April 24, 2023 – WPDI is pleased to announce that the Domestic Harmonizer Program (DHP) in the United States, has now expanded to the high school level. Since 2016, when the program first launched, the program has largely focused on making an impact at the middle school level. However, as the program has evolved and garnished considerable demand, we are now primely positioned to expand to the high school level; bringing with us the expertise and resources we have cultivated over the years. We are excited to kick off this expansion at two high schools: Cypress High School located in the Anaheim Unified High School District, and Hawkins High School, located in the Los Angeles Unified High School District.
Cypress High School is a large school founded in 1973 and located in Cypress, California with almost 3,000 students. The school is currently led by Principal Jennifer Brown, whom WPDI had the pleasure of previously working with at Walker Jr. High School, where she previously served as the principal. The school is eager to integrate social justice practices through various project-based learning initiatives in partnership with students and teachers, offer our 3-part parenting series, implement the DHP’s Peer Mediation Program, and our upcoming Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) initiative for student leaders.
The collaboration will also include special events and campaigns geared towards encouraging social justice engagement and leadership among students. Interestingly, students at Cypress expressed their interest in having a peer mediation program and peace initiatives at their school and approached Principal Brown and the DHP’s Program Director, Monya Kian, to jumpstart this collaboration. It is impressive that the students showed a keen interest in starting a peer mediation program at their school as their legacy before graduating and took the initiative to make it happen by contacting WPDI.
“I am overjoyed to have the opportunity to work with WPDI at Cypress High School,” says Principal Jennifer Brown. “I love that this partnership grew out of students taking action to advocate for the opportunity for peer mentoring, and conflict resolution. WPDI quickly responded to support our students and I look forward to the many ways this multi-year partnership will benefit our community.”
We are also delighted to collaborate with Augustus F. Hawkins High School, a school located in South Los Angeles with almost 500 students. Hawkins is a newly established school founded in 2021 that has three pathways, including the study of healthy communities, gaming, and entrepreneurship.
The synergies with WPDI and Hawkins in these fields sets the path for a fruitful collaboration, and we are eager to kick it off with the launch of the DHP at Hawkins in April with a workshop for educators. From there, our multi-year collaboration will expand to include more educator, student, and parent workshops, as well as opportunities to expand and build new peace education digital games designed and built by students. All of these initiatives will certainly be tailored to the school’s goals and capacities.
Like Cypress, WPDI will also implement the DHP Peer Mediation Program and the SEL program. “The Hawkins Family is excited about our collaboration with WPDI,” says Principal Monique Fordham, “which will help us build community, leverage restorative practices, and ensure joy and wellness for all stakeholders.”
“The growth of the DHP demonstrates both the need for programs in schools focused on restorative practices, as well as the potential for change,” says Forest Whitaker, Founder and CEO of WPDI. “When we first created the program several years ago, the vision was always to expand the program. It is exciting and hopeful to see that the DHP has now reached the high school level, and without a doubt, students at both Hawkins and Cypress will create projects and learn skills that will make a positive impact.”
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