Steve Rolland Youth Peacemaker Award Fund Grant

The Steve Rolland Youth Peacemaker Award Fund recognizes high school students in Duluth who exemplify community service and peacemaking qualities. Named after a respected Duluth Police officer, the fund offers a $2,500 award to support youth who volunteer in their communities and embody the values of compassion and justice as articulated by Martin Luther King Jr. This award aims to inspire the next generation of leaders dedicated to making a positive impact.

The Steve Rolland Youth Peacemaker Award Fund honors youth who undertake community peacemaking activities in the Duluth area. The award honors Steve Rolland, a 34-year veteran of the Duluth Police Department. During his last 14 years as an officer, he walked the beat on First Street in downtown Duluth. Steve had a calm demeanor and attitude which earned him a great deal of respect with those he came in contact with. This trait allowed him the remarkable ability to de-escalate very tense situations and to resolve conflicts with a safe and fair outcome. Steve’s ability to transform, teach, and make friends while doing a difficult job made him a wonderful peacemaker, which is a much-needed trait in today’s world.

Eligibility

Applicants must be 11th or 12th grade students at a Duluth public or private high school who go beyond expectations by volunteering in their community—such as in hospitals, neighborhood programs, or other service venues. They should embody the qualities of a Peacemaker as defined by Martin Luther King Jr.: someone who seeks to teach, transform, make friends, heal, defeat injustice, or choose love over hate.