{"id":38756,"date":"2018-06-23T10:17:08","date_gmt":"2018-06-23T14:17:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=38756"},"modified":"2018-07-19T13:36:29","modified_gmt":"2018-07-19T17:36:29","slug":"peacebuilder-of-the-year-annette-lantz-simmons-honored-for-kansas-city-work-at-spi-luncheon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2018\/peacebuilder-of-the-year-annette-lantz-simmons-honored-for-kansas-city-work-at-spi-luncheon\/","title":{"rendered":"Peacebuilder of the Year Annette Lantz-Simmons honored at SPI luncheon"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bringing a new sense of justice to multiple city venues \u2013 neighborhoods, courts and prisons, schools and more \u2013 is a challenge that requires focus, patience and an empowering spirit. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne bite at a time. That\u2019s all you can do,\u201d said <\/span>2018 Peacebuilder of the Year<\/span><\/a> Annette Lantz-Simmons<\/strong> at the June 13 luncheon ceremony in her honor during the Summer Peacebuilding Institute (SPI) at Eastern Mennonite University.<\/span><\/p>\n

The executive director of the Center for Conflict Resolution (CCR) in Kansas City, Missouri, is the fourth recipient of the annual recognition of a graduate of EMU\u2019s <\/span>Center for Justice and Peacebuilding<\/span><\/a> (CJP). She first attended SPI in 2005 and earned a master\u2019s degree in conflict transformation in 2009.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Annette Lantz-Simmons is CJP’s 2018 Peacebuilder of the Year. She was recognized during a Summer Peacebuilding Institute Horizons of Change luncheon.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In her acceptance speech, she highlighted CCR\u2019s programs. The organization offers neighborhoods and families group facilitation, conflict resolution and mediation training, and trauma and circle workshops; has assisted the city in implementing \u2013 and anticipates expanding \u2013 restorative justice practices in schools; offered restorative processes and trauma and conflict resolution trainings in prisons, reentry facilities, and courts; and provided various organizations with group facilitation, trainings, trauma awareness and mediation. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCCR is an example of what it takes to do real peacebuilding and effect significant change, beyond the boundaries of mediation,\u201d said CJP academic programs director Jayne Docherty<\/strong> in remarks about Lantz-Simmons. \u201cIt takes long-term vision and teamwork to actually make significant transformation in systems, and not just resolve conflicts. The vision that you have held is a big vision for a less violent and more just city, and that is what we love to see.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Affirmations<\/b><\/h3>\n

In a video made by CCR staff for the occasion, founder Diane Kyser<\/strong> praised Lantz-Simmons as having \u201cbrought this agency to incredible places because of the vision that she has had and then dedicated [herself] to pursue.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all know how wonderful Annette is, and we\u2019re especially pleased that now the rest of the world has a chance to discover that, too,\u201d she said.<\/span><\/p>\n

CCR staff described Lantz-Simmons as \u201cintuitive,\u201d \u201cimaginative,\u201d \u201cinspiring,\u201d and \u201ccaring,\u201d and called her a \u201cnon-anxious presence\u201d with the \u201ccourage to gently nudge change.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In later emails, CCR mediator and classroom facilitator Jackie Buycks<\/strong> said that Lantz-Simmons has empowered her to be creative in her restorative justice work in schools. Mediator Jaylon Verser<\/strong> said she has worked to understand him in order \u201cto know how she can best assist me in my work.\u201d And volunteer Barbara Axton<\/strong> said that her \u201clistening skills, depth of training and compassionate heart\u201d mean that Lantz-Simmons can \u201c\u2018be with\u2019 each of us as we follow our own minds and hearts and create our path of peace in the organization.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Educated and knowledgeable staff\u2019<\/b><\/h3>\n

CCR has strong ties to CJP, as CCR founder Kyser and three staff have completed graduate degrees. <\/span><\/p>\n

Gregory Winship<\/strong>, <\/span>the first graduate of CJP’s<\/a><\/span>\u00a0graduate program in restorative justic<\/a>e, wrote in an email that Lantz-Simmons is dedicated to having \u201ceducated and knowledgeable staff\u201d at CCR.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe commitment of undertaking a master\u2019s degree requires a great deal of time,\u201d Winship wrote. \u201cAnnette afforded me not only the flexibility in my work schedule, but also the support and encouragement to be able to accomplish that undertaking.\u201d That included granting him a \u201cwork sabbatical\u201d even though it meant losing one of CCR\u2019s four full-time staff for five months, \u201ca huge burden on the remaining staff,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Debbie Bayless<\/strong>, a mediator who works with neighborhoods and various court diversion programs, completed her degree in restorative justice in May 2018. She noted that Lantz-Simmons \u201cchallenges conventional methods with her peacebuilding lens. She empowers by leading by example, stepping out of her comfort zone to do what she truly believes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, former CCR education strategist (and Annette\u2019s daughter) Mikhala Lantz-Simmons<\/strong> earned a master\u2019s degree in conflict transformation in 2015, which continues to inform her work with Absolunet, an eCommerce and digital marketing agency based in Montreal, Canada.<\/span><\/p>\n

The award<\/b><\/h3>\n

The <\/span>Peacebuilder of the Year Award<\/span><\/a> recognizes \u201calumni who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to its mission of supporting conflict transformation, restorative justice, trauma healing, development, organizational leadership and peacebuilding efforts at all levels of society,\u201d said CJP executive director Daryl Byler.<\/span><\/p>\n

All of the 638 alumni who have earned master\u2019s degrees or graduate certificates in conflict transformation or restorative justice from CJP are eligible for the award. <\/span><\/p>\n

Past recipients\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n