Folks, have a peek at some images from our Launch Event on October 6th -- at which we celebrated 30 years as a program of Safe Horizon, and embraced our future as the independent New York Peace Institute.  Thanks to all who came out to show your support for our mission to build peace in New York City and Beyond!300 of our closest friends celebrating our launch at the Helen Mills Event Space.

Kings County District Attorney Charles J. Hynes, recipient of the first New York Peace Prize.  DA Hynes truly believes that people can change, and he championed our Criminal Court Victim-Offender Mediation Program.

CEO Brad Heckman presenting CeaseFire's Ameena Matthews with the first Get In The Middle Medal, for her heroic work stopping violence in its tracks in Chicago.

Our fabulous Director of Programs, Michele Kirschbaum

Our equally fabulous Director of Operations, Elena Sapora

Safe Horizon's CEO Ariel Zwang, officially spinnng us off.  Her team worked tirelessly over the past year and a half to set us up as an independent non-profit organization.

CEO Brad (second from left) with some of the Safe Horizon superstars who made the spin-off possible: Rafail Portnoy, Denise Hagley, and Chimwemwe Bobe

Virtuoso musicians Dave Miller and Mark Woodyatt donated their incredible talents to the event.

Big thanks to Voli Vodka for their sponsorship, and creation of the event's signature drinks -- the Mangotiator and the Razzolution.

Dr. Sarah Davies and husband Dr. Alan Gross, New York Peace Institute Board member and August Mensch of the Month.

New York Peace Institute Board member Gay Rosenblum-Kumar, flanked by happy guests.

Julian Adler and Jessica Colon, our friends from the Center for Court Innovation's Red Hook Community Justice Center

Get in The Middle Medalist Ameena Matthews flanked by heroic Crown Heights Save Our Streets violence interrupters

Renowned Scottish mediator Ewan Malcom and NYPD Deputy Inspector Amin Kosseim

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from http://thehecklist.wordpress.com