Architects of Peace
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Selected from more than 100 nominations, 30 Stockton residents are the recipients of the Architects of Peace – Peacemakers Project. Photos and stories of these distinguished, local peacemakers will be displayed throughout the year at Stockton’s high schools, the University of the Pacific and San Joaquin Delta College.
The Architects of Peace Foundation was established three years ago by Stockton chef, resident, and peace advocate Rima Barkett and world-renowned photographer Michael Collopy.
Rima has lived in Stockton for 17 years and is married to Stockton businessman Anthony Barkett. Born in Italy, her mother had a strong influence on her love and service to others. She was taught at a very young age the value of taking time to help others in need.
Michael, who has photographed some of the greatest peacemakers of our time – Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and Cesar Chavez to name just a few – has traveled extensively throughout the world. His award-winning photo documentaries include “Works of Love are Works of Peace” and “Architects of Peace.”
Together they created the Stockton Peacemaker Project.
From young adults to seasoned veterans of peacemaking efforts, our community is blessed with those who strive to make the world a better place. Throughout the next few issues of San Joaquin Lifestyles, we will be unfolding Michael Collopy’s amazing photographs of the Stockton Peacemakers. For a complete list of the Peacemaker recipients, along with their stories, visit www.architectsofpeace.org.
Dillon Delvo
Dillon Delvo is a second-generation Filipino-American, born and raised in Stockton. After graduating Edison High School in 1991, Dillon went on to San Francisco State University to pursue his passion for filmmaking, where he received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. It was there where he not only learned about film, but his Filipino-American heritage.
Dillon moved back to Stockton, worked in marketing, website development, and supervised a summer youth program called “The Media Project” for San Joaquin County WorkNet. He also volunteered as the youth minister of St. George’s Youth Group, of which he was a member in his teenage years. In 2001, he and Dr. Dawn Mabalon created the non-profit organization, Little Manila Foundation.
Dillon is currently co-teaching Little Manila’s Filipino-American history after-school program at Edison High School. He is a school board trustee for the Stockton Unified School District, the recipient of various awards for his work in the community, and a filmmaker (The Game of Solitare).
Favorite quote:
“If you can live like every moment is a gift, then love, peace, and justice is the product of the thanksgiving you choose to make.”
— unknown
John Morearty
Born 1938 in Milwaukee, educated Catholic seminary, Marquette Univ., Munich and Calcutta. Ph.D. in Social Thought, Univ. of Chicago, 1969. Co-founded Callison/UOP, international experimental college, taught history and philosophy 1967-75. Woodworker, licensed contractor 1976-2006. Peace activist, 1979 to present. Arrested six times for civil disobedience against war. Co-publisher Connections, free community newspaper, TV talk show producer/host, 1991-2005. Memoirs 2007, Walking to Omega: Tales of a Peacenik Carpenter.
I’ve searched for wisdom, ways to serve and simple pleasures – as a teacher, carpenter, writer and peace activist. War and violence corrupt the spirits of our young, and threaten us all. As Dr. King said, “our choice is… between nonviolence and nonexistence… We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters, or we will perish together as fools.” Gandhi says, “in the midst of darkness, light persists,” as the Architects of Peace so beautifully show us.
My Christian faith is enriched by Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, native traditions and secular humanism. Rabindranath Tagore wrote, “Faith is the bird that feels the light, and sings when the dawn is still dark.”So I sing, read aloud with my wife, walk, bicycle and play the Japanese bamboo flute. And I stand with a red, white and blue sign, “Peace Now!”
Favorite quotes:
“Sad to say, our country is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”— Gandhi
Crescentia Thomas
Crescentia Thomas was born in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, until her family moved to the United States for more opportunity. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School she attended the University of San Diego, where she was very active. After college she returned home, and began working for the Stockton Unified School District, working with special-needs children. Dedicating herself to her work as a teacher, she changed many lives for the better.
After receiving her master’s degree, she taught catechism at Presentation Church, and helped build a swim program for Edison High School. Crescentia recently returned to school, proving further that learning never stops. We look forward to hearing what more positive changes this young woman will make in our community in the future.
Favorite quote:
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. — Kahlil Gibran
Michael Tubbs
Born to a 16-year-old mother and an incarcerated father, Michael Tubbs has been active in the community since the age of 7. Since then he has chaired the City of Stockton’s Youth Advisory Commission, been elected student body president, black student union president, written for local newspapers, keynoted several conferences and has served as a motivational speaker, speaking to countless schools, community organizations, juvenile halls and churches.
