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About the
Mattie J.T. Stepanek Peace Foundation
Background
Background
The Mattie Stepanek Peace Foundation is a volunteer-based non-profit organization established in 2005. We continue the mission and legacy of the late poet and peace ambassador, Mattie J.T. Stepanek.
Mattie envisioned a world at peace. Born with a life-threatening neuromuscular disease, he spent much time in hospitals and was dependent on life-sustaining medical care throughout his “almost 14 years” on Earth. Yet, rather than focus on his losses and challenges, Mattie dedicated his life to seeking, making, and bringing peace – for individuals and for our world.
Through seven books of bestselling Heartsongs poetry and peace essays, speeches, and frequent guest appearances on shows like Oprah, Larry King, Good Morning America, and the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, Mattie shared inspirational messages of hope and meaningful and achievable choices for peace.
Our Inspiration
Mattie’s life exemplifies
the important matters of
peace, purpose, and play.
His messages encourage us
to realized and share our
Heartsongs and to celebrate
the mosaic of humanity.
His wisdom and insights
help us realize that
while an individual may
not be able to end a war,
any individual can begin
peace through choices in
thoughts, words, and actions.
Our Mission
We continue Mattie’s mission of promoting well-being and a deeper understanding of peace among youth and adults globally. Our goal is to support individuals in making peace a personal and community choice, in finding and celebrating one’s purpose, and in connecting with others through conversation and play.
Our Values
Peace
“Peace matters, peace is for all people, and peace is possible… choose peace.”
— Mattie
Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of harmony and cooperation. Conflict is natural, even healthy. Resorting to violence during disagreements is unhealthy; it interrupts peace, and it does not resolve issues. Mattie’s Foundation helps people explore how we can be with others — even people we disagree with — in kind, non-judgmental, and supportive ways.
Purpose
“We each have a Heartsong—or purpose. When we connect our purpose for good, we create a beautiful global mosaic.”
— Mattie
Contentment, gratitude, and success in life are correlated with purpose. Recognizing what matters to us and about us, and also realizing how we can share those truths meaningfully with others, promotes feelings of validation and belonging. No matter our challenges and differences, we need to be “okay” with who we are and with who others are — as unique individuals.
Play
“Remember to play after every storm!”
— Mattie
Play is a global aspect of human development and well-being that fosters growth and creativity, social connections and happiness, resilience and collaboration. Coping with challenges and “storms” – and celebrating life – personally and in community – strengthens our ability to envision and shape a peaceful and purposeful future.
Why Our Foundation's Work is Important
The Problem
People want peace.
However, many realities interrupt peace.
Challenges and conflicts are inevitable and natural. Choosing violence is not necessary or healthy.
Not understanding how to seek, make, or bring peace, and not having a sense of meaningful purpose or connections especially during tough times, can lead to frustration, isolation, loneliness, or even unkindness.
The Need
Children and adults need reassurance that peace is possible.
Educators and care providers need guidance in how to make peace a way of learning and living.
Families and community leaders need strategies and examples of how peace can be a reality in today’s world, despite violence and bullying.
Our Solution
Education
#FollowYourHeartsong
Conversation
#PeacePurposePlay
Recreation
#MosaicOfGifts
Education
#FollowYourHeartsong
Conversation
#PeacePurposePlay
Recreation
#MosaicOfGifts
Mattie’s “Three Choices for Peace” message and his “Pathways to Peace” vision are the inspiration for many of our programs, materials, and events. We’ve transformed Mattie’s meaningful, achievable, and sustainable tips for youth and adults to help them understand, practice, and teach peace.
Whether your goal is to explore and understand peace, to practice and share peace, to teach or become Peace Certified in peace, learn more about Mattie’s legacy, or participate in one of our peace celebration events, Mattie’s Peace Foundation is ready to help with materials and mentorship. Together, we can move peace from a desired possibility to a tangible reality.
Mattie’s “Three Choices for Peace” message and his “Pathways to Peace” vision are the inspiration for many of our programs, materials, and events. We’ve transformed Mattie’s meaningful, achievable, and sustainable tips for youth and adults to help them understand, practice, and promote peace.
Whether your goal is to
- explore and understand peace,
- practice and share peace,
- teach, role model, or become Peace Certified in peace,
- learn more about Mattie’s legacy, or
- participate in one of our peace activities or events,
Mattie’s Peace Foundation is ready to help with
materials and mentorship. Together, we can move peace from a desired possibility to a tangible reality.
Whether your goal is to explore and understand peace, to practice and share peace, to teach, role model, or become Peace Certified in peace, learn more about Mattie’s legacy, or participate in one of our peace celebration events, Mattie’s Peace Foundation is ready to help with materials and mentorship. Together, we can move peace from a desired possibility to a tangible reality.
