RYPP: The Richmond Youth Peace Project
The Richmond Youth Peace Project is an initiative of the Richmond Peace Education Center and Drums No Guns. We want to help young people learn to settle conflicts nonviolently, and give them opportunities to express their ideas and concerns positively, through the arts, including spoken word, writing and music.
Watch a Video of our January 25,2009 Educoncert in honor of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Educoncert 2009
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At the RYPP 2009 Peace Summit, a group of participants created a 'Zine in one of our workshops. Take a look!
RYPP 'Zine 09
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Cards to Iraqi children
At the RYPP 2008 Peace Summit, participants made cards to send to children in Iraq. The were translated into Arabic by Dr. Ali Hossaini.
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Conflict Resolution Workshops for Children and Teens:
We now have a group of teen trainers ready to conduct supervised conflict resolution workshops for groups of young people. Over the past few months, they have led nonviolent conflict resolution workshops for a number of Richmond schools, congregations, youth groups and community centers.
If your organization would like to schedule one or more conflict resolution sessions, please contact the RPEC offices at 232-1002 or email rpec@rpec.org Each workshop session will be led by two or more of our teen trainers and at least one experienced adult leader.
Our next Conflict Resolution Workshop for Teen Trainers will be held on September 26-27, 2009 at the RPEC offices, 400 W. 32nd St., 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. each day.
The training is open to 20 young people from 8th grade-age 20.
Download an application.
For more information, email us at rypp@rpec.org
Photo Gallery of our RYPP training on September 29-30, 2007
Edu-concerts and Youth Peace Summits:
On January 22, 2009 we held our fourth annual Edu-concert, part of the Living the Dream commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s civil rights heritage. The event was held before a full house at the VCU Performing Arts Center, and included music, song, dance and spoken word performances by more than 100 young people supported by several professional performers.
Download a Quicktime video of the 2008 Educoncert
In April 2006, we held our second Youth Peace Summit at Fifth Baptist Church. Many of the workshops were planned and led by young people themselves. Our third annual Youth Peace Summit was held Saturday May 5, 2007. Approximately 75 young people attended this year's event. Again, many of the workshops were led or co-led by teen facilitators.
Our most recent Peace Summit was held Saturday, April 26. Over 130 teens participated in this year's event! Thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it a huge success.
Photo Gallery of RYPP Peace Summit 2008
On Saturday, April 25, we held our Fifth Annual Youth Peace Summit at St. Paul's Baptist Church (Southside Campus). Over 100 teens participated in workshops, and saw a midday performance of rap, song and spoken word poetry by a variety of youth performers.
Represent RYPP and RPEC at Community Events:
We need youth volunteers to help spread the word about RYPP and the Richmond Peace Education Center at festivals and other events. If you would like to volunteer to staff a table for a few hours, let us know.
Would you like to join us?
If you want to participate in conflict resolution training, staff a table or help plan future RYPP events, please let us know. It's also a great way to earn community service hours that your school may require.
Send us your name, address, telephone number and email address. Email that information to , or call the Richmond Peace Education Center at 232-1002.