HANDS OF PEACE EMPOWERS YOUNG ISRAELIS, PALESTINIANS, AND AMERICANS AS TO BECOME AGENTS OF CHANGE. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PROGRAM IS A COMPREHENSIVE GROUP DIALOGUE PROCESS, STRUCTURED TO TAKE INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPANTS ON A JOURNEY THAT INCLUDES: 1) EXPLORING THE CONFLICT TOGETHER, 2) EXPOSURE TO EACH OTHER'S NARRATIVES, 3) SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES FOR GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF OUR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND COMMON HUMANITY, 4) IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTIONS THAT CAN BE TAKEN AS ENGAGED LEADERS.

WE ENVISION: An interconnected network of youth leaders who contribute to more peaceful communities through: 1) Dialogue across cultures, sides and nations provides the catalyst for individuals to change. Through dialogue, our youth challenge stereotypes, explore identities and confront complex conflicts while learning to listen and communicate to amplify their influence with compassion and understanding. 2) Education for young leaders to learn about diverse narratives, grow knowledge through role models and mentors, awaken what they care about and design their lives as agents of change. 3) Action to take initiative at the grassroots level with the skills to organize, strategize and cultivate resources for the most impact.

Source: Nonprofit submitted responses

Goal One: Post-COVID: Return to a full Summer Program running concurrently in Chicago and San Diego with for teens who have demonstrated their commitment to becoming agents of change.

Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.

Goal Two: Develop a sequence of alumni programs that provide skills and networks that support them as agents of change on the community, regional and international level.

Goal Type: New program(s) based on observed changes in needs among our constituencies/communities served.

Goal Three: Expand our fundraising capacity and outreach to diversify our fundraising base and grow giving from current donors.

Goal Type: Invest in the capacity of our organization (financial, management, technical, etc.).

Describe an investment in leadership

Hands of Peace invested over 60 team hours to working with a Spark Team from San Diego Social Venture Partners (SVP) so that the Executive Director, Site Director and Development Director could define and refine our Theory of Change. Hands of Peace turned to SVP at a pivotal point in its organizational growth as it began the shift from an established summer peacebuilding program to a robust alumni action network of engaged global citizens advocating for social change. The close relationship between SVP and the organization enabled work to continue despite the disruptions caused by the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East this May. The Hands of Peace team learned a lot from the Partners, and they also learned a lot about working as a team, with several new staff learning about the organization's history, programs, past evaluations, and how to use these materials to develop a cohesive Theory of change.

This organization mobilizes for mission in the following ways:

• Strategic Partnerships

• Networks of Collective Impact Efforts

• Thought Leadership

• Raising Awareness

• Community Building

What are this organization’s external mobilizaton efforts?

In order to "Grow a Thriving Network of Young Agents of Change," Hands of Peace relies on hundreds of host family and volunteers each year in the U.S., plus partnerships in the U.S. and Middle East. We also need to educate the American hosts and volunteers on the topics of youth leadership, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and dialogue processes so that they can support the youth. We accomplish this by "Serving as a hub for intercultural exchange and education, for a vibrant, international community." Monthly Community Circles include panels, readings, films, and interactive dialogue that reflects our youth programming. Alumni are featured in media and public events. Youth speak at faith congregations during the Summer Program. Staff and alumni speak at national and international conferences as well as to local groups and schools. We have an outstanding Marketing and Communications Specialist to spread our mission and stories through e-newsletters, media and social media, and events.

When we realized that COVID was going to extend into a second year with continued travel restrictions, barriers to face-to-face meetings and reduced funding, we pivoted quickly to online programs by enhancing our tech capacity, staff training and partnerships. Instead of a three-week in person Summer Program with American, Israeli and Palestinian youth, we offered a four-week eight-session online program that allowed each delegation to meet separately (our research indicated that it could be harmful to connect them online for their first encounter). We conducted Resilience Training for our Middle East alumni to manage stress due to conflict, COVID and other factors. We partnered with another Middle East organization that already has a Negotiations Training program and interactive platform to offer a virtual training for alumni. Fundraising events went virtual with great success, reminding supporters that also it was less visible, their impact is continuing. Last, but perhaps most importantly, we managed to rebuild our staff from four back to 9 people living in 7 different cities in three countries, and create a strong cohesive team.