A NOTE FROM DAN

Dear Friends,

Spring is here — and so is the energy that comes with it. At PeaceMaker Minnesota, this time of year means full classrooms, busy Peace Guides, and kids across the Twin Cities building skills that will serve them for life.

This issue is close to my heart. We've spent a lot of time this year talking about the quiet, often invisible work that happens in our schools every day — the one-on-one conversations, the small-group sessions, the moments when a child learns to take a breath instead of a swing. That work is real, it's measurable, and it's changing lives. You'll see the evidence throughout these sections.

I'm also excited to share that our Community Counts Campaign is coming — May 1–10. It's one of my favorite times of year, a chance for people across Minnesota to put their values into action and make peacemaking education a priority. We hope you'll be counted among our PeaceMakers this year.

None of this happens without you. Your support, your belief in this work, and your willingness to share our mission with others are what keep us going. Thank you for being part of this community.

With gratitude,

Dan McNeil

What No Curriculum Can Teach

Inside the work of PeaceMaker's Peace Guides

School and home life can leave children feeling overstimulated — from back-to-back subjects to rowdy lunchrooms to screens for homework and entertainment. For many kids, that overload shows up as conflict, withdrawal, or behavior that even the adults who know them best find puzzling. And yet, the most important work often happens quietly — a one-on-one conversation in the hallway, a small group learning to name their feelings, a child who walks away from a hard moment knowing they have the tools to handle what comes next.

Kristy, executive director at one of PeaceMaker's partner schools, put it best: "The invisible work of listening, mediating, and quiet encouragement is often the most vital. Our Peace Guide made this work visible through the improved morale of our staff and the growing emotional intelligence of our students."

One Conversation at a Time

Peace Guides serve K-8 students across Twin Cities-area schools, working individually with students navigating conflicts, self-esteem challenges, and relationship struggles, and leading small groups and classroom sessions built around social-emotional learning. The work isn't curriculum-driven — it's about connection, meeting students where they are, and guiding them toward their own solutions.

Many children can name exactly what they are learning.

These are the building blocks of emotional intelligence — self-awareness, empathy, self-regulation, and self-advocacy. Skills that serve students for life.

Thousands of Moments, Seven Communities

At mid-year, Peace Guides have served 948 students and 93 teachers across nine schools in seven communities. They've facilitated 2,400 one-on-one conversations and 227 group conversations. In a survey of 88 staff members, 99% said their Peace Guide is improving student behavior and helping students resolve conflicts, build relationships, and develop self-esteem.

Peace Is Worth the Work

"Her work has had a noticeable impact on students' social growth, problem-solving skills, and overall sense of safety and belonging," said Amy, a teacher at a partner school. Robin added, "Her ability to get to the bottom of behaviors and build relationships with students is an asset to our students and staff."

That's the work PeaceMaker shows up to do every day. Your support makes this possible.

The Work You Make Possible

Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening across our programs in schools and communities.

Books for PeaceMakers

Donors like you brought peace-themed stories to life in Minneapolis and St Paul classrooms, where students listened to an interactive presentation from The Storybook Foundation, then discussed what they've learned and created their own artwork inspired by the story, making the lessons personal and memorable.

"This was great for our age group, and a really good book! It will help with some of the recess struggles — getting scholars to stand up for themselves and others."

~ Minneapolis Teacher

Ambassadors for Respect

"It is so amazing to educate students on being inclusive — and to see it firsthand, to understand why it matters."

~ Maple Grove Teacher





In this powerful program, fourth-grade students hear directly from individuals with developmental disabilities — Ambassadors for Respect — who share their personal experiences with bullying. Students learn the impact of their words and actions, how to be inclusive, and why advocating for themselves and others matters.



The program reached students across thirteen communities this year — Prior Lake, Maple Grove, Hastings, Mora, Duluth, Willmar, Elk River, Maplewood, Moundsview, Winona, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and West St. Paul.

Safe School Initiaves

PeaceMaker donors provide financial support to elementary and K-8 schools to help educators and students become leaders in bullying prevention and conflict resolution. Funding reimburses schools for curricula, training, and materials that cultivate safe, nurturing learning environments — equipping students and staff with practical tools to promote respectful communication and combat bullying.



This year, Safe School Initiatives brought Kindness Retreats to students in St. Anthony Village, Lakeville, Isanti, and Eagan — and the results are showing up back in the classroom.

"It was rewarding to observe our students open up, support one another, and develop a deeper understanding of kindness in practice. This positive impact has extended beyond the retreat, strengthening our classrooms and overall school community."

~ Eagan Teacher

"The Kindness Retreat really brought the kids together. I have seen some good changes in my classroom and as a whole grade level — the kids have that intrinsic motivation to act on their kindness."

