Our February Share the Plate Partner is Gideon’s Army

Gideon’s Army is a community-based, grassroots organization that works to design programs based on contemporary interpretations of the theory of restorative justice. Gideon’s Army is currently the only local organization in Nashville that focuses solely on dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline through social activism by children in the prison pipeline, their families, and their community. Utilizing research-based best practices combined with community outreach, Gideon’s Army builds its restorative justice programs based upon this information and uses program results to guide its policy work. Through intensive volunteer and community training as well as dialogue, we as a community lead and work together throughout the entire process.

The organization uniquely emphasizes youth empowerment and community member leadership as well as direct interfacing with families, the juvenile courts, and the public school system. Gideon’s Army facilitators, mentors, and other volunteers are members of the North Nashville community, who train fellow youth, educators, and others in continuing the process of educating. This training structure creates a positive cyclical pipeline based in restorative juice to combat the destructive effects of the school to prison pipeline.

MISSION

Our mission is to act collectively, boldly and strategically as a unified force for all children. We eliminate the root causes of the prison pipeline, save our children from death and incarceration and guide them on a secure path to success.

We will not stop until the pipeline is dismantled.  We will not quit on our children.

VISION

Gideon’s Army will change the way Nashville understands, views, and creates community.  We will be the strongest, most effective grassroots army for children, generating a new, courageous group of leaders. We lead with razor-sharp focus and with a clear vision for breathing meaning, hope, and love back into our communities.

Gideon's Army Secures Historic Partnership with the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP)

Gideon's Army proudly announces a groundbreaking partnership with the internationally acclaimed Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). This historic collaboration marks the first time IEP has partnered with a local organization in the United States to programmatically address positive peace within a community deeply impacted by gun violence.

This initiative, driven by North Nashville youth, primarily graduates of Pearl Cohn High School, is poised to create a framework for building peace in violence-impacted communities that could have a profound national impact.

Founder Rasheedat Fetuga expressed her excitement “This historic partnership with the Institute for Economics and Peace is nothing short of groundbreaking, not just for Nashville but for the entire Nation. I am overjoyed at the opportunity to collaborate with IEP in our shared mission to create a more peaceful world. Our journey begins in North Nashville, but the ripple effect of this partnership has the potential to impact communities far and wide. This marks the start of a transformative plan for our city.”

Michael Collins, Executive Director of IEP Americas, shared his perspective on the collaboration: “We believe in the power of positive peace to transform communities and societies. By partnering with Gideon's Army, we aim to demonstrate the effectiveness of community-led initiatives in reducing U.S. gun violence and building sustainable peace.”

The IEP will closely observe and evaluate the pilot project, seeking proof of concept for community-based positive peace initiatives. This partnership signifies a monumental step forward in addressing systemic issues, offering hope and possibilities for communities nationwide grappling with the devastating impact of gun violence.

In their relentless pursuit of creating positive change within their community, Gideon's Army is actively engaged in fundraising efforts to secure the necessary resources for this groundbreaking initiative. The organization recognizes that financial support is crucial to the project's success and is committed to exploring various avenues for funding. 

The Positive Peace Framework, a transformative approach to building sustainable peace, serves as the cornerstone of this historic partnership between Gideon's Army and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP). Unlike traditional "negative peace," which focuses solely on the absence of violence, Positive Peace delves deeper. It encompasses the attitudes, institutions, and structures that foster peace, offering a more holistic and forward-looking perspective on peacebuilding. Dr. King himself highlighted the distinction between negative and positive peace, underscoring that merely removing tension falls short of intentionally creating true justice and freedom.

In this pioneering partnership, Gideon's Army and IEP will harness the power of the Positive Peace Framework to create a model for fostering peace within communities impacted by gun violence. Starting in North Nashville's 37208 community, this initiative aims to demonstrate the framework's effectiveness and potential for broader adoption in Nashville and across the United States. Together, they will work to shift the narrative, empower youth, and pave the way for peaceful, resilient communities.

The Institute for Economics and Peace is a globally respected organization committed to shifting the world's perspective on peace. Founded by IT entrepreneur and philanthropist Steve Killelea in 2007, IEP has made significant contributions to the fields of security, defense, terrorism, and development.

IEP's groundbreaking Positive Peace Framework (PPF) offers a unique and empirical understanding of the qualities that characterize the world's most peaceful societies. This systemic approach recognizes the interdependence of different pillars of positive peace, providing a transformative lens for peacebuilding, development, and policy-making.

For more information about the Institute for Economics and Peace, please visit IEP's website.