Welcome new PJC staff and other news/events

Exciting things are happening at the PJC: from the launch of our online store to the addition of two new fabulous staff members, we’re making big moves, and we’re excited to share them with you!

-Kina Thorpe, PJC Educational Program Manager

Click here to for the quarterly Peace & Justice Center Newsletter

December 8, 2020

Views expressed by entities outside of the Peace & Justice Center do not necessarily represent the views of the PJC.

The PJC is hiring an Executive Director. Click here to be redirected to our website for more information and to apply.

Welcome new PJC Staff

We are so excited to welcome two new staff members to the Peace & Justice Center family! Arima Minard has joined as the Special Events and Community Engagement Manager, and Mac Thompson has joined as the Assistant Store Manager. Read more about them below!

Arima (she/her) was born in Pennsylvania to resilient and inspirational 1st generation Korean immigrants, Arima first went overseas at the age of 16 to study in Sydney, Australia and has committed to cultural immersion ever since, having visited 30 countries and all 50 states, as well as having studied, worked and lived in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Seoul, London, Freiburg, Paris and Madrid. She holds an MA in Refugee Studies from the University of East London and a BA in Russian & Eastern European Studies from Oberlin College and has spent nearly 15 years as an experiential event professional before settling in Waterbury, Vermont 6 years ago with her partner. 

Becoming acquainted with the work of the Peace & Justice Center of Vermont has created the groundwork, support and resources for her to challenge herself and find energizing personal growth. Eager to be in service to her community and in particular, the BIPOC community of Vermont, Arima was thrilled when the PJCVT extended her a warm welcome to join as the Special Events and Community Engagement Manager. Arima is grateful to be part of an organization led by passionate individuals who are committed to the lifelong journey towards antiracism, healing community and collective liberation. More than anything, Arima loves family and friends, being in nature, thinking about, cooking and especially eating food, live music and of course, bringing collaborative passion to life through connection, the sharing of experiences, emotion and vulnerability, creating community and events that bring people discovery, peace, self reflection, empathy and joy.

Contact: Arima@pjcvt.org

Mac (they/them) joined The Peace & Justice Center staff in 2020, after volunteering and working seasonally with the Center since they moved to Vermont in 2016. They have been involved in a variety of activist organizations in the past, working and volunteering in food security, environmental protection, and labor justice. Mac’s family immigrated to the Bronx from Glasgow, Scotland after being blacklisted from coal mining as a result of the 1926 UK General Strike. Carrying forward this heritage of resistance is incredibly important to them. They grew up in Central Florida and bring with them the experience of growing up trans and gay in the American South. They are excited to be able to work with a team they trust on projects that matter to them and their community. Mac is passionate about literature, socio-political history, and the choice to make and consume small art. They live in the Old North End with their cat, Ruth.

Contact: Mac@pjcvt.org

From the Blog: GivingTuesday for Niger and Nepal

For Giving Tuesday, the PJC is sharing the proceeds of your donations with the Kaouritel Cooperative in Niger and US Sherpa in Nepal, two Fair Trade cooperatives that we work with through our store. Read more about them below, and please support them through our Giving Tuesday fund here! You can support other small producers in the global south by shopping at our online store here.

-Rachel Siegel, PJC Executive Director

Kaouritel Cooperative, Niger

One of the direct trade relationships we have is with the Cooperative Artisan Kaouritel in Niger. Founded in 1993, this cooperative supports dozens of nomadic families from the Toureg and Fulani tribes. The coop members are mostly women and their primary product is exquisite, silver jewelry. The income from these sales has allowed the coop members to dig wells and build a nomadic school. They have access to a food bank that provides grains during the dry season. The coop plants trees to combat the advancement of the Sahara and Tenere deserts. Additionally, they have partnered with local musicians to preserve their culture by touring in Northern Africa and Europe. During those tours, they would also sell their jewelry.

The Peace & Justice Store is the only place in the US that sells this beautiful jewelry and with our storefront closed, we aren’t able to support them.

US Sherpa, Nepal

US Sherpa International produces fair trade, sustainable products that are handmade in Nepal by mostly marginalized women artisans. Headquartered in Williston, Vermont, they continue to work closely with their family partners in Kathmandu. This business supports close to 300 artisans in and around Kathmandu who make wool knitted products, scarves, bags, felted products, prayer flags and cashmere products.

Read More

Peace & Justice Store Now Online

The NEW online Peace & Justice Store is another way to support our mission. Experience unique shopping and find fair trade, local, and educational products crafted by small producers. Every purchase brings you closer to incredible artisans and growers… and closer to completing your holiday list!

Shop Today!

Community Calendar

All of the events listed below are happening online unless otherwise stated. This is a partial listing of event. See more in our public calendar. The PJC is not directly involved in all of these events. If you have questions about a non-PJC event, please reach out to the organization listed.

