The mission of Pacem In Vita Institute is to create opportunities for a diverse cross-section of young people, especially those from low-income families from a variety of cultures, to improve their own opportunities for health, prosperity, and leadership.  We basically provide those opportunities through two different programs: Making a Better Future program for youth, and Health Lifestyles program for seniors.

Health Lifestyles

The adult program Healthy Lifestyles,  is a daily exercise program that we bring to nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, assisted living centers, senior centers, hospitals, rehabilitation centers and other facilities where older people can gain benefits from the gentle daily practice of Qigong, an ancient Chinese exercise that has proven research behind its effectiveness, as well as cardiovascular activities such as walking, strength training exercises, information about nutrition and better medication management.   

Here are some of the things older participants have said about the Healthy Lifestyles program:

 "I really like the exercises - they are fun to do and I they are helping me walk better."

 

 "I know that doing these exercises are helping me sleep better. "

 

"I especially like the "Looking at the Moon" exercise. "

"I can't believe how much better I feel - I was really depressed a few months ago, but something about getting up every day and seeing everyone and doing these together has really lifted my spirits."

Making a Better Future

Through Making A Better Future Program, we provide education and support to help children remain in and flourish in school, reject violence and other risky behaviors, resolve conflicts peaceably, eat responsibly and make healthy choices.   Our program helps youth grow into disciplined, peaceful, and productive citizens. We work to achieve these goals through innovative martial arts instruction, education, life skills, and leadership development programming, both face to face and utilizing new telepresence technologies.  The youth program(for junior and senior high school)can be taught in school as part of the regular curriculum or set up as an extra-curricular activity by the school or a community organization.

One aspect of the Making a Better Future Program is the annual Entrepreneurially Talented Teen program {click here for more details on ETTC}. Students get the opportunity to meet with and learn from dozens of business owners and entrepreneurs who have overcome obstacles and beaten the odds to become successful and productive adults.  This program, approved by the Pennsylvania  Department of Community and Economic Development as an Educational Improvement Organization and hosted by the Students In Free Enterprise club at Kutztown University, is a win/win/win for those who are involved.  The schools get a great extra-curricular activity for students who are bent towards business and entrepreneurship.  The high school students attending the weekend get a fabulous opportunity to network and get to know some really top-notch powerful people and learn from them the keys to their success.  The college students who help run the program get the additional benefit of the chance to mentor those younger than themselves, as well as a place where they can practice the leadership and organizational skills they are learning at the university.  The corporations who sponsor the weekend get the opportunity to evaluate and groom the students who will become the employees of the future - both the students attending and the students running the program. 

Here are some of the things young participants have said about the Making a Better Future program:

"I really like Pacem In Vita [Making a Better Future] because it teaches you how to solve life problems peacefully.  It teaches me to calm down and think about my decisions. "

 

 

"Being in control is important.  Being aware of everyone's point of view and all sides of a conflict can be very useful.  You have a lot of power and it's important to use it in the right way."

 

 "I didn't want to think about my future, but I'm glad now that I have.  I have more choices than I thought."

 "Awesome program.  Wow."