Friends Forever International

This isn’t a marathon. Or a gala. Or a massive campaign. It’s just a bunch of people hanging out on a Saturday, raising a glass, and remembering that peace isn’t some huge, unreachable thing. It’s real, and it’s already happening. One conversation. One laugh. One round at a time. It’s Pints for Peace, and it’s happening again on Saturday, November 8. You can meet us in Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a relaxed, community-style bar hop. You donate or raise $30, you get a t-shirt and three drink tickets, and you spend the afternoon moving through local spots with friends new and old. It’s that simple. And honestly, kind of the best Saturday you will have this fall. Can’t make it to Portsmouth? Do it your way. Grab a few people, some drinks, maybe some ice cream, and make your own pint night wherever you are. Living room. Brewery. Front porch. If it feels good and brings people together, it counts. Or maybe going out isn’t your thing, but you still want to rep peace and support the cause. That works too. Just head to the Product tab at www.pintsforpeace.org and order some gear. T-shirts, hoodies, beanies. All of it supports youth leadership scholarships and shows that you believe in community, connection, and the possibility of peace. Because here’s the thing. When people are sitting around a table sharing a pint, they laugh. They listen. They connect. And for a minute, things feel pretty alright. So maybe that’s the world we build. One pint at a time. No pressure. Just show up. However works for you. Cheers Friends Forever International P.S. If you're thinking about jumping in, this weekend’s the perfect time. Order your gear, start a team, or text a couple friends and get November 8th on the calendar. Pints for Peace is just around the corner, so now’s a great time to get things rolling.

Grab your friends, coworkers, or team and head to Portsmouth for Pints for Peace 2025! Join us on Saturday, November 8 for an afternoon that’s all about connection, good company, and community. Explore downtown Portsmouth, enjoy a few pints, and be part of something that brings people together across divides. It’s the perfect company teambuilder, social day out, or reason to reconnect with friends while supporting a mission rooted in empathy and understanding. A few hours, a few pints, and a lasting impact. Learn more or register: www.pintsforpeace.org

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FFI ALUMNI IN ACTION

Announcing the 2025 Eileen D. Foley Award Recipient! We are proud to honor Mary Johanna Brown with this year’s award! The Eileen D. Foley Award is presented annually to a New Hampshire citizen whose leadership, vision, and community spirit mirror that of the late Mayor Eileen D. Foley, an icon of service and bridge-building. Mary Jo, Founder & President of Brown & Company Design and big brown books, has dedicated her career to creativity with purpose. Through her bold leadership in design, gender equality, the arts, civic engagement, and countless pro bono projects, she has made a lasting mark on New Hampshire and beyond. Join us on October 22 at Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth as we celebrate Mary Jo’s incredible impact with an evening of laughter, inspiration, and community. Register today at www.ff.international/roast!

Seeing the last three presidents of the SSUNI in one photo, with all three being alumni of FFI is very cool. Congrats

🌍✨ This summer, we were honored to welcome an inspiring group of young leaders for FFI’s Global Immersion Program at our center in Annalong, Northern Ireland. Over the course of ten transformative days, participants from Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Peru, and Mexico came together to learn, grow, and connect through powerful shared experiences. Their journey included everything from hiking Slieve Donard and going wet bouldering with Strangford Lough Activity Centre, to venturing to Belfast to learn about sustainable community impact at Tools For Solidarity and about programming opportunities for young adults at Springboard Opportunities Limited. They also volunteered with The People's Kitchen, supported FFI’s Summer Sports Camp, and deepened their understanding of healthy living and stress management with Symington Coaching. Along the way, they built relationships with community leaders, including spending a day participating in activities like painting and karaoke with Harry's Mates, meeting with leaders at the Belfast Giants, and discovering science and innovation at W5 Belfast. In addition to these experiences, the group developed their public speaking skills and began shaping their Community Action Projects, which they will continue to advance now that they’ve returned to their home countries. The energy, creativity, and commitment they brought to Northern Ireland was extraordinary, and we cannot wait to see the positive change they will initiate in their own communities. #GlobalImmersion #FFI #YouthLeadership #CommunityAction #CulturalExchange

This July, our 2025 team from Ireland & Northern Ireland, Team Vines, spent two unforgettable weeks in the U.S. building empathy, connection, and confidence. They gave back by cooking meals for the Seacoast Fridge and leading a beach cleanup, strengthened trust through team-building at Alnoba | Pinnacle Leadership & Team Development, and shared stories at a community gathering in New Castle. They learned from inspiring community leaders at Impax Asset Management. They explored different educational models at Monarch School of New England and Spaulding High School, and were warmly welcomed by the Rotary Club of Marblehead for a beautiful day by the sea. After hiking Mount Major, they were hosted at a peaceful lake house to reflect and recharge. They all delivered their public speeches during the program as well, and also had the chance to continue developing their Community Action Project ideas! Through every experience, these young leaders stepped up with curiosity, compassion, and courage—and they’re just getting started. 💬🌍

This summer, our Nationwide Team from across the United States proved that leadership knows no limits. Over the course of 10 days, these young leaders took on workshops that deepened their understanding of identity, service, and social justice; met with inspiring community leaders from organizations like City Year, Pine Street Inn, Gather, @root-ns , and The Freedom Café; and began planning community action projects that will create real change back home in their communities. They stepped up to the mic to give public speeches, stepped out of their comfort zones to learn new skills like surfing, and tested their resiliency with a hike in the White Mountains. They also gave back directly by volunteering with Friends in Action NH, building connections rooted in empathy and inclusion. This is what the next generation of leaders looks like—bold, compassionate, and ready to build a better world. Stay tuned for the next part of their FFI journey where they will be executing their Community Action Projects.

🌊✨ Our Waves of Change program wrapped up this week, leaving us inspired by the dedication and curiosity of these young leaders. 💙 High school students from across NH came together for an overnight experience that challenged them to think bigger about their role in the world. During the week, they: → Investigated local marine ecosystems and learned ocean conservation skills, → Explored humanitarian aid and how to support communities in crisis, → Built confidence through teamwork and public speaking, → Earned two high school credits, → And connected their passions to real-world impact 🌎🦀🤝 Huge thanks to partners like Southeast NH Habitat for Humanity and Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation for making this program even more meaningful. We can’t wait to see how these students continue making waves in their schools and communities.