Flint Launches Junior Peacekeepers Peer Mediation Program

New initiative aims to train students in conflict resolution and leadership development.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:40am

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The city of Flint, Michigan has launched a new peer mediation program to train students as 'junior peacekeepers.' The program will teach conflict resolution, non-violence strategies, and leadership skills, with the goal of building a long-term violence prevention model by investing in young people.

Why it matters

Flint has faced significant challenges with youth violence and crime in recent years, and this program represents an effort to proactively engage young people and provide them with skills to help de-escalate conflicts before they turn violent. By empowering students as 'junior peacekeepers,' the city hopes to strengthen community ties and foster a culture of non-violence.

The details

Starting today, Flint students will begin training in the new peer mediation program, learning techniques for conflict resolution, non-violent communication, and leadership development. Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a $500 leadership stipend. City officials see this as the start of a growing initiative to expand youth engagement and violence prevention efforts across Flint.

  • The peer mediation program launched on March 17, 2026.

The players

Sheldon Neeley

The mayor of Flint, Michigan, who announced the launch of the new peer mediation program.

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What they’re saying

“And so this is gonna be a program that's gonna grow, it's gonna help the City of Flint, it's gonna help us with juvenile engagement. And so this is a way to be able to dispatch good activity and good engagement through the City of Flint, through young people.”

— Sheldon Neeley, Mayor

What’s next

The city plans to expand the peer mediation program to additional schools and youth organizations in the coming months, with the goal of training a growing number of 'junior peacekeepers' across Flint.

The takeaway

By empowering young people as conflict mediators and leaders, Flint's new peer mediation program represents a proactive approach to addressing youth violence and building a culture of non-violence in the community.