The Pioneers for Peace program is an innovative violence prevention and awareness program. Developed by the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan in 1996 and sponsored in part by the United Way Community Services. The goal of the program is three-fold, to increase awareness about the impact of violence and ways to reduce its incidents among at risk youth. In addition we want to promote violence prevention, conflict resolution and good decision making skills among at risk youth of middle and high school ages. Finally, it is also our hope to educate the public on the value and abilities of persons with disabilities. Pioneers for Peace members are all survivors of violence who have sustained a spinal cord injury, brain injury or another type of traumatic injury that resulted in a permanent disability. Each member views her or his disability not as a tragedy but rather as an opportunity to make a difference by becoming an advocate for violence prevention. All members are volunteers who despite their challenges have taken leadership in the development, implementation and growth of the program. Most are all young adults having sustained their injuries as a teen.

pi·o·neer

Pronunciation: "pI-&-'nir

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle French pionier, from Old French peonier foot soldier, from peon foot soldier, from Medieval Latin pedon-, pedo-.

a:  A person or group that originates or helps open up a new line of thought or activity or a new method or technical development.

b:  One of the first to settle in a territory.

The Pioneers for Peace current objectives are met through various means. Panel discussions are held at schools, hospitals, churches, and other community settings, where Pioneer members talk candidly about how violence and making risky life style choices permanently altered their lives. Not all Pioneer members were injured as a result of risky life style choices. Some were the innocent victims of crimes such as car jackings, domestic violence and drive by shootings. They discuss the challenges of living with a disability, answer questions and encourage students to find peaceful means to resolve their conflicts and disputes. Through the Pioneers personal accounts students witness first hand the potential consequences of guns, gangs, drugs and violence. The Pioneers for Peace are also partners in a program developed by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department called ”Juvenile Reality“. The half day program takes at risk youth to the county jail where they talk with inmates and learn about life behind bars; the courthouse for a look at how the justice system works; the county morgue where they see graphic photos of people killed by gunfire and finally to the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan to meet with Pioneer members who in conjunction with hospital staff show students what it is like living with a disability caused by violence. Students actually experience what it is like to be in a wheelchair and how they would have to perform daily tasks such as dressing, climbing a staircase, or using the bathroom. We strongly feel that these efforts positively attempt to address and alleviate the psychologically, physical, and environmental causes of violence and other wide spread community problems. Furthermore, because the Pioneers for Peace is mostly comprised of young adults this demonstrates the power of youth involvement in leadership and decision making. Lastly, we also feel that this program actively utilizes a tremendous knowledge and respect for youth culture and its power to plant seeds of peace in the hearts and minds of our young people!