We are a fast-growing organization looking for new team members to help us inspire, empower, and educate young kids about the internal tools they have to live with greater well being, resilience, peace and freedom of choice.
Our 6 week internship is designed to be a mix of fun and learning, helping to unlock insights and new ideas about the mind and how we can transform our communities from the inside out. We aim to elevate our collective mindsets, explore new ways of thinking, uncover greater inner peace and the ability to pay these insight forward to the next generation.
Youth are the future and we want to give young adult leaders the skills, encouragement, and transformational insights that they need to thrive, personally, and to help others. This experience is designed to both transform the participant and allow that person to help transform their surroundings. Together we can all be part of creating change, from the inside out!
“I have learned to be more in tune with myself, I try to react to certain things a lot less now. I have been really concerned with empathy lately, and I think all the discussion we had made me more empathetic. I started to try to understand people more instead of think of why their opinion makes them wrong or bad. having such an open space to talk has really made me a more empathetic person.” – Mariah
“This internship has given me a greater understanding of my mind and its capability. I can acknowledge my emotions as temporary, which has given me the opportunity to move with the flow of life instead of being stuck on a negative feeling or destructive thought system. This internship has helped me feel better about not only myself, but also my impact upon the world. 6 weeks ago, I felt small, but now, I feel limitless.” – Julie
“What I learned in this internship is the idea of seeing a problem and finding a new way to fix it. It may take time, a little work, and some out of the box thinking but rewiring allows us to see the new perspective, ideas, and chances the less traveled road could give and make for us” – Mikah Allen
“This internship to me means going against the grain of what is normal or expected of our own minds. It means turning away from the toxic thought systems–that we allow ourselves to believe– whether about ourselves, others, or even the world we live in. Everyone has influence. When you can change your thinking, you can change the world” – Cambria Khayat
“It’s easy to think negatively but it yields more harmful results. Whereas thinking positively, however difficult that may be, leads to great change in your own life, as well as in the lives of others. When you begin to think more positively about your own life, you open up the door to being a leader and to helping others enhance their own lives” – Magdalen Rivas
The Rebels for Peace is an youth initiative co-founded in 2016 and is is currently being led by Dajohn and Patrick Jimmar. Through the Rebels Jetpack for Youth Leadership Internship, One Solution and Rebels for Peace works directly with youth from several communities in Chicago to work against violence and discover new solutions to violence while offering the education, empowerment, and support to maintain healthier, and more resilient mindsets.
Here is what Dajohn says about the Rebels for peace:
I started the Rebels for Peace to enlighten the people about the amazing power they have within themself. To educate them on that even in their darkest times they can still find the light within themself without any external factors. That they don’t need to put their pain on anyone else to brighten their spirit, and they don’t need to spend hours at therapy or take any prescription drugs to heal the pain that they feel inside. We believe that the more your mind expands the more you’ll be able to control your emotions and go through life feeling like no one in the world can pop your peace bubble. We believe people change from inside out not the other way around. And once people see that change starts from the inside they will stop looking for external factors to bring internal happiness. – Dajohn White
As a youth leader and the co-founder of Rebel’s for Peace, Dajohn’s focus is youth, and strengthening the mindsets of the youth of Chicago to find better solutions to violence beside retaliation.
Patrick Jimmar is passionate about music and the impact music can have in changing perspectives and advancing social change.
Melina strives to create an environment where young learners feel encouraged to explore their faith, ask questions, and develop a strong moral compass.
Ryan Caldwell is a dedicated leader with a remarkable three-year tenure as a returning Rebels for Peace participant. Over the past 3 years, he has cultivated his passion for nurturing the untapped potential of young individuals and became an essential catalyst for change.
“We always talk about solutions to our external issues, in reality, most of those are only short term solutions. I’ve learned that we must start from within and build stronger minds especially at a young age which is a long term solution to gun violence.”
“I’ve gotten much better with my temper because I’ve learned how to think about my reaction first and if it’s a negative one, I try to find a way to react more positively.”
