Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center Launches 2026 Youth Peace Poetry Contest
February 23, 2026
Whatcom Co. – The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Youth Peace Poetry Contest. Sponsored by Village Books, the Youth Peace Poetry contest invites Whatcom County youth, ages 4-18, to get creative and use poetry and other forms of written word to explore what peace means to them. Themes of past poems have included resolving conflict, talking things out, listening to one another, acceptance, building peace, hopes and dreams, understanding, respect, inner peace, anti-bullying and more.
Poets are encouraged to submit between now and May 29th, 2026. Winners will have the opportunity to read their poem aloud at the WDRC’s annual Peace Builders Awards Gala on October 2nd; and everyone who submits a poem will be invited to share at a Youth Peace Poetry Reading hosted by Village Books in the fall.
The WDRC also provides free Peace Poetry workshops to youth in Whatcom County. Workshops include a brief introduction on poetry styles, the opportunity to listen to and practice different forms of poetry, and an option to share one’s work amongst peers. If you are interested in a workshop for yourself, your classroom, or your youth group, please reach out to our Youth education team at youth@whatcomdrc.org.
The Youth Peace Poetry Contest highlights the WDRC’s Youth Program, which works to empower young people to resolve conflict creatively and build healthy relationships. Through training and mediation, the Youth Program reached over 2,000 youth in 2025.
More information, past winning poems, and submission forms can be found at:
www.whatcomdrc.org/youth-peace-poetry-contest/
Peace unites us together as humans
no matter your gender or color of skin
peace connects us to nature, to the world,
to the universe. We have to believe
the hardest of times will pass
because if we don’t believe in the impossible
nothing will be accomplished.
-Denali, 2024 Youth Peace Poetry Contest Winner
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The WDRC is a non-profit dedicated to providing and promoting constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation, and community education. More information can be found at www.whatcomdrc.org or by calling 360-676-0122.
Poets are encouraged to submit between now and May 29th, 2026. Winners will have the opportunity to read their poem aloud at the WDRC’s annual Peace Builders Awards Gala on October 2nd; and everyone who submits a poem will be invited to share at a Youth Peace Poetry Reading hosted by Village Books in the fall.
The WDRC also provides free Peace Poetry workshops to youth in Whatcom County. Workshops include a brief introduction on poetry styles, the opportunity to listen to and practice different forms of poetry, and an option to share one’s work amongst peers. If you are interested in a workshop for yourself, your classroom, or your youth group, please reach out to our Youth education team at youth@whatcomdrc.org.
The Youth Peace Poetry Contest highlights the WDRC’s Youth Program, which works to empower young people to resolve conflict creatively and build healthy relationships. Through training and mediation, the Youth Program reached over 2,000 youth in 2025.
More information, past winning poems, and submission forms can be found at:
www.whatcomdrc.org/youth-peace-poetry-contest/
Peace unites us together as humans
no matter your gender or color of skin
peace connects us to nature, to the world,
to the universe. We have to believe
the hardest of times will pass
because if we don’t believe in the impossible
nothing will be accomplished.
-Denali, 2024 Youth Peace Poetry Contest Winner
###
The WDRC is a non-profit dedicated to providing and promoting constructive and collaborative approaches to conflict through mediation, training, facilitation, and community education. More information can be found at www.whatcomdrc.org or by calling 360-676-0122.
Contact:
Tanner Thompson, Community Engagement Coordinator
outreach@whatcomdrc.org, (360) 676-0122
