During an assembly on Jan. 22, Kelly Hallman and Amanda Grant from the organization Center for Living Peace spoke about the inspiration for the program as well as their latest work.

Hallman is a loving mother of two, philanthropist and the founder of Center for Living Peace. Inspired by a Mommy & Me day with her two children, one of whom is current senior Mackenzie Smith, Hallman developed the concept to inspire youth to accomplish success. She envisioned a world where people could be a driving force to improvement and where they were inspired by the value of peace.

Officially founded in 2010, Center for Living Peace encourages people to be their best selves and share their unique traits with their communities, usually through classes that help jumpstart initiatives.

“[Living Peace] works to inspire people to be the change they wish to see in the world,” Hallman said.

Beginning in 2010, Living Peace conducted the Living Peace Series in which activists and philanthropists shared their views of what it means to “live peace.” Among the speakers were entrepreneur Richard Branson, primatologist and United Nations member Jane Goodall and the XIV Dalai Lama. Also among notable speakers was Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee.

“Living peace is not just speaking peace, it’s doing peace,” Gbowee said in her speech for the series.

Furthermore, executive director for Center for Living Peace Amanda Grant shared her story on how she came to work at the organization. After working on Barack Obama’s reelection campaign in 2012 and taking time off to travel, Amanda became involved “helping people see their true value and learn to give back to make the world a better place.”

In Orange County, Living Peace has hosted thousands of classes that have served thousands of people. Living Peace shares the belief that peace can be achieved through education. The organization works to provide workshops, grants and public events designed to turn positive intentions into actions. The organization is currently developing centers at colleges such as UC Irvine and other local universities.