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.
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.
The 2024 Peacemaker Award Celebration will be held on Tuesday, October 15th at Endeavor. See some photos below from the 2023 event.
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ABOUT US
The Upstate Mediation Center (UMC) is a community based non-profit organization providing high-quality, affordable mediation services to individuals, families, and businesses in conflict in the Upstate of South Carolina. Since its creation in 1999, the UMC has provided mediation services in hundreds of conflicts each year.
2024 Cotton Harness Peace Award RecipientCONTACT INFORMATION
PHONE: (864) 370-9771
FAX: (864) 370-9715
EMAIL: info@upstatemediation.com
ADDRESS: 27 Cleveland Street, Suite 101, Greenville SC, 29601