~ Isanti Teacher

These programs don't run on autopilot. They run on partnerships — with schools, educators, community members, and donors like you who believe peace is worth the work. If you'd like to be part of what happens next, reach out at info@peacemakermn.org.

Play Ball for Peace

Raise funds. Earn Recognition. Play Ball.

organization. The individuals or groups will receive on-field pre-game recognition and free tickets to share with family, friends, and classmates.



Saturday, June 6th at 1:10 p.m. — Twins vs. Kansas City Royals.

We have 400 tickets to share, with availability for each participating school, group, or individual determined after May 10. Any amount raised counts — there's no minimum.

Schools have gotten creative in the past — coin drives, hat and non-uniform days for donations, asks to their Parent Teacher Association, etc. Individuals or groups could do a social media campaign, a used book sale, a lemonade stand, etc., to raise funds. Every dollar moves the needle.

Contact us at info@peacemakermn.org to get started.

Peace is worth the work — and this year, it comes with a front-row seat.

Are You the One Kids Gravitate Toward?

This isn't a job posting. It's an invitation

Employment & Internships

Perhaps you're retired
and ready for a role that feeds your soul a little.

Maybe you're a new empty nester
with more time than structure.

Or you're a college student or recent grad
looking for experience beyond a line on a resume.

Some people just know — they've always been the one
kids gravitate toward.

This opportunity might be for you.

Standing Up for Peace

Join us where the work comes to life

Help Us Put Pacemaker Quest to the Test

Got a way with kids? We have a game that needs you

Character-based Challenge cards prompt discussions about perspective-taking and peaceful conflict resolution, connecting directly to skills students use every day.

Since the game is newly developed, we'd appreciate feedback from real kids so we can make it even better. We're looking for motivated volunteers willing to visit schools or after-school programs to facilitate game sessions. No experience required — just enthusiasm for kids and a belief that learning can be fun.



Interested? Email info@peacemakermn.org to learn more.

PEACEMAKING IN DAILY LIFE

When Helping Isn't Helping

The habit that changes every hard conversation

We've all been there. Someone we love is upset — a child, a partner, a friend — and before they've gotten three sentences out, we're already thinking about what to tell them. What to suggest. How to fix it. We mean well. We're trying to help. But somewhere in the middle of our very good advice, we notice they've gone quiet. Or worse, they've shut down entirely.

It's one of the most common communication pitfalls, and it has a name: Advising. Jumping in with solutions before the other person feels heard doesn't just miss the mark — it can actually make them feel more alone.

Here's the hard truth: most people, when they're upset, aren't looking for answers yet. They're looking for someone to sit with them in it first. Commiserate. Understand. Empathize.

Reflective listening asks us to do something that feels unnatural — to hold back, stay curious, and resist the urge to fix. To ask instead of tell. To let silence do some of the heavy lifting.

It sounds simple. It isn't. It takes practice.

That’s the first and most important step our Peace Guides do every single day with students who are struggling. Not solving. Not redirecting. Just listening — fully and without judgment — guiding a student, collaboratively, until they find their footing.

Given the space to think it through, many students arrive at their own solutions. And when they do, something bigger happens. They build self-esteem — the belief that they are worthy and that they matter. They develop self-confidence — the trust that they can handle challenges, make decisions, and reach their goals. And they strengthen self-reliance — the ability to navigate life independently, on their own terms.

Those muscles only grow when we let them do the lifting. It's true for the students Peace Guides work with every day — and it's true at home, at the dinner table, in the car on the way to practice. Every time we hold back and let a child, a coworker, a friend work through something on their own, we're giving them something no solution ever could.

This week, try it once. When someone comes to you frustrated, lead with curiosity instead of a solution. "Tell me more" is a great place to start.

We Want to Hear From You

Have you tried it? When curiosity replaced a quick fix — when "tell me more" opened a door that advice would have closed — we want to hear what happened.

Your generous support enables us to provide Peace Guides, books, book discussions, Ambassadors for Respect trainings, and grants to help children and educators foster a culture of respect, empathy, and problem-solving. Together, we can create safer, more inclusive school environments for our children.

If you believe people and relationships matter and want to make a lasting impact, consider donating today. Every contribution brings us one step closer to a more peaceful world.

Another way to leave a lasting legacy of peace is to include PeaceMaker Minnesota in your will or estate plans. A planned gift ensures that future generations of students will continue to learn conflict resolution and peacemaking skills. To learn more about how you can make a meaningful impact for years to come, please email Dan McNeil.

Peace Is Worth the Work—Help Spread the Message!