“This internship taught me lessons that I could use in my everyday life that would shape me as an individual.”
“Fighting violence with violence is a never ending cycle. The internship helped me see how using our mind can truly solve problems.”
“I never thought changing the way I think could bring me peace.”
“This internship was a phenomenal experience for me, it helped me grow as a human being and it was an honor to be surrounded by very talented people.”
“I often go around and around with myself when I’m having a personal problem but this internship sort of helped me make a game plan for how to stop that cycle.”
Young men and women in Chicago (ages 18-25) who want to be a part of changing mindsets and increasing peace in their community and the city as a whole. We want people who are inspired to solve problems creatively using their talent to make their community and world a better place. We will prioritize candidates interested in working from with us from the fall.
20 hours per week.
Tentative schedule is
Monday-Thursday 4-5 hours per day.
Yes.
This program is IN PERSON, in Hyde Park.
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions.
If you have any questions or need more information, please contact [email protected]
My Project: "Chronology to Flimsy Ladies" What I learned from this internship: In terms of the mind, I learned that my mind worked as a camera with an interchangeable lens. Depending on what lens I placed over my mental camera, then bad things could appear worst than they actually were. It was up to me to switch to the positive ...
My Project: "Uplifting Voices" What I learned from this internship: the content of this internship was a reality check. It helped me put into perspective the amount of agency I need to claim moving forward into this transition in my life. I was able to think about how to engage wit anti- racism, sexism, etc. but i think it would ...
My Project: "Only my Body" What I learned from this internship: I came away as a better listener, and a less anxious speaker. I appreciate different views as long as they aren't questioning my rights to a full and equal life. I feel like I have learned to be more in tune with myself, I try to react to certain ...
What I learned from this internship: I learned methods on how to stop and think rather than go and react. I really implement this too shall pass all the time now. On top of that, I now understand that reality is a reflection of my inner self. It's very easy for me to fix my day simply by fixing my ...
My Project: "Picking up the Pieces" What I learned from this internship: It has helped me open my mind in terms of listening to people and having conversations even when I feel like I'm right and they're wrong. It has helped me be more open-minded. It's also helped me realize that change can be created in sooo many different ways. ...
About: Chandrelle Douglas is a Rebels for Peace Intern Alum, and for this summer’s Internship is going to be a Rebels for Peace Youth Leader. She’s excited to delve into videography, lead discussions on the mind and mental health, and work with a team of young change makers like herself.
Mara Gleason Olsen, Co-Founder and Director, has enjoyed working with all walks of life throughout her career, including MIT-trained physicists, UN directors, US Marines, NHL players, Microsoft managers, prisoners, the Chicago PD, and teens from Southside Chicago and Gaza. Prior to founding One Solution, she co-founded and directed One Thought, a NYC and London-based company that trained hundreds of organizational leaders from around the world. She’s also the bestselling author of One Thought Changes Everything. Mara graduated with a Master’s degree from Columbia University in 2006, and currently lives in Chicago with her husband and co-director, Eirik, and several plants that she works hard to keep alive, despite their frequent travels.
Eirik Olsen, Co-Founder and Director, Eirik Olsen became fascinated by the relationship between the mind and human capability after his experience in the military and deployment in the Middle East. He spent the next decade working with individuals, groups, organizations, executives, youth, health clinics, and programs for families and communities. After running a successful consultancy and training institute around the mind and resilience, he co-founded the One Solution Foundation to try to tackle the biggest challenges we face as humanity: conflict, war, climate change, poverty, etc by elevating the conversation around the mind as the missing key to sustainable change. He considers himself a student of humans, creativity, and the mysteries of life and loves the dance between a macro-level vision and on the ground grassroots work. He currently resides in South Side Chicago with his wife and co-founder Mara and his son Teo.
