Peacemaker Award
The Peacemaker Award is designed to recognize a member of the community who has made a significant difference in promoting tolerance, building good will and understanding, resolving conflict, and striving for peace. This person demonstrates a sustained dedication to fostering peace within the Upstate and actively works to create harmony and resolve tensions among individuals, communities, or groups.
The award will be given during Nation Conflict Resolution Week at the Upstate Mediation Center’s Peacemaking Celebration to honor UMC Volunteers and this year’s Peacemaker!
The UMC’s Peacemaker Award Committee will be looking for nominees that use innovative techniques or ideas that show appreciable change in our community; people who live kind, compassionate, and generous lives. For example, the person may have established a mentoring program, created a safe place for children after school, developed a creative fundraiser, or worked in a peer program that showed improvement in bullying.
Now Accepting Entries for 2025
2024 Peacemaker
Halla Banafa, LMSW – Pendleton Place
The Upstate Mediation Center (“UMC”) is delighted to announce Halla Banafa as the UMC’s 2024 Peacemaker.
As the Director of Residential Services at Pendleton Place, Ms. Banafa has been a transformative leader, pioneering vital programs for vulnerable youth, including emergency shelter, residential foster care, and transitional living services. Her holistic, inclusive, and low-barrier approach ensures that all youth feel valued and supported, fostering resilience and healthy communication skills. Moreover, Ms. Banafa’s impact extends beyond direct service; she has played a crucial role in developing effective crisis de-escalation and conflict mediation strategies, empowering both staff and youth to resolve disputes constructively.
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About the Event
The 2024 Peacemaker Award Celebration was held on Tuesday, October 15th at Endeavor. See some photos below from the 2023 event.
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