Connecting Youth-Led Action with a Legacy of Advocacy: Founder Remembers E Raymond Wilson

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Jan 25
2 min read

Building a Village for Peace: Connecting Youth-Led Action with a Legacy of Advocacy

By Daniel Chapin, Founder, Youth Peace and Justice Foundation

The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation (YPJF) continues its commitment to meaningful change by seeking partnerships with organizations dedicated to advancing peace, justice, and human dignity. One organization whose mission resonates deeply with ours is the [Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL)](https://fcnl.org). Since 1943, FCNL has served as a principled voice for nonviolence, equity, and moral clarity in the public policy arena.

Our connection to FCNL is both personal and mission-driven. E. Raymond Wilson, a family friend and mentor, was one of FCNL’s cofounders. I had the privilege of knowing him for four formative years in the 1980s. His humility, moral clarity, and unwavering commitment to peace left a lasting impression on me—shaping my understanding of principled action and the importance of building supportive communities for young people, families, and communities affected by violence and systemic injustice.

Those early experiences with Mr. Wilson stayed with me for decades and shaped my understanding of leadership, advocacy, and the power of community.

When the tragic Uvalde school shooting occurred in 2022, the values he instilled—compassion, moral courage, and the drive to act in service of others—guided me in the wake of the tragedy, I founded the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, which later became the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation. From the beginning, our mission has been to provide immediate support to affected families, uplift young voices, and work toward systemic change that prevents future violence.

Since its founding, YPJF has grown into a national nonprofit supporting youth and families through emergency shelter, community-based intervention, youth leadership development, and policy-informed advocacy. Over time, we recognized that lasting change requires not only direct support but strategic partnerships—a “village” of organizations working together to uplift communities and advance peace.

We see FCNL as a natural partner in this effort. Their decades-long dedication to influencing federal policy through nonviolence and moral responsibility aligns closely with YPJF’s mission. By collaborating with like-minded organizations, we can amplify youth voices, strengthen families, and create systemic change that is lasting and meaningful.

We invite you to learn more about FCNL’s work by visiting their main site at www.fcnl.org.

If you are part of an organization that could benefit from collaboration—or if you envision ways to join us in building a stronger, safer, and more just community—we encourage you to contact the Youth Peace and Justice Foundation.

Together we can build a village of support, advocacy, and hope that empowers young people and families nationwide.

Daniel Chapin

Founder, Youth Peace and Justice Foundation