On Thursday, November 21 at 12 PM the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce was happy to present this year’s YMCA Peace Medal to Sheatre!

Sheatre is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1985 by Joan Chandler at the request of Huron County residents who wanted to tell their own stories and address rural issues using theatre. Since then Sheatre has reached 142,775 youth and adults in Canada, the US and England through the creation and production of 112 original plays, employed over 500 unique artists, and engaged almost 9,900 people in 1, 240 workshops and events.

Sheatre inspires transformative learning and change through interactive theatre, music, music theatre, dance, writing, film and visual arts by, for and about communities specializing in Forum Theatre and Theater of the Oppressed. Sheatre works primarily in rural and small urban communities with collaborative projects often engaging excluded populations and addressing high risk social issues.

The YMCA Peace Medal was developed in 1987 by the International Committee at the YMCA of Fredericton. That year, this committee of volunteers and staff was tasked with developing Peace Week support materials for YMCAs across the country. The YMCA Peace Medal is presented to individuals or groups who, without any special resources, demonstrate a commitment to the values of PEACE through contributions made within their local, national or global community. Peacemakers are recognized for promoting and inspiring Participation, Empathy, Advocacy, Community and Empowerment. The presentation takes place yearly during YMCA Peace Week. Since 1987, here at our YMCA, we have honoured 22 people and 11 groups from our community, who inspire us with their actions.

Sheatre joins an ilustrious collection of previous medal recipients, 30 individuals and groups that have been recognized by the Y over the past three decades and more.

source: media release