A group of teenagers in Akron, Ohio, is working hard to make their hometown a better place to live. They call themselves PeaceMakers.

The Akron PeaceMakers were first brought together to advise Mayor Donald L. Plusquellic (plus-KWEL-ik) on youth issues. But the group’s organizer and advisor, Billy Soule, had a larger vision. He wanted the teens to be more active members of their city, first by learning how local government works and then by helping where they are needed. “It’s about making Akron the kind of community people want to live in,” Soule says.

Akron PeaceMakers with Mayor Donald Plusquellic and advisor Billy Soule

The PeaceMakers spend eight weeks in training, learning how their local government and community organizations work—and how they work together.

Then, the PeaceMakers get to work themselves. They spend much of their time working with fellow teens. “We help give information to teens about stuff that’s relevant in their lives, like dealing with college or job applications,” explains Akil G.. He’s a member of the PeaceMakers’ executive committee. PeaceMakers members have reached out to their fellow teens on issues such as school safety and staying away from drugs.

PeaceMakers reach out to other teens at a Teen Expo in Akron

“This summer, we’re going to start holding summer camps for elementary and middle school students,” adds Meghan M., the group’s vice president. “We’re going to teach them how the government works, how they can stay out of trouble, how they can volunteer in the community and do community service and help out around the city of Akron.”

Last month, the PeaceMakers attended a holiday ceremony for the families of victims of violent crime. Each family had an angel ornament with the name of their family member. “We say their names and hang their ornaments on the Christmas tree,” says Meghan. “The families speak and say something about their loved ones. We’re just there to help out.”

The group’s members say they get just as much out of the program as they put in. “Being a PeaceMaker means that you show initiative in your school, in your community, and in your area to promote peace through volunteering,” says Akil. “That helps, when you know that you’re needed. It helps you almost as much as the people that you’re helping.”

Peace beyond the local community is important to the group, too. They often host international visitors in Akron. They meet to talk about world peace issues from a youth perspective.

“These are young people working out peaceful resolutions,” says Soule. “We have a group of young people concerned about these issues not only locally, in our community, but internationally. We want to see more of this in America.”

Young Akron ambassadors meet with visitors

from Seychelles and Palestine to discuss peace

Do you want to make a difference in your community? “You don’t need a whole group of people,” Akil advises. “It’s just one person going to the Red Cross, going to Victim Assistance, going somewhere to make a difference. But it’s nice to have a group together … [PeaceMakers are] an example to people who don’t know about Akron. Akron’s like a tight-knit family with a large group of people."

© 2011 Weekly Reader Corporation. All images courtesy of Billy Soule/Akron PeaceMakers.