Peace Warriors Initiative Transforming School Culture at Legal Prep Charter Academy

Jessica Rule and Javon Phillips, both 18, started a new chapter as they enrolled in Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University this academic year. They previously attended West Garfield’s Legal Prep Charter Academy, where they played pivotal roles as part of the school’s distinctive initiative, the Peace Warriors. This program involves students and staff in a restorative justice effort aimed at interrupting conflicts.

Rule and Phillips reminisced about Legal Prep, known for its frequent physical altercations before the Peace Warriors program took root. Comprised of 46 members, the Warriors were crucial in fostering a culture of nonviolence. Pastor Gerald Smith, also known as Pastor Peace, initiated this program at Legal Prep after noticing the need to reduce youth violence.

Smith’s program employs principles of nonviolence taught by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., fostering a change in mindset among students and staff. It involves a rigorous application process, including interviews and tests, where participating youth learn mediation skills to handle disputes.

A typical day for a Peace Warrior begins with positive interactions within the school. They greet students, monitor social media for potential conflicts, and offer support to those experiencing difficult days due to personal issues. They provide mentorship during lunch and intervene when fights break out, promoting mediation rather than confrontation.

“It’s not just what we do within the school; it’s a way of life,” Rule stated, reflecting on her motivation to become a Peace Warrior and influence change.

Key to the program’s success are the peace circles, where Warriors guide conflicting parties in resolution. Offenders write letters of accountability after disputes, aiming to restore trust within the community.

Smith emphasizes the importance of transformation, noting that many Warriors have personal histories of altercations or bullying. This has driven them to embrace nonviolence and seek alternative solutions.

Legal Prep Charter Academy celebrated 100 days without physical conflict, marking a transformative period for the school. External partners like New Mount Pilgrim MB Church and the Institute for Nonviolence Chicago help ensure safety during school dismissal.

The principal, Morrison, looks forward to training more students and staff to join the Peace Warriors, reinforcing community partnerships with local businesses, churches, and parents.

“Once a Peace Warrior, always a Peace Warrior,” declared Rule, stressing the importance of community-wide involvement to make a lasting impact.

The foundation’s CEO Samuel Finkelstein aims to extend the initiative to local elementary schools, enabling older students to mentor younger ones in conflict resolution and leadership.

Finkelstein asserts that empowering students to take charge fosters leadership and integrity, reducing negative teen trends — gatherings resulting from inadequate youth programs, employment, housing, and social spaces post-pandemic.

Researcher Almethia Franklin highlights the absence of community spaces for teens, stating, “When spaces are engineered away from communities, young people don’t disappear. They find spaces elsewhere.” Legal Prep’s Peace Warriors initiative represents a crucial effort to rebuild these spaces and connect youth positively.