Peaceful Genesee, a local coalition of non-profit, government, school, faith group and individual partners, will recognize Lisa Barrett with its first “Peaceful Genesean Award”. The award acknowledges the contribution of a local citizen whose work has made the world a more compassionate, peaceful and sustainable place to live.
The Award will be presented at a Recognition Luncheon, noon at the YWCA, 301 North St., Batavia, on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. The public is invited to attend the luncheon. The cost is $10 per person. (RSVP to Donna Becker at: 585-343-5808.)
Ms. Barrett is recognized for her contribution to the vision of a Peaceful Genesee community, which is free of violence of all forms, where every person is given dignity and respect and which develops the means to transform conflicts peacefully. She has done this by reaching out to young people in a language and style that they appreciate, and to which they respond.
She created a musical for young people, “Can’t Bully Me Now!”, which teaches compassion. The musical has been performed several times locally with superb reviews.
One review of the musical play highlights Lisa’s empathy and compassion, which she is able to convey to the audience through her school-age cast: “Everyone matters – That’s the vital message that everyone needs to hear and understand – woven throughout the fabric of “Can’t Bully Me Now, a three-act musical play written by Batavian Lisa Barrett, singer/songwriter/teaching artist who, herself, experienced the deep pain of taunting as a child.”
Ms. Barrett has also written and performed the internationally acclaimed, Best Original Song, “When You Look at Me”, to honor her 2-year old nephew Austin, who lost his brave battle against cancer in 2000.
Ms. Barrett, an employee of the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse, has demonstrated her compassion and empathy in both these works and more for the past decade.
For more details about Peaceful Genesee, see PeacefulGenesee.com.
