2024 Upstate Mediation Center
Peacemaker Award

ABOUT THE UPSTATE MEDIATION

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.

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!

A selection committee made up of UMC’s Executive Committee and representatives from our corporate sponsors 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 fund-raiser, or worked in a peer program that showed improvement in bullying.

Halla Banafa, LMSW - 2024 Peacemaker Award Recipient

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.

LEARN MORE

About the Event

The 2024 Peacemaker Award Celebration will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at Endeavor.  See some photos below from the 2023 event.

Now Accepting Entries for 2025

Request a Mediation

Please request your court mandated (Family Court or Court of Common Pleas) mediation below.
Our team will be in contact regarding scheduling finalization and details. Mediation is not scheduled until confirmed by the Mediation Coordinator, Zoey Klein.

Who We Are

Learn about Upstate Mediation Center’s mission and impacts.

News

Read about what Upstate Mediation Center is up to and how they’re impacting others.

Fees

Get quality mediation from Upstate Mediation Center for low, flat fees.

Get Involved

Support Upstate Mediation Center by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness.