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August 26, 2008  On Saturday, August 23rd the 16th Street BART Station was transformed into a public space of peace. The Youth Development Peer Network and the Mission Community Council gathered youth workers, professionals who work with or on behalf of youth, from across the Bay Area to ask people “What is your path to peace?” This question took different formats at the BART Station including informational tables from Mission Graduates, the San Francisco Buddhist Center, GirlVentures, and Public Allies of Silicon Valley; performances from Danza Azteca and Alphabet Rockers; a community peace altar; and a community art project where passers-by completed the statement “My path to peace is…”.
Dana Mandolesi, from Honoring Emancipated Youth, volunteered all day at the event. She was amazed at how inspiring the event was for all involved, including herself. “I came to help out, and I also got my professional and personal needs met. I am thinking about mentoring a girl through GirlVentures, and I am thinking about doing a meditation class at the Buddhist Center.”
 This sentiment was echoed by others as well. Emily Claassen of the Mission Community Council (MiCoCo) was thrilled at the transformation of the BART Station into a peaceful place. MiCoCo is the Community Convener of The Mission District, a role that brings services together in an effort to increase collaboration and effectiveness. Emily noted that people were really engaged in the conversation about peace. “I am surprised at how happy people are to be asked. Everyone is giving this question some deep thought.” She hopes that this event can bring some much needed peace to her community.
Our Path to Peace: The Mission District was conceived using the philosophy of the Shinnyo-en Foundation’s Six Billion Paths to Peace. Part of their philosophy includes acknowledging that “we live in an interconnected world. The actions of the people around us impact us every day […and] like a ripple in the water, each tiny act of peace reverberates out into the world expanding the experience of peace for all of us.” The goal of Our Path to Peace: The Mission District was to be a ripple.
 Jason Wyman, the Program Manager of the Youth Development Peer Network, said, “This event is only the beginning of a small and quiet revolution. Too often we see ourselves as separate communities disconnected from one another. By having this event at a BART Station, we draw attention to the fact that we are all interconnected and that one ripple here in San Francisco can be felt all the way from Pittsburgh to Colma just via BART. Who knows, maybe this ripple will become a tidal wave.”
At the end of the event, items placed on the community peace altar were handed out to passers-by. Items included plants, flowers, clothes, and art. Jason handed a basil plant to one passer-by. She then asked, “What? These are free. Why?” Jason responded, “This is an altar of peace, and we are handing out peace to those that come on by.” She responded “Thank-you. The Mission needs more of this.”
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