Wexford has a long-term commitment to building bridges of understanding within, across and amongst communities, through programs and evidence-based strategies and resources, to create and continue the evolution of Peaceful Schools and Communities.
​The Peace Academy Staff has extensive educational preparation and in-depth experience in: project management; cultural competency training; restorative justice practices; community development; and, school improvement/tramsformation.
Wexford
Peace Projects
LA vs Hate is an anti-hate system established by the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations at the 2018 request of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors noting a marked increase in hate violence. The system provides for preventing and responding to hate, as well as services to support healing from the trauma of hate, through its network of community-based organizations (CBOs) in L.A. County.
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Wexford has engaged with LA vs Hate and its CBO partners in:
1) Developing programs for over 30 new and existing projects provided by the network partners. New projects focus on reducing hate-incidents related to most vulnerable populations based on race, religion, and LGBTQ.
2) Working with the L.A. District Attorney, L.A. City Attorney, L.A. Public Defender, L.A. Alternate Public Defender, along with clinical, counseling and educational agencies, including the the L.A. County Office of Education, to create a diversion program, based on an earlier pilot, that provides offenders with anti-bias training and mental health counseling to reduce hate-crime recidivism.
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United Through The Arts
Connecting Creativity and Community
"The arts ignite the mind, they give you the possibilities to dream, and to hope."
-Arthur Mitchell, Co-Founder, Dance Theater of Harlem
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Arthur Mitchell emphasized the importance of creativity in fostering peace. He also believed that dance has great benefits, applicable to other art disciplines as well:
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Dance is a universal language that transcends cultural barriers.
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It promotes unity and connection among diverse groups of people.
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It can be a powerful form of expression and healing.
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It encourages collaboration and teamwork, essential for peaceful coexistence.
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​It serves as a constructive alternative to negative influences and activities
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Through dance, individuals can share their stories and experiences, promoting empathy.
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In this spirit, the Peace Academy is developing its new United Through The Arts initiative in 2025​.
Resources to Support
Schools and Communities
Improving Mental Health Access and Outcomes
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​The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and to improve the lives of individuals living with mental and substance use disorders, and their families.
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Los Angeles County Office of Education
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Project Creative AWARE and SPORT - school-based mental health and suicide prevention online modules
Trauma Sensitive/Informed Schools
Creating a Peaceful
School and Community Environment
School Safety, Culture and Climate
- ​SchoolSafety.gov
- National Center for School Safety
- AASA School Safety and Crisis Planning Toolkit
- School Safety Elements and Resources​ - California Department of Education
- ​​Enhancing School Safety - Using a Threat Assessment Model
- National School Climate Center​
- The PeaceBuilders® Program ​
Reducing Bullying and Other Hate Incidents
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Crisis Intervention Institute - Proactive Approaches to Address School Bullying
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StopBullying.gov - Reducing bullying and youth violence
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