MICA – the Manteca Interfaith Community Appeal – invites the community to attend the 11th Annual International Day of Peace community event on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6060 Northland Road., in Manteca.

The theme of the 2026 International Day of Peace is “Invest in Peace—for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”

The pprogram will include young people from the Manteca community who are committed to making a difference and will share messages about investing in peace.

Speakers include Nihar Jain, former Manteca city ambassador and founder of the Manteca Interact Club; Gael Carrillo, Keystone president at the Boys & Girls Club; Alex Freeman of Bahá’í Junior Youth; and Sofia and Anastasiya Fox of the Boys & Girls Club.

Sara Young, CEO of the Manteca/Lathrop Boys & Girls Club, will be the special guest speaker. Ken Brown from the Manteca Stake presidency will be the concluding speaker.

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981, the International Day of Peace is observed worldwide each September 21.

It encourages everyone to advance peace through small, meaningful actions each day.

As Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Today, amidst staggering volatility, the search for peace feels overwhelming—but it has never been more urgent.” Everyone has a role to play. We must speak up against violence, hate, and discrimination; practice respect; and embrace the diversity of our world.

Gift cards and youth T-shirts will be given to Lynda Donelson, a Health & Safety specialist and Homeless Foster Aid, to support students experiencing homelessness in the Manteca Unified School District.

During the 2025-2026 school year, MICA’s donation helped the district’s Transitional Student Success Program serve more than 2,000 students by providing resources and assistance that reduced barriers to regular school attendance and student success.

The students include those experiencing homelessness, who are in foster care, or are facing other significant challenges.

“MUSD is grateful to MICA for its continued commitment to supporting students and families,” Donelson said.

Although one event cannot change the world, MICA hopes it will inspire our community to help build peace by serving others and working together, letting our actions speak louder than words.

Give your time to help someone, lend your voice to support positive change, host a Peace Circle where young people and adults can discuss solutions, or use your platform to share messages of peace and hope. Refreshments will follow the program.