June 2023 – Greater Tacoma Peace Prize

Photos from Peace in Action 2023

We delivered a new dining table set, a kitchen aid mixer, clothes for their 3 year old daughter and clothing and supplies for their baby boy arriving next month.

Maralise Hood Quan, Our 2023 GTPP Laureate

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Banquet registration is open.

In the firm belief that peace begins by meeting the needs in our immediate community, the Greater Tacoma Peace Prize is proud to announce the selection of Maralise Hood Quan as the 2023 Laureate. Throughout a career spanning four decades, Maralise has dedicated herself both within her community and abroad to developing tools and systems for bringing people together to resolve conflict. Starting with coordinating the Conflict Resolution Program at the United Nations University of Peace, Maralise now serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Dialog and Resolution, located in Tacoma.

The Center for Dialog & Resolution (CDR) was founded in 1994 by members of the Pierce County community seeking low-cost ways to resolve differences, and was originally named the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution. By 2014, the Center was known as the “region’s best-kept secret”, and formally changed its name to better reflect the culture it sought to cultivate. In 2020 as the country began dealing with the pandemic and ongoing local and national racial injustices, Maralise began “Refresh Friday”, going live on Facebook once a week to discuss opportunities for achieving peace in our current realities. Beyond the weekly refresh, as pandemic era eviction moratorium began to be lifted across the state, Maralise joined with other dispute resolution centers across the state to develop the Eviction Resolution Pilot Program to reduce the financial burden faced by landlords, and keep tenants facing financial difficulty off the streets. Today, under Maralise’s leadership, more than 20,000 people are requesting CDR services per year to resolve a conflict in their life.

The board recognizes the need for advocates and practitioners, who are dedicated to facilitating open conversation about conflict in the community. Maralise’s work with the Center for Dialog & Resolution is a testament to her enduring commitment to parsing out resolutions with her fellow community members. Her work, and the work she facilitates alongside the staff and volunteers at CDR, has greatly impressed the board and our community.

Christine Gleason, who nominated Hood Quan, wrote:
“Maralise Hood Quan is guided by a key principle: she wants people to learn how to treat each other more humanely.”

As we rebuild and uplift a community forever changed by the local and international social justice movements of 2020, Maralise continues to find ways to expand access to the services offered by The Center. She seeks to accomplish this through the Equity and Access Initiative, which includes:
A more equitable payment structure allowing anyone to use the center’s services, which often serve as an important diversion from the legal system; A mediator recruitment plan to build a diverse mediator corps that reflects and understands the community they serve; and
A scholarship program to decrease barriers to accessing training and facilitation.

The Greater Tacoma Peace Prize is a local nonprofit honoring community members and institutions who promote, achieve, and sustain peace, justice, and reconciliation at home and abroad. First awarded in 2005, the GTPP is rooted in Norwegian-American culture and the Norwegian dedication to Peace processes. At the GTPP we are dedicated to celebrating the everyday ways people further peace in our communities, and to growing and nuancing our understanding of Peace in all its forms. You can learn more about the organization at TacomaPeacePrize.org.

Contact: Cort Ockfen, Communications
Greater Tacoma Peace Prize
cort@tacomapeaceprize.org

Social media:
https://www.instagram.com/centerfordialogandresolution
https://www.facebook.com/CenterForDialogAndResolution

Address:
717 Tacoma Avenue South
Tacoma, WA 98402

Peace in Action 2023

Join Hands to Support Volodymyr Bieloshytskyi and His Family Amidst Challenging Circumstances

We invite you to be part of an incredible journey of resilience and compassion as we rally together to support Volodymyr Bieloshytskyi, his wife Tatiana, and their young daughter Aviheia. This courageous family, hailing from the Odessa region in Ukraine, has overcome immense challenges and now seeks our assistance to rebuild their lives in Tacoma, far away from the conflict that shattered their homeland.

A Life of Dedication:

Volodymyr Bieloshytskyi’s lifelong commitment to his family and his esteemed career as a certified sailor for international companies exemplify his unwavering dedication. Born and raised in the town of Izmail, he embodied the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion that guided him throughout his life.

In February, when war unexpectedly erupted, Volodymyr immediately abandoned his planned trip to be by his family’s side. He fearlessly navigated the dangers of their heavily targeted hometown, ensuring Tatiana and Aviheia’s safety as they escaped the violence that engulfed their community. Volodymyr’s unwavering presence amidst perilous situations saved countless lives as he spearheaded the evacuation efforts for those trapped in the occupied territories.

Volodymyr’s moral compass, deeply rooted in his strong religious beliefs, propelled him to remain steadfast in his principles. Despite the imminent danger surrounding him, he chose a path of non-violence, refusing to use weapons even when faced with grave threats. His unwavering faith and moral strength serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

A New Chapter:

Now residing in Tacoma, Volodymyr, Tatiana their three-year-old daughter and unborn child face the daunting task of starting afresh in a foreign land. As they endeavor to settle down and rebuild their lives, they require our collective support to meet their basic needs and secure a stable future for their growing family.

Your Support Matters:

By contributing to this fundraising campaign, you can play a vital role in helping the Bieloshytskyi family regain their footing. Your generous donations will provide them with the essential resources they need to establish a new home, access healthcare for Tatiana’s pregnancy, and ensure their kids well-being. Together, we can help alleviate their immediate financial burdens and provide a solid foundation for a brighter future.

Let Us Stand United:

In the face of adversity, it is the kindness and compassion of individuals like yourself that provide hope and inspire change. By joining hands, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of the Bieloshytskyi family, allowing them to embark on a new chapter with the support and stability they deserve. Together, let us rally around Volodymyr, Tatiana, and Aviheia, demonstrating the power of collective support in creating a brighter future.

Help our new neighbors by donating via the button below:

(100% of your donation will go to the family, and we will post the distributions on our site in the future)