Tuesday, December 8

Wednesday, December 9

Thursday, December 10

Saturday, December 12

Sunday, December 13

Monday, December 14

Wednesday, December 16

Thursday, December 17

Saturday, December 19

Monday, December 21

Tuesday, December 22

Action Highlights:
Gifts for Kids with Incarcerated Parents
Winooski F-35s Petition

Christmas Gifts for Children with Incarcerated Parents

Hope Beneath the Tree is a volunteer-led organization that works several non-profits in Vermont and Philadelphia, as well as volunteers in prisons around the country, get gifts for children with incarcerated parents who might otherwise not receive much or anything during the Holidays. It is now run with the help of high school and college volunteers from Champlain Valley Union, Harwood, St. Johnsbury Academy high schools, as well as University of Vermont and Middlebury College.

Last year they connected over 300 children with anonymous givers. This year COVID has curtailed (or cancelled) family visitation at correctional facilities, so the gifts, which are often initiated by the incarcerated parent, will have even more significance.This year donors have the choice of buying and shipping their own gifts OR making a donation, and one of Hope Beneath the Tree’s volunteer elves will shop and ship for you. This needs to happen sooner because of postal delays and potential COVID shut downs. To sign up to donate click here. You can read more about Hope Beneath the Tree here.

Donate to Hope Beneath the Tree

Mayor Lott and Councilors: Please protect the health and well-being of Winooski’s people

Please sign this petition requesting that the Winooski City Council include an article on the ballot for the March 2021 City Meeting that would allow the city to stop the testing of the F-35s in the city.

In July 2013 and April 2018, the Council approved a resolution to oppose the F-35s, and the voters of Winooski approved an article in March 2015 opposing the F-35s.  There is no question where Winooski stands on the issue of the F-35.

Winooski residents have been tasked with gathering signatures during a pandemic while 25% Winooski households do not have access to broadband internet and 12% don’t have access to a computer.

For those who do have the ability to sign the petition to demand that the City Council address the issues of the F-35s, please take a second to do so.

Sign the Petition

Upcoming Events

All events are happening online. Registration is required
Not sure if you should pay less, more, or nothing? View our Sliding Scale document to find an amount that feels appropriate to you. 

Seeing & Disrupting Racism, Wednesday, December 16, 6-7:30pm. This introductory-level workshop defines racism and white fragility, explores how white fragility perpetuates racism, and challenges participants to consider what steps they can take to disrupt racism at every level. These workshops are not recorded. Space is limited, registration is required. Click here to register.

Winter Volunteer Gathering Thursday, December 17, 6-7pm. We will be gathering online via zoom for a short gathering to celebrate all that you have helped with this year. We hope that all volunteers past, present, and future will join us to reconnect and celebrate! Please RSVP to this evite to have access to the Zoom meeting! FREE

Prospective Facilitator Gathering, January 7, 6:30-7:45pm. Join us to learn about becoming a facilitator of our educational programs. The evening will include an overview of our programs, explanation of our educational philosophies, nuts and bolts of working for PJC, and time for you to share your experiences and interest. People from around Vermont are needed. View the Facilitator job description here. To register email Kina Thorpe at program@pjcvt.org. FREE

To learn more, visit our website or contact program@pjcvt.org

Media Reports from Occupied Palestine: The Flynn Pardon, Settlement Expansion & COVID-19 in Palestine

-Submitted by Mark Hage, Vermonters for Justice in Palestine

Reports on Flynn pardon leave out the elephant in the room: Israeli interference in US policy- Philip Weiss  

Donald Trump pardoned his former national security adviser Mike Flynn…and leading media left out a large part of the basis of Flynn’s conviction: Israeli interference in U.S. foreign policy. They said that Flynn got charged for what he did for Russia. There’s no mention of Israel.

First a look back at Flynn’s downfall. In late December 2016, during the transition, President Obama issued sanctions against Russia for election interference. That same day the Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak contacted Flynn, and Flynn called the team in Mar-a-Lago then called the ambassador back, and asked him not to escalate the situation. The next day Vladimir Putin said Russia wasn’t going to retaliate.Flynn lied about these contacts to the FBI; and he got charged.

Continue reading

Community Job Openings

Burlington City Arts is hiring a Youth and Family Programs Coordinator. This position is responsible for all administrative aspects of youth and family art programs at the BCA Studios including youth and family classes, afterschool classes, school break workshops, summer camps and other programs. Visit their website for more information.

The Northeast Kingdom Collective is hiring an Executive Director (ED). The ED works to achieve the organization’s mission through the strategic convening of community members, non-profit leaders, economic and community development professionals, and political leadership. The NEK Collaborative’s (NEKC) mission is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the NEK through coordinated economic and community development. Visit their website for more information.

Peace & Justice Center | 802-863-2345 | info@pjcvt.org | http://www.pjcvt.org
60 Lake St, Ste 1C (Next to Skinny Pancake)
Burlington, VT 05401

Center Hours
(reached via email or phone)
Monday-Friday: 10am-6pm

Store Hours
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