While legislation and safety programs deal with keeping weapons out of the hands of those in stress, programs such as HIP go far in creating relationships and environments where this stress is dealt with by positive and peaceful means. HIP is a program to encourage creative use of non-violent resolutions to conflict. Teen and adult participants experience conflict and evaluate the need for change in themselves and their communities. The Basic HIP workshop is facilitated by teams with the leadership from the Community Peace Trainers. Graduates of the Basic take the second level, Advanced Workshop.
Scholarships are available.
These trainings have been a diverse, uplifting, and empowering experience that so far have helped over 400 people in the region incorporate non-violent conflict resolution into their lives, schools, workplaces, etc. to date. Now it is time for me to move on. I have accepted a full-time position as pastor at the 1st Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Woodbridge, New Jersey. As most of you know, I was in seminary when I was hired by the Coalition. When I graduated in June of 2000, I began to search for a call from a congregation to be their pastor.