Helping students share their gifts with the world
By Pamela DeanThe Living Peace Foundation, originally called the Center For Living Peace, was founded in 2010 by Kelly Hallman with the help of Jeff Berkus. Hallman believed that “when we share our gifts with others, we live peace and create a ripple effect to touch our families, communities and beyond.”
The Foundation has undergone several transformations. It initially started as a center in a strip mall in Irvine, California, that offered classes for children “to connect to self, others and the world.” In 2015, the Center for Living Peace decided to change direction, becoming a foundation and relocating to Santa Barbara, that concentrates on supporting nonprofits that advance compassion, collaboration, and peace.
That’s when the Living Peace Foundation mission of “Helping people find their gifts and share them with the world” was crystallized.
The Basic Needs food pantry
Living Peace’s relationship with şŁ˝ÇÉçÇřCI began in earnest after a campus visit and tour by members of the Living Peace Foundation Board. According to Berkus, the Board was sold on supporting the University from the moment they arrived.
“We could tell this was the right place, with the right story, to bring our mission to life,” explained Berkus. “It was clear şŁ˝ÇÉçÇřCI was special and had the capacity to make efficient and effective use of our support.”
On the tour, Berkus and Hallman were joined by fellow Living Peace Board members Wendy Read and Jim Hallman. They were given an overview of the Basic Needs program, which provides emergency housing, grants, nutrition, and other assistance to students in need. They also heard a presentation from the Executive Director of Regional Educational Partnerships, Jennifer Perry, who spoke about the history and vision for sat’wiwa, a small mountain on the south side of campus that is sacred to the Chumash people who, for thousands of years, inhabited the land on which şŁ˝ÇÉçÇřCI is located.
Believing şŁ˝ÇÉçÇřCI embodies Living Peace’s vision, the Foundation has given the University several gifts to assist students, including a recent $25,000 donation to bolster the Basic Needs Program.
“Basic Needs was a natural fit,” explained Berkus. “When students don’t have to worry about sustenance, they can focus on their studies and why they are there.”
The view of şŁ˝ÇÉçÇřCI campus from sat’wiwa.
An additional $50,000 was given to support the restoration of sat’wiwa (the Chumash sacred mountain also known as Round Mountain).
During the tour, Berkus wanted to deepen his understanding of why the mountain was so meaningful to the Chumash. An avid runner, he sprinted to the top of the bluff and took note of the peaks to the west, east, and north. Due south was the ocean.
“It’s a compass,” explained Berkus. “The Chumash were honoring the path of the sun and the moon. Sat’wiwa is the perfect bluff connecting ground and sky energy. You could feel it.”
According to Berkus, the Foundation was also impressed by President Richard Yao’s understanding of the importance of human connection to nature and one another.
“We are happy to support şŁ˝ÇÉçÇřCI’s sat’wiwa restoration efforts and students’ basic needs because we believe the dialogue, the communication, and the programs are tracking with basic Indigenous principles,” said Berkus. “Each presentation we hear reinforces our excitement about our commitment and continued connection to the University.”
He added, “Each of these donations is designed to allow students to find their gifts and share them with the world.”