About us
Funding hope,
worldwide
A spark of light in the darkness
– Our Vision
A world in which it’s possible for all children to overcome crisis-inflicted trauma, and achieve their full potential in life.
Peace of Mind Foundation is an NGO established in 2022 to provide mental health relief to war-traumatised children. We exist to provide relief and restore hope for young people affected by conflict, giving them the tools they need to work through darkness and despair.
We find, fund and facilitate front-line organisations treating children through art (and) therapy. Through artistic expression, children can explore and navigate their traumatic experiences, addressing emotional issues through a creative outlet. The healing power of this process can be profound.
Trapped by war-trauma
Children in crisis zones face unimaginable trauma. Many see incomprehensible things, like friends and family members wounded or killed. Some are victims of violence and exploitation, often sexual.
Events like these can condemn a child to a life of despair and darkness. Stuck in the cycle of trauma, many lose the ability to imagine, to play, to learn, to trust, and to hope.
Anxiety, stress and anger difficulties have a devastating effect on development through childhood, school and into adulthood. Trauma also damages communities, collective healing, and reconciliation efforts. It can leave whole generations unable to move forward and live fulfilled lives.
In 2019, 142 million children faced such horrors. Every year, this number increases. But treatment remains severely underfunded, leaving millions stranded, trapped in a life without hope.
The restorative power of art
– Our Mission
We use the transformative power of art (and) therapy to free children from their despair, re-opening the possibility of a healthier, happier future.
Art (and the creative process) is an incredible therapeutic tool. It allows children to reconcile their emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behaviour and addictions, develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and increase their self-esteem.
Working with our partners, we bring this proven and effective mental health therapy to the children who need it most, all around the globe.
Our work raises awareness of the need for his war-trauma therapy, ensures access for affected children, develops guidance and materials for therapy training, and supports young artists from conflict and catastrophe zones.
Uplifting. Encouraging. Galvanising.
– Our Values
With integrity:
We value honesty and transparency – we do the right thing, and work efficiently, with conviction.
With humanity:
We value the preciousness of human life above politics – we are neutral, impartial, and work tirelessly to heal children’s minds.
With hope:
We value hope above all. It’s the reason we exist – to restore it to children affected by war, violence and chaos.
Get to know the faces behind
the Peace of Mind Foundation
Lea Zoric
FOUNDER
Lea is an international development and crisis response expert. She has over 12 years professional experience, and holds degrees in Politics, War Studies and International Development from the University of Kent and King’s College London.
Being of German and Serbian origin, Lea has always had a personal interest in aiding people affected by war and conflict.
In 2010, her first job in international development brought her to Afghanistan, where she joined the German Development Cooperation (GIZ). Working on a state-building programme, Lea collaborated with provincial and district councils to implement regional development projects and strengthen local administration.
During this time, she developed her interest in trauma therapy: while her project (like most international assistance) focussed on rebuilding infrastructure and public administration, she felt that to make any meaningful progress, the local people’s trauma and the suffering of Afghanistan as a nation needed to be addressed.
Lea carried this insight with her when she joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). At UNDP, Lea worked in various capacities, in New York, the Solomon Islands, Seoul, and Geneva. Her focus was on women’s political participation in electoral cycles, transparency, crisis prevention and resilience building.
But her interest in the “mental health and trauma response” gap in the international aid community remained – and in 2022, Lea and her partner Nick decided to tackle this important issue. The Peace of Mind Foundation was born.
Nick Riley
FOUNDER
Nick is a senior partner at BlueCrest Capital, where he has headed the global Emerging Markets macro business since 2008 – a role requiring in-depth understanding of international political and socio-economic developments.
Nick graduated in Mathematics and Philosophy from Oxford University and completed a masters degree in Artificial Intelligence at Sussex University. He then worked at Morgan Stanley in London and New York, where he was a managing director and head of Latin American bond and currency trading.
Nick is an underwriter of Empower, a well-established charity responsible for supporting marginalised youth in middle and low-income countries. With his partner, Lea, he is committed to helping achieve better outcomes for children affected by conflict, crisis, and other highly traumatic events.
Afrodet Zuri
CO-FOUNDER
Afrodet Zuri is a philanthropist, art curator, art dealer and published writer.
Born in Israel to Palestinian and Israeli parents, she is no stranger to conflict and chaos and is constantly pursuing beauty in the midst of it. She moved to New York over a decade ago to pursue her master’s degree in Contemporary Art at the Institute for Art at Sotheby’s.
Believing in the healing power of art and being a strong advocate for mental health, Afrodet volunteered as an art therapy facilitator for ArtBridge, using art therapy to create a safe, non-judgmental environment for at risk children in environments such as a halfway home and a mental institution.
In addition to her passion for the arts, she has championed numerous causes over the years including but not limited to those focusing on issues of human rights, child hunger, ocean conservation and mental health.
Afrodet is the founding Co-chair of Storm King Circle, the young patrons group for Storm King Art Center, a founding Contemporary of the Whitney Museum as well as a founding Patron of Fotografiska Museum, and is extremely passionate about spreading awareness through Peace of Mind in her capacity as co-founder and board member.