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.
Widely known as someone who does not just speak about peace but lives it; Mr. Jain brings his values into every aspect of his life. He takes action wherever he sees opportunities to promote peace.
Among his many contributions, Mr. Jain founded the Rotary Club of Greenville’s Peace and Conflict Resolution Conferences, held in 2016, 2019, and 2022. These events gathered hundreds of students, leaders, and community members to explore interfaith understanding, forgiveness, and bias, with keynote speakers like Bawa Jain and Azim Khamisa. He has also championed conflict resolution education in schools.
Most recently, Mr. Jain conceived the idea for a Peace Park within Unity Park—now the Ahimsa Garden of Peace—and is helping to lead the project’s development. In recognition of his impact, he was recently awarded the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor.
“Mr. Jain’s lifelong commitment to peace and his tireless efforts to unite people across lines of difference have left a profound mark on our community,” said Jennifer Olmert, Executive Director of the UMC. “He not only promotes peace in principle but puts it into action in ways that are lasting, inclusive, and deeply inspiring.”
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 Peacemaker Award Celebration is held each year during National Mediation Week (the third week in October). Here are some pictures from our past events.
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, Adriana Brooks.
Learn about Upstate Mediation Center’s mission and impacts.
Read about what Upstate Mediation Center is up to and how they’re impacting others.
Get quality mediation from Upstate Mediation Center for low, flat fees.
Support Upstate Mediation Center by donating, volunteering, or spreading awareness.
