October 2026

In this series, we share the stories and perspectives of Accept Ambassadors who continuously support our work.

This time, we are pleased to introduce Warrick, an Accept Ambassador based in the United States and a former youth program administrator, teacher, and probation officer.

What experiences first led you to reflect on violence and the importance of peace?

On September 11, 2001, I was walking up the stairs to my office in the United States, thinking about my prospective adoption of my son who was 3 months old and being cared for in an orphanage in Vietnam. My adoption application had been approved, and I was waiting for permission to fly to Vietnam and bring him to the U.S. As I walked up the stairs to my office, I noticed a television had been set up and turned on in the lunch room. Why was the T.V. on? It was then that I learned about the tragic events that day at the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. What happened to influence someone to commit suicide and kill so many innocent people?

You also worked as a probation officer. Did that experience influence your perspective as well?

Another experience also shaped how I thought about the above question. As a juvenile probation officer, I was once checking in on a juvenile probationer at his high school. Our routine checks included checking the personal belongings of probationers. I asked for his backpack, and when he handed it to me, I noticed it was quite heavy. When I asked him why it was so heavy, he told me it was because his biology text book was quite heavy, and indeed it was. But what made the backpack even heavier was the gun he had inside! I had no choice but to arrest him and recommend he be sent to a residential program where he could participate in programs to guide him toward a more productive future. Upon his completion of the program, I later ran into him at a supermarket where he was working. He smiled, waved and called out to me. He wasn’t mad that I had him placed in the residential program. Quite to the contrary, I believe he was glad to see me and proud to show me that he had a job.

Thank you for sharing that experience. What inspired you to support Accept International, and how does its mission connect with your own life?

When I found out about Accept International, I was so pleased to see the great work they are doing in helping people like the young probationer I had known. Getting young people to lay down their guns and become peaceful citizens…if we could do more of that, we would have fewer events like those of September 11. I am glad to contribute to Accept International’s great work in redirecting those who have been misguided, and to guide them towards an appreciation of peace and respect for all people.

My son is now 25 years old. He is in a good place, pursuing a career that he loves and saving up for his future. His goals are similar to the opportunities Accept International aims to create for others.

A Note from Accept International

Our work is made possible by the continued support of Accept Ambassadors like Warrick. Thank you for taking the time to read his story.

Accept Ambassador is our monthly giving program, starting at $10 per month. We see our Ambassadors as partners and fellow changemakers in our mission to build lasting peace. No special responsibilities or activities are required. We simply hope you’ll feel proud to be part of our community and our shared mission for peace.

We hope you will walk with us as an Accept Ambassador – to help break the cycles of violence and build a more peaceful future together.

➡ Become an Accept Ambassador