A first-generation student at Stanford University, Michael was selected as the Founder’s Day Speaker, the first freshman in the 117-year history of the university to do so. He has involved himself in several ways in the Stanford community as well. Not forgetting his Stockton roots, Michael has spearheaded the creation of “Save Our Stockton,” a group for youth that lobbies for change on issues, and has worked with the Children’s Defense Fund on their California Campaign to End the Cradle to Prison Pipeline. This young man has been the recipient of countless awards, and has proven to be a mentor and inspiration to not just his peers, but to all who come in contact with him.
Favorite quote:
“Like the prophet Ezekiel, I will continue to speak ‘truth to power and power to youth’ to the dry bones of youth violence, societal neglect, and inequality with the goal of allowing everyone to realize that their ‘potential is limitless as they are made in the likeness of a limitless God.’”— Michael Tubbs
Sara Garfield
Born in Wisconsin, Sara Garfield was raised a volunteer in the community at an early age. Sara joined the Department of Teacher Education faculty at CSU Stanislaus in 1986, but felt the need to do more in the community. She spearheaded a project to help the homeless, becoming someone for her students to look up to. She has been the director and founder of the Transitional Learning Center (TLC) for homeless children in Stockton since it opened in 1992.
Garfield has dedicated herself to her teaching and to making sure that children, regardless of their background, have an opportunity to receive an education. Sara balances her TLC efforts with a full-time Teacher Education class load, and even found time to write a book, Educating our Homeless Youth. She has been the recipient of many awards, and the Stockton community is extremely grateful for all that she has done.
Favorite quote:
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face… you must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
David Saunders
David Saunders has been a teacher at St. Mary’s High School and in the Bay area. He was diagnosed with stage III cancer, and survived. He had always been a traveler, and he and Greg Traverso wanted to start a safari business in Africa. When they came across all the poverty and orphans, their business plans changed. Together they founded the Red Rhino Orphanage in Kenya.
Today, David has completely dedicated himself to his work at the orphanage, and lives in Kenya for the majority of the year. The orphanage is scheduled to open its doors in June.
http://www.rrop.org/
Samuel Nuñez
Executive Director of The Fathers & Families of San Joaquin, Samuel Nuñez is a state and nationally recognized expert in the field of youth development and responsible fatherhood. As an alumnus of a fatherhood development program in northern California and a past coordinator of a nationally recognized male involvement and male responsibility program, Sammy has the unique background of being a participant and success story of the type of services offered through grassroots youth and fatherhood development programs.
Favorite quote:
“Within the collective dignity, love and respect of all people, exists the wisdom and resources for a beautiful, harmonious tomorrow.”
— Jerry Tello
The Architects of Peace Foundation was established three years ago by Stockton chef, resident, and peace advocate Rima Barkett and world-renowned photographer Michael Collopy.
Rima has lived in Stockton for 17 years and is married to Stockton businessman Anthony Barkett. Born in Italy, her mother had a strong influence on her love and service to others. She was taught at a very young age the value of taking time to help others in need.
Michael, who has photographed some of the greatest peacemakers of our time – Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela and Cesar Chavez to name just a few – has traveled extensively throughout the world. His award-winning photo documentaries include “Works of Love are Works of Peace” and “Architects of Peace.”
Together they created the Stockton Peacemaker Project.
From young adults to seasoned veterans of peacemaking efforts, our community is blessed with those who strive to make the world a better place. Throughout the next few issues of San Joaquin Lifestyles, we will be unfolding Michael Collopy’s amazing photographs of the Stockton Peacemakers. For a complete list of the Peacemaker recipients, along with their stories, visit www.architectsofpeace.org.
Dillon Delvo
Dillon Delvo is a second-generation Filipino-American, born and raised in Stockton. After graduating Edison High School in 1991, Dillon went on to San Francisco State University to pursue his passion for filmmaking, where he received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. It was there where he not only learned about film, but his Filipino-American heritage.
Dillon moved back to Stockton, worked in marketing, website development, and supervised a summer youth program called “The Media Project” for San Joaquin County WorkNet. He also volunteered as the youth minister of St. George’s Youth Group, of which he was a member in his teenage years. In 2001, he and Dr. Dawn Mabalon created the non-profit organization, Little Manila Foundation.
Dillon is currently co-teaching Little Manila’s Filipino-American history after-school program at Edison High School. He is a school board trustee for the Stockton Unified School District, the recipient of various awards for his work in the community, and a filmmaker (The Game of Solitare).
Favorite quote:
“If you can live like every moment is a gift, then love, peace, and justice is the product of the thanksgiving you choose to make.”
