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Current Programs
Military recruiting and counter-recruiting at Western Washington University
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ALTERNATIVES TO MILITARY SERVICE
Since 2002, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center has been offering high school youth vital information on the realities of military promises and war; nonviolent career and educational alternatives; and Conscientious Objection. Veterans and other volunteers table once per quarter in each of Whatcom County’s nine public high schools. WPJC gives our high school youth options. WPJC also offers information and support on Conscientious Objection (CO): What is CO? How do I claim CO status? How does the draft work? This is information they will not otherwise receive from their schools. Click here for an information sheet on the Draft and Conscientious Objection to war: WPJC worked with the Bellingham School District to implement an “equal access” policy for WPJC and the military. Thanks to this partnership, high school students get exposed to enriching, exciting, and nonviolent opportunities for their futures.
Since 2002, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center has been offering high school youth vital information on the realities of military promises and war; nonviolent career and educational alternatives; and Conscientious Objection. Veterans and other volunteers table once per quarter in each of Whatcom County’s nine public high schools. WPJC gives our high school youth options. WPJC also offers information and support on Conscientious Objection (CO): What is CO? How do I claim CO status? How does the draft work? This is information they will not otherwise receive from their schools. Click here for an information sheet on the Draft and Conscientious Objection to war: WPJC worked with the Bellingham School District to implement an “equal access” policy for WPJC and the military. Thanks to this partnership, high school students get exposed to enriching, exciting, and nonviolent opportunities for their futures.
Faith in Peace
Faith in Peace is a social justice outreach project encouraging people of faith to explore the connections between their religious traditions and the rich spiritual foundations of peacemaking and nonviolence by providing specialized workshops to adult religious education and youth groups, book club gatherings, breakfasts, and scripture study groups. We are also available to table after weekly services or at special events, offering resources and inviting members to get involved in our work for positive social change.
We can tailor a workshop to meet the interests of congregations. For example, Executive Director Marie Marchand recently gave a presentation on Children as Peacemakers to 230 students at Assumption Catholic School in Mt. Vernon. In March, she visited the United Methodist Women’s Group to give a presentation on Human Trafficking. On Easter, she spoke about the work of WPJC at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship for their monthly Social Justice Collection. In February, Faith in Peace Committee Member Rev. Gary Grafwallner spoke on The Situation in Gaza at Faith Lutheran Church.
Please contact Marie at (360) 734-
Editorial Writing by Marie Marchand
Us vs. Them: The perversion of protest
April 14, 2010
Less money should be spent on wars, defense
January 13, 2010
Day of Peace offers chance to help make world better
Sunday, Sep. 13, 2009
I want my money back!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sanctuary City Pro: Support for troops should mean all of them
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Peace Day a chance to turn around a violent world
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Why Bellingham City Council should take position on Iran
July 9, 2008
Mothers know the cost of war
April 27, 2008
The president is threatening me
July 30, 2007
RESPONDING TO WORLD EVENTS:
We host, support, and co-
To sign-
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE:
Hundreds gather every year on September 21st in solidarity with people around the world. In 1982, the United Nations declared this day an annual worldwide 24-
The Veterans Outreach & Support Network (VOSN)
It is the mission of The Veterans Outreach & Support Network (VOSN) to serve alongside veterans, service members and their families in social activism, community building, and public advocacy efforts. VOSN strives to unite members of our community based on a shared respect and concern for the rights of veterans and their families, and seeks to improve the lives of veterans through the spirit of service, the pursuit of social justice, and recognition of the universal humanity in all of us.
VOSN works alongside many other organizations concerned about veterans and peace, including the Veteran Outreach Center (VOC) at Western Washington University, Veterans for Peace Chapter 111, the Washington State VA, and the Veterans Advisory Board of Whatcom County. On May 18th, we will co-
“I hope that the veterans’ program will become a model for peace organizations around the country,” states Marie Marchand, executive director of the Whatcom Peace & Justice Center. “As people concerned about peace, we honor and respect the dignity of all veterans.”
VOSN is currently leading the effort to establish a Veterans Court in Whatcom County. A Veterans Court functions much like a Drug or Mental Health Court— it recognizes that many veterans commit crimes as a result of untreated substance dependency, post traumatic stress, and/or mental illness. In a Veterans Court, vets can be presented with the option of treatment rather than incarceration. Participation improves the veteran’s chances of recovery. Recognizing the individual’s unique context, the court operates from a framework of accountability and empowerment, not retribution and punishment. Veteran Courts also address jail overcrowding and contribute to increased public safety.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gemma Veldey, Coordinator
100 E. Maple St
PO Box 2444
Bellingham, WA 98227
(360) 734-
Read Gemma Veldey's editorial piece in The Western Front.