Aaron Gelineau 2009 recipient of the Community Member Peacemaker Award.
Nominated by Tanieka Houstadt, Adrianna Sanders, Mary Roe, Brooke Solberg and Jennifer Wussow.
Aaron has worked for Neighborhood Youth Services (NYS) for 14 years, making a huge positive impact on the youth and families that he works with. Aaron also works at Central High School, as a Youth Liaison, helping to deescalate conflicts and guiding youth in finding positive ways to resolve conflict. Aaron is known for reaching out to collaborate with people and organizations to find ways to better support our youth.
Aaron belongs to the African American Men’s group. Within this group, he strives to help eliminate racism in our community, provide positive opportunities and resources for youth of color and participates in community events to help raise awareness of racism.
Aaron is the sort of person that others look to for help, advice, or just someone to listen. Youth, their parents, co-workers, and community members know this and often look to him for guidance. Aaron is a positive, stable male role model in the lives of many youth. He has helped teach them to believe in themselves and strive for their goals. He has encouraged youth to succeed academically and become contributors to our community. Aaron demonstrates forgiveness and love and sticks in there and supports youth through their mistakes and challenges, and is there to help them celebrate their successes.
Aaron is a model for peace in all his work. He is open-minded and believes in the best in people. He is honest, has an open heart for everyone, does not judge you for who you are or what you’ve done but tries to help you learn and to grow from past experiences and teaches you to make better choices in life.
Brooke Solberg writes, “Aaron is one of the best things that happened to me growing up and I believe he deserves this award from the bottom of my heart. He is one of the most awesome men that Duluth has!”
Quinton Witherspoon 2009 recipient of the Steve Rolland Youth Peacemaker Award.
Nominated by Barbara J. Ellingson and by Aaron Gelineau.
Quinton is a positive role model and mentor to many youth in the Central Hillside. He has volunteered for numerous school activities—dances, cultural events for third graders, open houses, youth orientations and sporting events—all of which have improved the culture and experience for the students. He has been involved in Peace Circles and peer mediations, resulting in good outcomes and reduced suspensions.
Quinton is a peacemaker in the hallways at Central High School. He troubleshoots conflicts and de-escalates fights. “He just steps in and starts negotiating with the students,” wrote Barbara Ellingson, a former teacher of Quinton’s. “I have seen him have conversations with kids that have kept them from fighting. He truly models good citizenship. He is a great mentor.”
“It does not matter what color, sex, or religion, Quinton does not discriminate. He truly cares for all the students,” writes Aaron Gelineau, youth worker at Central High School.
Quinton also takes pride in his church and has overcome many devastating family losses. “Last year,” wrote Gelineau, “Quinton led a discussion among his peers about how life in Duluth is different for African Americans than in the Twin Cities and how racism takes many forms. At times the discussion got heated, but it brought out great perspectives and insecurities.”
Quinton is involved with many activities including: football, basketball, basketball camps, fishing and canoe trips where his role is peer councilor, Student Council, and TROY Link.
Both Ellingson and Gelineau in describing Quinton wrote, “He is patient and his calm demeanor makes him successful with youth and people in general. He shows respectfulness and caring for others. Quinton is unselfish, good humored, kind, respectful, generous and keeps it real. He stands out and is memorable.”