Our Impact
1,000+
Peace Certified
Since the program launched in 2012, our Peace Certification Program™ has mentored 35+ groups (businesses, schools, camps, organizations, and communities) and 50+ individuals (educators, medical personnel, family members, shop owners, bartenders, elected leaders, and more).
10,000+
Participating
Our Pathways2Peace™ programs and activities have been enjoyed by local and global neighbors: Peace Trees, For Our World Campaign, Heartsongs Contests, Peace Club Kids & Teens, Mama Peace Chats, Peace Day, events, and more.
100,000+
Connecting
Our Information Pages
What People Are Saying
“Mattie’s Foundation is a creative force for peace. It gives a voice to people with special needs, which actually – we all are… the teaching materials developed by his Foundation make a real impact on school systems.”
Yuzan Toyoda
Flame of Hope Ambassador
& Head Priest, Canada
“Neighbors helping neighbors is what we are all about. Jeni and Mattie have inspired all of us by overcoming significant challenges and bringing optimism and focus on those right around us.”
“We can all help make a better world that we would like to see by starting with peace, purpose, and play in our own communities.”
Teresa Anderson
King Farm Neighbors Village
“I am reminded of how much we have to learn from Mattie’s legacy. His work as a young peace ambassador is more relevant today than ever.”
Sydney Katz
Montgomery County Maryland
Elected Leader
“I saw Mattie at a book signing and felt his wisdom on life. Volunteering for his Foundation gives me the chance help share that wisdom with a new generation.”
Suzy Haug
Retired Educator,
Foundation Peace Guide
“My grandson became a Peace Club Kid and received Messages from Mama Peace. We participated with Foundation activities the Peace Tree, and Peace Certification. I spoke at my grandson’s school about Mattie and read his poem, For Our World…”
“My grandson is now a man, and time has gone by quickly. But our entire family had benefited more than Jeni will ever know from her work to share Mattie’s messages and hers through Mattie’s Peace Foundation. I am always uplifted.”
“Peace is needed more each and every day.”
Marianne Maurice
Grandparent,
Pennsylvania, USA
“We need a billion Mattie’s to step up and be ambassadors for peace across the world. I just want to be one of the many who work towards with peace with his Foundation.”
“I have toasted to peace in person with his Foundation – celebrating messages about sunset as a favorite color and playing after every storm…”
“I am personally praying for peace, and I am connecting with purpose – for peace.”
Jeff Cupps
Wheelchair Tech (& Guru 🙂 )
NuMotion – Mobility Solutions
“Mattie messages and his Foundation’s work inspire me to listen to my heart, and to always keep believing that someday we will have peace.”
Sandy Gilbert
New Hampshire, USA
“Mattie’s Foundation is a creative force for peace. It gives a voice to people with special needs, which actually – we all are… the teaching materials developed by his Foundation make a real impact on school systems.”
Yuzan Toyoda
Flame of Hope Ambassador
& Head Priest, Canada
“Neighbors helping neighbors is what we are all about. Jeni and Mattie have inspired all of us by overcoming significant challenges and bringing optimism and focus on those right around us.”
“We can all help make a better world that we would like to see by starting with peace, purpose, and play in our own communities.”
Teresa Anderson
King Farm Neighbors Village
“I am reminded of how much we have to learn from Mattie’s legacy. His work as a young peace ambassador is more relevant today than ever.”
Sydney Katz
Montgomery County Maryland
Elected Leader
“I saw Mattie at a book signing and felt his wisdom on life. Volunteering for his Foundation gives me the chance help share that wisdom with a new generation.”
Suzy Haug
Retired Educator,
Foundation Peace Guide
“My grandson became a Peace Club Kid and received Messages from Mama Peace. We participated with Foundation activities the Peace Tree, and Peace Certification. I spoke at my grandson’s school about Mattie and read his poem, For Our World…”
“My grandson is now a man, and time has gone by quickly. But our entire family had benefited more than Jeni will ever know from her work to share Mattie’s messages and hers through Mattie’s Peace Foundation. I am always uplifted.”
“Peace is needed more each and every day.”
Marianne Maurice
Grandparent,
Pennsylvania, USA
“We need a billion Mattie’s to step up and be ambassadors for peace across the world. I just want to be one of the many who work towards with peace with his Foundation.”
“I have toasted to peace in person with his Foundation – celebrating messages about sunset as a favorite color and playing after every storm…”
“I am personally praying for peace, and I am connecting with purpose – for peace.”
Jeff Cupps
Wheelchair Tech (& Guru)
Numotion – Mobility Solutions
“Mattie messages and his Foundation’s work inspire me to listen to my heart, and to always keep believing that someday we will have peace.”
Sandy Gilbert
New Hampshire, USA
Who Matters to Us
Children & Youth
Teens & Adults
Families & Leaders
Students & Educators
Caregivers & Healers
Businesses & Communities
You
