On January 31, Jeni Stepanek & #PeaceTeam members Laura Bauer, Barry McConatha, and Marc Birnbach accompanied former Global Teen Leader Sanah Jivani as she visited and spoke with the scholars and advisors at Furlow Charter School and led workshops about the importance of self-love.

Sanah and the rest of the team participated in a #ToastToPeace event at Toboggan Steve’s later that afternoon. Hosted by owner Steve Miller; musicians Abe Partridge, Brandon Fox, Evan Barber and Taylor Cook lent their talents to the cause, raising awareness of the need to #ChoosePeace for self, family, friends, community, and the world. By helping to #MakePeaceTheNews, Toboggan Steve’s became the first #PeaceCertified live music venue/bar/restaurant in Georgia.

Yasmin Hasnain, owner of Yasmin’s Art Classes, became #PeaceCertified by the Mattie J.T. Stepanek Foundation on February 1. Yasmin reflected on one of Mattie’s poems and considered how the message touched her heart and supported her in choosing peace. She responded to that message with a beautiful piece of art from her heart. She then chose to go to the next level and reach out with the message – inviting teenage young ladies with their mothers and friends to come to her studio to learn more about Mattie and the messages he shared for all of us, and then create their own peace expressions.

Jeni was the closing speaker at the Building Creative Communities Conference in Colquitt, GA on February 2. In its third year, BC3 is an annual convergence of community change agents that takes place in the tiny, artsy town of Colquitt, Georgia. At this transformational gathering, changemakers from down the road and around the world develop tools for story sharing, creative leadership, and collaboration.

Mattie Foundation #PeaceTeam members were thrilled to participate in the 2020 Night to Shine at First Baptist Church in Americus on Friday, February 7. Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 16 and older.

During the second week of February, Jeni held follow-up meetings with advisors and scholars at Furlow Charter School , the first #PeaceCertified School in the south. Jeni enjoys her role as “Mama Peace”, mentoring youth from Kindergarten through High School there.

On February 11, Jeni talked with peers at the Perry Wellness Center before speaking to the Rotary Club of Americus.

On Valentine’s Day, Jeni addressed the first cohort of Georgia Southwestern State University students enrolled in the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program.