— unknown
John Morearty
Born 1938 in Milwaukee, educated Catholic seminary, Marquette Univ., Munich and Calcutta. Ph.D. in Social Thought, Univ. of Chicago, 1969. Co-founded Callison/UOP, international experimental college, taught history and philosophy 1967-75. Woodworker, licensed contractor 1976-2006. Peace activist, 1979 to present. Arrested six times for civil disobedience against war. Co-publisher Connections, free community newspaper, TV talk show producer/host, 1991-2005. Memoirs 2007, Walking to Omega: Tales of a Peacenik Carpenter.
I’ve searched for wisdom, ways to serve and simple pleasures – as a teacher, carpenter, writer and peace activist. War and violence corrupt the spirits of our young, and threaten us all. As Dr. King said, “our choice is… between nonviolence and nonexistence… We must learn to live together as brothers and sisters, or we will perish together as fools.” Gandhi says, “in the midst of darkness, light persists,” as the Architects of Peace so beautifully show us.
My Christian faith is enriched by Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, native traditions and secular humanism. Rabindranath Tagore wrote, “Faith is the bird that feels the light, and sings when the dawn is still dark.”So I sing, read aloud with my wife, walk, bicycle and play the Japanese bamboo flute. And I stand with a red, white and blue sign, “Peace Now!”
Favorite quotes:
“Sad to say, our country is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”— Gandhi
Crescentia Thomas
Crescentia Thomas was born in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, until her family moved to the United States for more opportunity. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School she attended the University of San Diego, where she was very active. After college she returned home, and began working for the Stockton Unified School District, working with special-needs children. Dedicating herself to her work as a teacher, she changed many lives for the better.
After receiving her master’s degree, she taught catechism at Presentation Church, and helped build a swim program for Edison High School. Crescentia recently returned to school, proving further that learning never stops. We look forward to hearing what more positive changes this young woman will make in our community in the future.
Favorite quote:
You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. — Kahlil Gibran
Michael Tubbs
Born to a 16-year-old mother and an incarcerated father, Michael Tubbs has been active in the community since the age of 7. Since then he has chaired the City of Stockton’s Youth Advisory Commission, been elected student body president, black student union president, written for local newspapers, keynoted several conferences and has served as a motivational speaker, speaking to countless schools, community organizations, juvenile halls and churches.
A first-generation student at Stanford University, Michael was selected as the Founder’s Day Speaker, the first freshman in the 117-year history of the university to do so. He has involved himself in several ways in the Stanford community as well. Not forgetting his Stockton roots, Michael has spearheaded the creation of “Save Our Stockton,” a group for youth that lobbies for change on issues, and has worked with the Children’s Defense Fund on their California Campaign to End the Cradle to Prison Pipeline. This young man has been the recipient of countless awards, and has proven to be a mentor and inspiration to not just his peers, but to all who come in contact with him.
Favorite quote:
“Like the prophet Ezekiel, I will continue to speak ‘truth to power and power to youth’ to the dry bones of youth violence, societal neglect, and inequality with the goal of allowing everyone to realize that their ‘potential is limitless as they are made in the likeness of a limitless God.’”— Michael Tubbs
Sara Garfield
Born in Wisconsin, Sara Garfield was raised a volunteer in the community at an early age. Sara joined the Department of Teacher Education faculty at CSU Stanislaus in 1986, but felt the need to do more in the community. She spearheaded a project to help the homeless, becoming someone for her students to look up to. She has been the director and founder of the Transitional Learning Center (TLC) for homeless children in Stockton since it opened in 1992.
Garfield has dedicated herself to her teaching and to making sure that children, regardless of their background, have an opportunity to receive an education. Sara balances her TLC efforts with a full-time Teacher Education class load, and even found time to write a book, Educating our Homeless Youth. She has been the recipient of many awards, and the Stockton community is extremely grateful for all that she has done.
Favorite quote:
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face… you must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
David Saunders
David Saunders has been a teacher at St. Mary’s High School and in the Bay area. He was diagnosed with stage III cancer, and survived. He had always been a traveler, and he and Greg Traverso wanted to start a safari business in Africa. When they came across all the poverty and orphans, their business plans changed. Together they founded the Red Rhino Orphanage in Kenya.
Today, David has completely dedicated himself to his work at the orphanage, and lives in Kenya for the majority of the year. The orphanage is scheduled to open its doors in June.
http://www.rrop.org/
Samuel Nuñez
Executive Director of The Fathers & Families of San Joaquin, Samuel Nuñez is a state and nationally recognized expert in the field of youth development and responsible fatherhood. As an alumnus of a fatherhood development program in northern California and a past coordinator of a nationally recognized male involvement and male responsibility program, Sammy has the unique background of being a participant and success story of the type of services offered through grassroots youth and fatherhood development programs.
Favorite quote:
“Within the collective dignity, love and respect of all people, exists the wisdom and resources for a beautiful, harmonious tomorrow.”
— Jerry Tello