Our Mission

In response to the social, emotional, and environmental crises of today, Elements of Peace aims to help youth and educators to develop inner resources and skills for compassion, resilience, environmental stewardship, and peace.

Our Vision

  1. Proactively respond to the youth mental health crisis through community connection, yoga, contemplative & creative arts from diverse traditions, nature immersion, peace skills, and exploration of meaning.

  2. Bridge divides between disparate local communities (e.g. based on income, legal status, racial/ethnic/cultural background) and counter polarization through diverse facilitators and cohorts (majority BIPOC) and emphasis on authentic connection, collaborative community cultivation, and love over ego.

  3. Make peace a priority and kindness cool again for the benefit of all living beings and our planet!

Our Team

Elements of Peace is developed and led by highly qualified, passionate, and diverse contemplative educators who believe in our youth and the power of love and peace to transform the world. We prioritize having fun, uplifting one another, being intentional, and walking our talk. Below are just some of the amazing people that make these programs happen! If you are interested in being part of our growing team of Charlottesville/Albemarle contemplative educators, contact elementsofpeaceprogram@gmail.com! 

Team Leads

  • Polina Mischenko, Founder, Director

    Polina has over 20 years of global education experience, including 9 years locally. At the University of Virginia (UVA), she developed, directed, researched, and led social-emotional learning (SEL), mindfulness, and yoga programs for 800+ children and 200+ educators, primarily in public schools as Director of the Charlottesville Compassionate Schools Project. She is a Certified Iyengar Yoga Teacher, experienced in facilitating CARE for Educators, and holds a B.S.B.A from Boston University, M.Ed from Harvard University, and PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from UVA.

  • Freddy Jackson, Program Lead & Developer

    Founder of Love No Ego Foundation. Freddy Jackson, has 20-plus years working with young people, including those at-risk. He holds Master’s degrees in Psychology and Organizational Development & Leadership and is the SEL Coach for ACPS. The Foundation has successfully organized numerous multi-day programs for local youth under his leadership.

  • Rissa Tutia, Board Member, Program Lead & Developer

    Rissa Tutia holds a Master’s in Somatic Counseling Psychology-Dance/ Movement Therapy from Naropa University. As Program Manager at Tom Tom and Youth Summit organizer, she has extensive community connections. She is also a substitute teacher, certified yoga/meditation teacher, and owner of an eco-culinary business.

  • Dingani Mthethwa, Board Member, Facilitator

    Dingani Mthethwa has over 23 years in education, including leading youth programs to South Africa, running a charity for orphans, and serving as teacher and Director of Mindfulness at Journey Middle School.

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Vision Statement

We envision a world where community leaders, educators, and youth from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ethnicities come together as stewards of peace, collaborating to build a more compassionate society, locally and globally.

Inclusion and bridging divides between disparate local communities is woven into the fabric of our organization and our offerings. We aim to support the greater Charlottesville area in cultivating a community where diversity is embraced and equity is prioritized. Our programs also gently raise awareness of global cultures, traditions, history, and present-day social and ecological challenges to support youth in developing perspective-taking skills, empathy, and self-awareness in the context of all living beings on this planet.

Within our organization, we strive to foster an inclusive environment where individuals, regardless of their background or identity, feel valued and empowered.

Elements of Peace is deeply grateful for the donors and partners that promote our programs, advise them, and make them accessible to all youth regardless of income. We are especially grateful for the Love No Ego Foundation for being our partner in program development and fiscal sponsor. Please see below for some of our partners and major donors. If you are interested in becoming a partner or donor please contact: elementsofpeaceprogram@gmail.com

Partners

Donors