Our Mission & Vision

We are building a worldwide community of kind, compassionate and empowered young people.

Our vision is a safe and peaceful world where all people respect and care for each other and our planet. Kids for Peace serves as a model and inspiration for creating this reality with children leading the way, not only for today, but for generations to come.

HISTORY

In 2006, Jill McManigal, a mother of two young children and Danielle Gram, a high school honors student met at a neighborhood party. Inspired by a “Peace” button Jill was wearing, the two engaged in a conversation about their wishes and hopes for our world. They quickly realized they shared a vision of bringing children together to lead the way for a brighter tomorrow for all.

Within weeks after meeting, Jill and Danielle gathered a small group of children in Jill’s backyard and Kids for Peace was born. With a deep conviction that youth are innately wise, the children were asked these questions, “What does peace mean to you?” “What do you want our world to look like?” “What can you do to create the world you wish to see?” “What do you want to pledge yourself to?” Listening to their wisdom, our Peace Pledge was created and our mission was solidified.

The children got busy helping others, learning about other cultures, caring for our earth and doing their part to make a positive difference. The news of these dynamic children spread quickly and soon requests were made to replicate Kids for Peace in several neighborhoods. Organically, the pure and powerful message of our children spread around the world.

Today, Kids for Peace is a global 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that provides a platform for young people to actively engage in socially conscious leadership, community service, arts, environmental stewardship and global friendships. Kids for Peace has launched over 300 interconnected chapters around the world. Through Kids for Peace projects and programs, youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds are empowered to become part of positive solutions leading to a healthy and harmonious planet.

CO-FOUNDERS

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Danielle Gram

Danielle Gram is currently leading international program development for Kids for Peace. After graduating from Harvard College in 2011, Danielle was awarded the Frederick Sheldon Prize Traveling Fellowship. From fall 2011-2012, Danielle traveled and worked with vulnerable children in Asia, East Africa and the Middle East. Among her many experiences, she adapted the Kids for Peace curriculum for use with former child soldiers and for children living in refugee camps and conflict settings.

Danielle focused her undergraduate studies on religion, violence, and human security. Her senior thesis focused on the plight of children accused of witchcraft in central Africa. At Harvard, Danielle worked at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, a think-tank for humanitarian response where she worked on projects addressing humanitarian concerns in Haiti, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2009, she received a David Rockefeller Experience Grant which enabled her to bring Kids for Peace programming to abused women and children in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

Danielle has received numerous prizes and awards for her academic excellence and public service leadership including the Thomas T. Hoopes Prize, the Peter J. Gomes Prize in Religion and Ethnicity, the Philippe Wamba Prize, the 2010 World of Children Youth Founder's Award, the ABC 10 News Leadership Award and the Nestle's Very Best in Youth Award. Danielle hopes to continue strengthening the programs of Kids for Peace so that all children, especially those directly affected by violence, can have a space to cultivate peace for themselves and others.

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Jill McManigal

Jill McManigal is a California native who joyfully resides in Carlsbad, CA with her two children. She has her Masters in Education with an emphasis in Service Learning, a BA in Communications from the University of Southern California, Nonprofit Management Certificate from Chapman University and a Certificate of Leadership from the Fieldstone Foundation. She is a former elementary school teacher who has written and directed numerous children’s musicals and inspirational rallies. Jill has consistently been elected to leadership roles including high school student body president and president of the Alpha Phi sorority at USC. Jill will tell you though, her favorite elected office was her term as Sunshine Chairman where she was able to encourage simple acts of kindness in an official capacity!
Jill is the recipient of several leadership awards including: Bank of America’s Local Hero Award, Congresswoman Susan Davis’s Empowering Youth in Service Award, ABC Channel 10’s Leadership Award, CISV Founders Award, Carlsbad Educational Foundation’s Award of Excellence, the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, President Obama’s Call to Service Award, and April 26th proclaimed as "Jill McManigal Day" in San Diego. When she is not loving up her children, Hana and Bodhi, or running Kids for Peace, Jill loves to travel and participate in sprint triathlons where she gets to enjoy the outdoors swimming, biking and walking. Jill’s true passion is working closely with children and making the world kinder and more compassionate for all.

