What does peacemaking look like when it begins with access to justice?

In this episode of The Need for Courage, host John Byrne speaks with Fr. Owen Chourappa, S.J., Executive Director of the Legal Cell for Human Rights in Northeast India. For nearly two decades, Fr. Owen and his team have empowered vulnerable communities by providing legal education, advocating for children's rights, combating human trafficking, and offering free legal representation to those who cannot afford it.

Fr. Owen shares how the organization trains local youth as "barefoot lawyers" and paralegals, equipping them to educate their communities, connect families with government resources, resolve local disputes, and assist victims of trafficking. He also reflects on the importance of dignity, community empowerment, and the role of international partnerships, including the Center for Peacemaking's relationship with the Jesuits of Northeast India.

Join us for a conversation about justice as a pathway to peace and how ordinary people can become powerful agents of change in their communities.

How do neighborhoods recover from decades of disinvestment? What role do residents, businesses, universities, government, and community organizations play in creating lasting change?

In this episode of the Need for Courage, host John Byrne speaks with Lindsey St. Arnold Bell, Executive Director of Near West Side Partners, about the ongoing revitalization of Milwaukee's Near West Side. Lindsey shares the history of the neighborhood, the impact of infrastructure and economic change, and how community-driven development can build trust, opportunity, and long-term prosperity.

Center for Peacemaking staff, students, and faculty have been key partners in the Near West Side Partners' community impact since it started in 2015.

What happens when schools prioritize relationships, healing, and belonging? In this episode of The Need for Courage, Willie Maryland and Drew deLutio share the story of the Milwaukee Public Schools Success Center, an innovative partnership that helps students thrive through restorative practices and wraparound support. Their conversation explores the transformative power of compassion, community, and meaningful relationships, offering a hopeful vision for how schools can respond to the social and emotional needs of young people and their families.

Here is a link to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article mentioned in the podcast: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/education/2023/05/22/milwaukee-public-schools-success-center-focuses-on-mental-health-to-address-behavior-challenges/70220799007/

Learn more about the Success Center here: https://mupeacemaking.medium.com/rebuilding-trust-accelerating-success-189564c4a5f5