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Leslie Kearney was elected as the third president of our chapter, following John Paton’s resignation.
During April 26 - May 4, we hosted our eighth OW delegation, men, women, and a facilitator from Russia, focused on “National Parks and Forests.” We visited Los Padres National Forest, Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, Channel Islands NP, Santa Monica Mountains, TreePeople, and the National Parks Conservation Association. They presented their national parks at the United Church of Christ, Simi Valley, and at Royal High School, Simi Valley. Like all other delegations, they visited the office of Congressman Sherman. At the August meeting, Joan reported that 13,561 pillowcases have been delivered since January 2013. We donated another $2,000 to continue the People Pillowcases project. During December we hosted our seventh OW delegation, men, women, and a facilitator from Russia, focused on “National Parks and Forests.” We visited Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area, Joshua Tree National Park, Channel Islands National Park, the National Parks Conservation Association. This was the first time we had to take a delegate to a hospital for out-patient surgery; the outcome was satisfactory. We donated $500 to “People Pillowcases,” which now delivers monthly to Covenant House as well as to DCFS, LA County. Natalie Besse attended a ceremony in Ghana for the opening of a new library which she helped to build. Soraya Deen attended a Woman’s Conference in Africa, encouraging women to work together to become independent.  Gjirokastër, Albania For the first time, we lost two members through death, Frank McGinnis and Frank Camilleri, close friends of each other and longstanding members who have done great service to our chapter of PTPI.
During November 4 - 12, we hosted our sixth OW delegation, five men and women and a facilitator from Albania, focused on “Youth and Elections.” Like previous delegations, they presented their country to a group at the United Methodist Church and to the Rotary Club, Simi Valley. They visited Democratic and Republican offices, observed voting stations on election day, and watched the processing of Simi Valley ballots at the end of the day. We donated $1,800 to “People Pillowcases” and PTPI granted $1,500. Since January 2013, 7,699 pillowcases have been delivered. Natalie Besse visited PTPI chapters in Togo and Ghana. The Ghana president has adopted her name and is now called Clement Badu Besse.  During February 1 - March 1, we hosted our fifth OW delegation, two women, two men, and a facilitator from Kosovo, focused on “Minority Inclusion.” In the photo above, they are hearing from Officer Kathy Thompson of the LA Police Department. We visited the LA Human Relations Commission, Urban League, Ventura County offices, public schools, LAPD, a synagogue, USC religious center.
In June, Joan and John visited the PTPI chapter in Korca, Albania. In Pristina, Kosovo, they were hosted overnight by a delegation member and the facilitator. We learned that Shenaj (flowered skirt) had been inspired by our gift of a handmade pillowcase to apply to USAID for a grant to teach sewing to young people who lack skills. She received a grant of $10,000 and will put the product into operation in the fall. Homestays for two young men from Milano, Italy. Luca stayed with two families for a week each, and Andrea stayed with three families for a week each. Again, we donated $2,000 to “People Pillowcases,” which has surpassed 6,000 pillowcases delivered since 2013. PTPI also granted $2,000. Our member Natalie Besse joined the board of PTPI International.  We granted $1,500 to a new project, “People Pillowcases.” Flannel pillowcases are being made by a team of women, and they are being given to children on their first night in the custody of LA County. PTPI also granted $2,000 to People Pillowcases, and Joan delivered 1,000 pillowcases before the end of the year.
We donated $535 to PTPI Togo, as that was half the cost of re-building a collapsed roof at a village school. PTPI Togo members did the construction work. During September 7 - 15, we hosted our third Open World delegation, five men and women from Moldova, focused on “Youth Leadership.” We visited public schools at three levels, the office of a city councilman, a chamber of commerce, a Boys and Girls Club, the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, a finance training center for youth, Homeboy Industries, and Boy and Girl Scouts. In the photo, taken at the farewell party, they show off gifts of Dodgers baseball caps and Joan’s custom made pillowcases.  We granted $1,500 to a new project, “People Pillowcases.” Flannel pillowcases are being made by a team of women, and they are being given to children on their first night in the custody of LA County. PTPI also granted $2,000 to People Pillowcases, and Joan delivered 1,000 pillowcases before the end of the year.
We donated $535 to PTPI Togo, as that was half the cost of re-building a collapsed roof at a village school. PTPI Togo members did the construction work. During September 7 - 15, we hosted our third Open World delegation, five men and women from Moldova, focused on “Youth Leadership.” We visited public schools at three levels, the office of a city councilman, a chamber of commerce, a Boys and Girls Club, the LA Gay & Lesbian Center, a finance training center for youth, Homeboy Industries, and Boy and Girl Scouts. In the photo, taken at the farewell party, they show off gifts of Dodgers baseball caps and Joan’s custom made pillowcases.  We welcomed PTPI Togo as a sister chapter. Their founder, Newlove Bobson Atiso, lives in Lomé, Togo.
During April 27 - May 5, we hosted our second Open World delegation, five men and women from Georgia, focused on “Societal Inclusivity.” We visited the LA Human Relations Commission, the Sheriff of LA County, the Simi Valley Civic Center, the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, and the ACLU. We conferred with leaders in the LA Unified School District at several levels and heard a talk on constitutional law. We donated $100 to PTPI Togo to purchase school supplies for children who live in rural villages. During May 16 - 14, we hosted our first delegation under the Open World program, consisting of 5 men and a facilitator from Baku, Azerbaijan. Their program focused on religious tolerance, with visits to a Russian Orthodox church, a Bahai center, the Museum of Tolerance, an Adventist hospital, the religious studies department of CSUN, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, a Buddhist temple, a synagogue, an Islamic center, and the Sheriff of LA County.  Museuam of Tolerance, Los Angeles (Source: Cbl62 at English Wikipedia)  Chinese Embassy, Washington Photo credit: wikipedia user Krokodyl 2010 – President Marsha Wallace, who founded the LA chapter, moved to New Mexico. Vice President John Paton became president.
Homestay for Mr and Mrs Zhou Zhiyang from Beijing, China, under the Meet the Diplomat program. He is Third Secretary of Congressional Affairs in the Chinese Embassy, Washington, DC. She is a graduate student in England, visiting for the holidays. Mr Zhou visited the Chinese consulate and found an old friend there. The chapter donated $200 to a Language Ambassador project, bringing an English teacher to the PTPI chapter in Roman, Romania. Marsha delivered the check when she attended the European PTPI conference in Pecs, Hungary. |
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PTPI encourages participation in a wide variety of programs that advance Peace through Understanding. Local chapters, such as PTPI LA, are made up of volunteers in communities worldwide who support these PTPI programs and participate in unique activities locally while reaching out at the international level.
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