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CORE TEAM

Jill McManigal

Executive Director

Asia Moore

Chief Operations Officer

Meg Jansen

Peace Pledge Program Director

Kristen Kinney

Katrina Carroll

Director, The Great Kindness Challenge Australia

 

Shivanii Ray

Kids for Peace Spokeskid

Atta ul Haq Khaderzai

Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Pakistan

Edward Kabaka

Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Kenya

Ambassador Robert K Gboluma Jr.

Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Liberia

Janelle Mentzel

Bookkeeper

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mojgan Amini

Board Member

June An

Board Member

Mary Lee Brendsel

Board Secretary

Aimee Clark

Board Member

Lena Evans

Board Member

Alixe Fesler

Board Member

Adrian Heath

Board Treasurer

Lucy Kelleher

Board Member

Board Member

Megan Nelson

Board Member

Jackie Papazian-Brown

Board President

Chris Ryan

Board Member

Naila Sfeir

Board Member

Richard Tubbs

Board Member

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Dr. Rubina Feroze Bhatti

Leadership Development Practitioner & A Woman Peacemaker

Steve Hart

Co-Founder, ViaSat, Inc

Joy McManigal

Entrepreneur, Writer, Life Coach, Founder of The C4 Way

Dr. Ben Churchill

Superintendent,
Carlsbad Unified School District

Bill Southard

Founder and CEO of Southard Communications

Edward Kabaka

Chief Executive Officer of the Kids for Peace School & Peace Center of Kenya

Kathleen Rosenthal

Elementary School Teacher

Cynthia Gilliam

Peacebuilder, Kids for Peace South-East San Diego Chapter Leader

Kids for Peace Interns

  • Emelio Gomez – CSUSM Senior Experience Intern
  • Giselle Cruz – University of Irvine Intern
  • Carissa Chu – CSUSM Senior Experience Intern
  • Phillip Durussel – CSUSM Senior Experience Intern
  • “Eric” Rui Han – University of Irvine Intern
  • Ashley Herrarte – University of Irvine Intern
  • Keana Houston – CSUSM Senior Experience Intern
  • Erin Kim – University of Irvine Intern
  • Chike Ofoedu – CSUSM Senior Experience Intern
  • Xiang Zhou – University of Irvine Intern
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I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.

As part of the Peace of My Heart project, kids all over the world distribute hearts with messages of love and hope.

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I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.

The SAI International School Kids for Peace chapter in Bhubaneswar, India hosts a book drive, installs a library, and shares story time with underserved neighborhood friends.

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I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.

The Kids for Peace founding chapter in California, USA creates a public service announcement (PSA) to encourage others to protect and save the ocean.

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I pledge to respect people in each and every land.

Kids learn about children in other cultures and then create Peace Packs (knapsacks filled with school supplies, toiletries, toys, and a note of friendship) to give to their new friends.

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I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.

Kids in the United States show their unity at school with a giant peace sign.

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I pledge to do my part to create PEACE for one and all.

Kids use their Peace Pledge Workbooks to learn how they can put peace into action at the Kids for Peace School and Peace Center of Pakistan.

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I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.

The Kids for Peace founding chapter in California, USA uses kind words to express gratitude at a city council meeting.

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I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.

The Kids for Peace Sierra Leone chapter in Freetown, Sierra Leone grows vegetables in a community garden and shares the harvest with those in need.

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I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.

Kids tend their school garden at the Kids for Peace School of Kenya.

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I pledge to respect people in each and every land.

Kids travel to other countries,learn about each other, and make new friends.

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I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.

The SAI International School Kids for Peace chapter in Bhubaneswar, India brightens the spirits of local elders with cards, flowers, songs, and happy conversations.

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I pledge to do my part to create PEACE for one and all.

Kids express their commitment to creating peace through art at the Kids for Peace School of Kenya.

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I pledge to use my words to speak in a kind way.

The Kids for Peace Salone chapter in Sierra Leone uses kind words through song to uplift friends.

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I pledge to help others as I go throughout my day.

The Gombe Education Brand Kids for Peace chapter in Kampala, Uganda collects and delivers useful supplies for babies in need.

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I pledge to care for our earth with my healing heart and hands.

The Killara Kids for Peace chapter in Sydney, Australia cleans up local unoccupied land.

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I pledge to respect people in each and every land.

Kids express love and care through chapter to chapter messages.

blue-5a-join
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I pledge to join together as we unite the big and small.

The Kids for Peace founding chapter in California, USA joins together to take care of animals.

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I pledge to do my part to create PEACE for one and all.

One by one, kids from chapters all over the United States inspire others during their rallies for peace.

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