\”When I received word that Dwayne Peace was writing a book to expand and reach out to a wider audience with his message I was very excited. I have been a Secondary School Principal for over 20 years and have worked in 3 high schools on the brink of closure to see them thrive to the top of their districts. In every school I have been a Principal in, Dwayne Peace has been integral to this process. It is my hope that his book will be the tipping point for schools and districts deciding to invite him in for his “Life’s Synergy for Youth” presentations and workshops. Dwayne’s workshops change the culture of a school community immediately for the positive.
A school community in which less than 40% of the students and parents surveyed responded they felt safe at school, transformed into a safe, joyous community where 100 % of the students and parents surveyed in later years responded they felt safe and cared for. Not just a one-year response; but 100 % of the population feeling Safe and Cared for THREE YEARS IN A ROW! Dwayne’s message and small group sessions “Life’s Synergy for Youth” was the tipping point for such school culture transformation. He connects with staff and students as well as parents and mediates a culture where youth immediately feel that staff and parents are there to support them.
The information Dwayne provides to students is greatly appreciated by youth. They understand and relate directly to his message and you can immediately see youth connect with Dwayne and feel safe and comforted by the fact they see an adult who understands and cares about their world. Understanding what goes on below the water line. They appreciate his message. I have been with a gym full of over 900 students where everyone of them sat completely engaged with Dwayne even though the lunch bell rang!
Dwayne’s work with youth in small group sessions will have the most profound impact in creating a positive, open, communicative culture with youth. Young people greatly appreciate that somebody finally “gets them”, understands their fears and struggles and gives them real answers about how to deal with situations, and real-life struggles. They connect immediately with Dwayne and he provides the distinct tipping point within a school culture transformation where students become completely at ease and truly recognize that school staff and parents are there to support them. I have become close friends, allies and supporters with even the most difficult, disconnected students as a result of the connections made through Dwayne’s mediated small group sessions.
Taking School Staff and Parents below the water line; Dwayne’s information, and more importantly, the message woven around the information, connects with students. He provides a depth of information, knowledge and wisdom that let’s youth know “he gets it.” It will, and has for my schools, open lines of communication and embedded a deep sense of trust; connecting youth with all adults in the school. It provides youth an understanding that there is a safety net; a caring support network of adults there for them.
I will continue to have Dwayne Peace bring his information to my schools and communities and I am greatly thankful to have a resource such as Dwayne supporting youth in areas below the water line. Drugs, alcohol, social media, personal relationships, etc. etc. all provide far greater pressure on youth and I am greatly thankful for an ally in support of families and youth in caring for and supporting young people.\”
