make a difference, to offer youth an alternative from the pain of war and violence. There were tears, laughter and men in blue singing gospel music while petitioning donations and sharing meaningful words from their heart. So much healing for all. We stand in awe, time and time again, at the power of a united community… A community in service… Amala is this kind of community.

One of the Champions For Children (the group of inmates that helped organize the Peace Walk) commented on the event the following day. Here’s what he had to say:

“The poet Rumi says ‘out beyond ideas of wrong-doing & right-doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.’

Yesterday, we all met on such a field. Here the game is not a game. No one wins unless & until everyone wins. The line between victim & perpetrator no longer ran between ‘I’ & ‘other.’ I am you, you are me, together we became ‘Love.’

Love cares as much about the enemy as it does a friend. Love is the only justice & the only victory there is. It does not want anyone destroyed. No more kids hurt no war, no violence – what would such a world look like? On May 15th, 2011 San Quentin held it’s first peace walk, partnering w/ Amala Foundation’s Global Youth Peace Summit.

God was ever present, we experienced Love, Caring & Compassion – hearing open, honest sharing. Tears fell, hearts broke all the while experiencing freedom. Yes, here at San Quentin Prison – freedom! (this, being written by a guy serving a prison sentence 50 years to life) . Freedom to choose to love, not hate. Freedom to allow our loves to make a positive influence upon this world.

I on behalf of Champions for Children say thank you! Thank you for coming to our humble home & trusting in humanity.

A Letter From San Quentin…

Recently, we received an email from one of the beautiful men who helped organize our San Quentin Peace Walk back in the Spring. Here’s what he had to say:

“My name is Jonathan Wilson (JW) & I am one of the organizers – Champions for Children of the 2011 San Quentin Peace Walk. I wanted to let all the participants know that two months later that I as well as all the other men who participated are still very thankful & very humbled that you not only came in to walk with us but also shared with us at the conclusion of the day. I am still moved and enlightened, it has truly taken me to a different level. The memory of this day will be etched in my mind forever. The circle that we formed while on the yard at the end of the day felt like a healing circle. I could literally feel the energy as we held hands. I’ve read somewhere it said that spiritual power increases when people gather.

The word Satsang implies truth that grows stronger because it is shared. As a practicing Christian, Communion carries the same weight, when people gather together for spiritual growth they make an agreement, silent or spoken, to become co-creators. On this day we all became co-creators and a feeling of shared responsibility overcame me as I experienced the spirit of bonding on an emotional level. One of the purposes of this day was to let the spirit expand. My spirit has definitely expanded. The bars and gates that physically make this prison has disappeared. Never could I have imagined that this event would have such a ripple effect on me and others that participated. I was deeply moved by Evelyn’s story, as well as other kids that attended. I am honored by all who participated that day and although I pray to be released from San Quentin by next year, I will be available to work with my community again in support to the Summit.

Thank you all,

JW”

Can’t Attend, But Want To Make A Donation?

You can support our fundraising efforts for the 2012 Global Youth Peace Summit by clicking the button below. Approximately 80% of the youth that attend the Global Youth Peace Summit are on full scholarship, including refugee, immigrant and under-served youth. Your donation will offer a youth the opportunity to experience this transformative event and become a leader for peace in their respective communities, schools and homes. Any size donation is greatly appreciated, $10, $20, $50, etc. It costs $775 to sponsor a youth for the entire Summit. Thank you for your gift; its impact will be felt by many.

Donate Now

Details

Each Peace Walk participant is encouraged to donate or raise at least $300 for the 2012 Global Youth Peace Summit.  Participants can raise money through our First Giving Fundraising Page: http://www.firstgiving.com/25182/san-quentin-peace-walk.  Registration begins February 1st, 2012 and ends March 31st.  TO REGISTER for the 2012 Peace Walk, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Have questions?  Please contact Heather Brovsky at heather@amalafoundation.org.