PTI Participants

Trainings are open to all people ages 17-25 including high school and college students, workers, and young people not employed or in school. Young people of color and others who do activism for survival, including GLBTQ, ESL/non-citizens, and working class youth, are encouraged to apply and give voice to the program. The basic PTI is an introduction to nonviolence, justice issues, and organizing for people new to the study and processes of nonviolent organizing, and also serves as a refresher for people who are experienced in personal/political activism. Local Basic PTIs range in size from 10-20 participants, National Basic PTIs generally have 18-30 participants, and Advanced PTIs are limited to a maximum of six participants.

Comments from past participants:

Steven Fransisco
South Bronx, NY

"The people of this institute are a networking tool which I will forever rely upon. It is hard to put into words just how much this program has meant to me. Thanks for the opportunity. I am forever indebted. I didn’t think I was going to be attend, but your aid made it possible."

Byron Wetzel
Williamstown, MA

"I am extremely happy that I was afforded the opportunity to come. I’ve gotten renewed inspiration to continue the struggle for social justice. I feel that change is definitely possible. I’ve left this place with hope."

Alexandra Romanos
Stoneham, MA

"Before coming to ‘Skills for Change’ I was feeling very stuck and unmotivated. This program was both empowering and renewing. I was extremely impressed. I want to thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. I will never forget this experience."

Ann Rader
Dauphin, PA

"It is hard for me to pick one part of the training program as most valuable, but probably for me it was having the opportunity to work with people from all different backgrounds and from many ethnic groups. I’ve seldom had this kind of opportunity — to break down barriers and have open frank discussions. Please keep this up."

Angela Showalter
Harrisonburg, VA

"I loved the Peacemaker Training Institute! I feel energized, supported, loaded with skills, and more self-confident. The practical skills workshops were excellent and I felt that I learned strategies for solving problems before they start."

Graduates of the Peacemaker Training Institute have done work locally and abroad, organizing within communities, campuses, school systems, and religious faiths. They have focused on issues such as nonviolence, anti-racist organizing, women’s rights, arts and activism, LGBT rights, the Middle East, nuclear disarmament, environmental issues, militarism, cross-cultural relationship building, and more. Graduates are able to network with people within the social justice community and become good resources for each other and their outreach groups.

PTI Graduates have been actively involved in the following organizations…

• The People’s Institute For Survival and Beyond
• Amnesty International
• Habitat For Humanity
• The Center On Conscious and War
• Students For Peace
• The Green Party
• Women Against Military Madness
• United For A Fair Economy
• Rising Sun
• The Fellowship of Reconciliation
• Americans Friends Service Committee

The PEACEMAKER TRAINING INSTITUTE, a project of the FOR, is made possible through generous gifts from Adele Thomas, the New York Friends Group and the Kirkridge New Generation Fund. The FOR gratefully acknowledges their support.

©2004 Fellowship of Reconciliation

Fellowship of Reconciliation
Peacemaker Training Institute
1050 Selby Ave. St. Paul, MN 55104
Phone: 651.647.4465 Email: pti@forusa.org