Here begins the summer of my nonviolent journey with Pace e Bene and the Metta Mentors program.  Located in Berkeley, CA, the Metta Center for Nonviolent Education runs an annual mentorship program in San Francisco and the Bay Area.  An immersion program in applied nonviolence, the Metta Mentors pair students of nonviolence with partner organizations in the area to gain work experience in practical, social change.  For ten weeks, we (the mentees) work with our various partner organizations from Monday to Thursday.  I have been assigned to Pace e Bene along with my fellow mentee, Nick Kauffman, to be Project Coordinators of their Nonviolent Stories Project.  The goal of the project is to publish a book sharing stories of successful nonviolent action in the Pace e Bene community.  Ultimately, we hope these stories will inform and inspire others who seek to understand the impacts of nonviolent education and living.  From Monday to Thursday, I come to the Pace e Bene office in Oakland to work on this project.  (Incidentally, if you have a story you would like to share for this book, please fill out this questionnaire or contact me at the Oakland office before the end of the summer to schedule an interview.)

Fridays, however, are a bit different.  Each Friday, all of the mentees gather to share our stories, reflect on our experiences, and participate in workshops and training in nonviolence.  Each week has a different theme.  I welcome you to join me on my journey as I share with the Pace e Bene community what I learn during the course of my internship.