By: Shannon Hegy

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WGGB) -- They're all different ages, from different backgrounds, but Sunday, Holyoke residents came together as partners in peace.

Linda LaFountaine's grandson is one of the many Holyoke public school children who's artwork hung in the Heritage Park Visitor's Center for Sunday's Peace Week opening ceremony.  She admits the city has changed drastically from years ago.

"My mother grew up in Holyoke and talked about how they were able to leave their doors unlocked and everyone tried to treat each other with common courtesy and respect and over the years that seems to have dwindled," she said.

But LaFountaine's confident, that with help from the city, her grandson's generation can turn it around.

"Peace is the respect for the rights of others," a quote by former Mexican President Benito Juarez, is the theme of Holyoke's Peace Week 2009.  To kick it all off, performers from all over the city, from theatre groups, to church choirs, to members of the high school demonstrated what peace means to them.

"It's an important discussion for the community to have on an annual basis about how non-violent intervention should be part of their everyday thinking and everyday life," said Holyoke Mayor Michael Sullivan.

While many say the city has come a long way, they also admit there's a long road ahead, but they say they're up for the challenge.

"We're the youth and we're gonad make this place better for the future," said Holyoke high school student Miseal Figueroa.

"It's definitely hard.  It's a hard environment," said Sarah Babski, another Holyoke high school student, "but if we all work together, we can make it a better place."