BOARD AND STAFF
Krystle Arnold
Board Member
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas Native I live with my husband, Zachary and our 5 children, Kaleb, Kaiden, Berkleigh, Bellamie, and Zayne.
Growing up, I spent a ton of time with my maternal grandmother who donated her time, money, and resources to those in need. She frequently organized clothing donations for the local women and children’s shelter, prepared holiday meals for the homeless, and even found time to visit nursing homes to read and bring treats to those who had felt forgotten. Acts of service are an incredible part of my grandma’s legacy and the passing of the torch is not to be taken lightly. Her legacy, coupled with my passion for equity and social justice, are the reasons I knew I had to be a part of The Growing Peace Project. In the summer of 2014, as a middle school math teacher, I brought some of my students to the TGPP retreat, which provided them with a rare opportunity to not only escape city life for a few days but also to dig deeper into the meaning of why we had spent the previous school year actively collaborating on community service projects. The retreat had a major impact on us all. As I am now a board member, it is a goal and privilege to spread awareness of TGPP and its mission with fellow educators, friends, and family.
Joe Coulombe
Counselor
Essex Junction, Vermont
BIO
COMING
SOON
Kathy Davidow
Board Member
Bradford, Vermont
Working with young children all my life has given me a passion to make the world a more peaceful and more just place for them to live and grow. The Growing Peace Project is the perfect way to work directly with young people to create peace and justice in the world.
One of my ongoing passions is bicycle travel. I have toured with my partner all over the US, Eastern and Western Europe, Mexico, Cuba and Canada. Bicycle travel gives you the chance to experience a place and its people intimately.
I am a retired special education teacher who worked with children ages 3 to 5 for 20 years, collaborating with local preschools to support all children's learning. I loved encouraging children to be members of their communities through play, art and stories. Currently I work part time in the local library. I work with the collection, help patrons, and organize programs such as a monthly poetry circle.
Paul Erlbaum
Board Vice President
East Montpelier, Vermont
I am a co-founder of Milestone Adventures Inc, a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, the umbrella organization for The Growing Peace Project. After a career as a Vermont attorney, I hung up my license to practice law but still work in the world of law, volunteering with a legal services organization representing asylum seekers, and as a commissioner on the Vermont State Ethics Commission. My volunteer work also includes visiting Vermont classrooms with Reading to End Racism, and mentoring local high school students engaged in independent study projects. Following a four year training, I am delighted to be a certified practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method, a system of somatic education.
My wife Rachael and I live in East Montpelier where we raised two children to adulthood, and where we now revel in raising garlic and other alliums to maturity.
Kelly Konrad
Counselor
Fort Collins, Colorado
I first joined TGPP as a camper back in 2012 - and loved it so much I kept coming back for more as a counselor. Through teaching and tutoring, I have met and made wonderful connections with some incredible young students and teachers, but none quite as heartfelt as those in TGPP. Each year these students inspire me with their passion, creativity, and intelligence. The quiet Vermont mountains provide the perfect change of scenery in our busy city lives to truly get to know each other and foster some incredible youth activism.
I currently live in Fort Collins, Colorado where I am attending Colorado State University to earn my M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and a Graduate Certificate in French Linguistics & Literatures. I am also teaching first-year college composition and mentoring student-athletes at CSU.
Jacqueline Labate
Founding Director
Topsham, Vermont
The Growing Peace Project is my “passion project,” my personal response to former President Obama’s call to serve. It sprang from my deep belief in the power of friendship, collaboration, and community involvement to transform lives. I am truly honored to work with kids who are committed to effecting positive social change.
I have been an educator for over 35 years, first as a classroom teacher and then as an educational consultant offering professional development to schools. I have traveled all over the US, and worked with students of all ages and from all walks of life. Their open hearts and eager minds motivate and inspire me. I’m moved by the inner strength that results from kids engaging in new ways with new people, and I’m hopeful that their rising voices will help to make a better world.
As founding director I wear many hats. It’s challenging work, but second to raising my amazing children it’s the best thing I’ve ever done.
Angelina Ponzio Labate
Development Coordinator
NYC, New York
It is an honor to work with TGPP. Serving in different roles over the years has given me the opportunity to watch the organization grow from an idea seed…to a great tree with strong branches and a thriving network.
One of my favorite jobs at TGPP is supporting the youth on their activism journeys. It gives me life to see them hard at work on the issues that they care about; it is humbling when they let us hold space for their outrage and pain over the injustices that they see and experience, and it is beautiful to watch them connect, challenge and become stronger - together.
Building with TGPP youth is where I discovered my love of teaching, which led me on my own journey as a Street Dance Educator. My work comes from the belief that healing and change live in the spaces where we are seen, heard and loved. Join us in the rEvolution!
Tori Slavin
Board Member / Counselor
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
BIO
COMING
SOON
Skye Yates
Counselor
Boston, Massachusetts
I first became involved in TGPP when I was in middle school, and am now a sophomore at Boston University and have been a part of the program ever since! I am a Health Science major on the pre-med track with a minor in public health! I’ve always known I wanted to do something in the healthcare field, and the public health aspect is something that came about from TGPP, opening my eyes to my capacity to impact my surroundings. I found my time as a retreat member so valuable in growing my perspective and values in life, and now I’m a counselor who constantly thinks about the positive impact the experience has on my life. I’m more aware of the ways I can help the world, and why getting involved really is important as a young woman. I still continue to make everything I do more peaceful, and to encourage everyone to do the same. I wouldn’t be the human I am today without this amazing organization.
VOLUNTEERS