Prince Jimmar is a co-founder of Rebels for Peace and an Artist from Chicago, that's inspired about transforming his community from the inside-out. He leads and facilitates resilience training for youth from 4-8 grade in schools in south-side Chicago, and co-hosts yearly youth leadership programs, teaching aspiring leaders about resilience, wellbeing and creativity. He also has experience supporting youth currently incarcerated in juvenile prisons, teaching the same foundational training. He is a sought after speaker, hosting classes, workshops and inspiring talks to people from all walks of life.
Josh Downing, Videographer, Photographer, is a writer, director and editor originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. After receiving his B.F.A in film production at Oklahoma City University in 2016, he spent the next two years working as a freelance editor in Los Angeles and New York. He has written and directed short films that have been accepted to national and international festivals and, most recently, he co-wrote and co-directed his first feature film, "All We Have is Now." After switching gears to documentaries and non-profits, Downing wishes to use his video production skills to work for his community and shed a new light on important issues that surround the world today.
Aisat (I-Esha) Oladokun, 23, is a recent graduate from Kalamazoo College. She completed her bachelors of Arts in English and Global Health. Her plans are to pursue a Master’s in Public health to impact more communities about the importance of health, especially gun violence that impacts her neighborhood. Aisat is very dedicated to every community that she enters and has a passion for mentorship and facilitating others through workshops. Through her time in college, she was a mentor to incoming freshmen and has successfully facilitated workshops through the Kalamazoo Juvenile Home. As a member of the Rebels for Peace, Aisat is dedicated to uplifting the lives of others and strengthening mentorships through the one tool we all have, our minds!
For over thirty years, Andrew has helped people uncover their true potential through the mind. He's coached Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs, social impact leaders and students. Andrew has seen firsthand how teaching people about the mind allows them to see for themselves the innate powers they already have and is at the heart of all sustainable human change.
With One Solution, Andrew will help grow the reach of our existing programs and develop new relationships with organizations, funders, and allies who can further our mission.
WEEK 1 - THE FOUNDATION OF ACCELERATING CHANGE
Live Zoom Call + Online Content
In week one we'll host a live kick-off event on Zoom with your facilitators and the cohort of peers you’ll be going through the course with. In online content, you’ll explore why the mind is the most natural shortcut solution for accelerating change.
WEEK 2 - THE HUMAN MIND AND THE WORLD
Online Content + Reflection Activity
In this week's online content, we'll explore how the mind affects how we see and experience the world and why that's important when pursuing change. You'll complete a personal reflection on how this topic relates to your own life.
WEEK 3 - CHANGE IN INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES
Live Zoom Call + Online Content
This week will feature a live session with special guests working on change with individuals and within communities, plus online content where you’ll explore how accelerating change happens in these contexts.
WEEK 4 - CHANGE IN ORGANIZATIONS
Online Content + Reflection Activity
In this week's online content, you’ll explore how organizational change happens with videos from special guests actively working in this context. You'll complete a personal reflection activity to explore how this topic applies to your project.
WEEK 5 - CHANGE IN SYSTEMS
Live Zoom Call + Online Content
This week's session will feature special guests working on systems change, plus online content where you’ll explore how accelerating change happens in this context. You'll complete a personal reflection activity to explore how this topic applies to your project.
WEEK 6 - DEALING WITH OBSTACLES
Online Content + Personal Reflection Activity
This week will feature online content where you’ll explore how to deal with the obstacles to accelerating change. You'll complete a personal reflection activity to explore how this topic applies to your project.
WEEK 7 - BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER
Live Zoom Call + Online Content
This week's session will feature a live Zoom session and online content bringing together everything we've learned into an applicable and sustainable approach to accelerating change. You'll take all of this and put the final touches on your 90 second presentation for the Showcase Event next week!
WEEK 8 - SHOWCASE EVENT
Live Zoom Call
The Showcase event will feature YOU and the entire cohort sharing individual 90-second presentations on the project you are working on and how you have grown over the past eight weeks. Friends and family will be welcome.