Serving

Children, Families, and Individuals

affected by social and economic problems

Thank you for helping Peace strengthen our community and provide pathways to healing

— one person, one family at a time!

Absolute Bliss. Just how often in life have you found yourself experiencing such a thing? I know that in a world seemingly filled with pain, it can be easy to miss or forget about those moments. They may get drowned out by bad news, worry, or the stress that can often invade our everyday existence. It can be easy to lose sight of our blessings, leaving us feeling lost or overwhelmed by a world we can’t control or understand.

That is why I feel honored to be a part of what happens here at Peace Neighborhood Center. Every day, I get to witness moments of absolute bliss, growth, and grace—understanding how important those moments are to each individual I have the privilege to know.

One example that comes to mind happened last summer on one of our Transformational Road Trips. These trips take Peace youth on a journey to a place they otherwise might not be able to go, offering them experiences and a view of the world beyond what they previously thought possible. When we finally got to Florida after traveling 1,400 miles in the van, nine boys got to see the ocean—many for the first time. And one of those moments of absolute bliss came roaring to life. These boys, who often try to act older than they are, poured out of the van, kicked off their shoes, and raced across the sand to play in the surf. All with gigantic smiles. When I think of all that we try to accomplish on these trips, I can’t help but think back to the pure joy of that moment shining on those young faces. Absolute bliss.

What about closer to home? Here at Peace, I also get to witness moments of grace and real growth in all the lives we touch. In our new Wellness Program, we help address a lot of trauma and pain, by giving parents the space to open up and heal within a caring, supportive environment. Even there, with all the heartache that’s addressed, we still witness moments of grace, as parents listen to and support one another. And recently, when a much-loved six-year-old girl passed away unexpectedly, we witnessed so much grace in our community’s response—including the many ways our own Peace families stepped up to wrap a grieving family with love and caring support.

So when friends try to remind me that this world is a dark place, I cannot agree. I’ve seen moments when our kids experience true joy; witnessed too much growth; and been moved by the grace and strength among our Peace Family to be entirely pessimistic about the world or its future. At Peace Neighborhood Center we always seek to find the greatness in everyone and to be present every day—to capture those moments when someone’s smile or their offer to help says it all.

As I look ahead, I see more great things on Peace’s horizon—more lives touched and more souls healed. We have the opportunity to invest in a new initiative and footprint in Ypsilanti Township. It’s a unique opportunity to bring the Peace model and our 51 years of experience to an underserved area of Washtenaw County—and partner with other local agencies to help Ypsilanti residents take steps toward their own transformational journey. While big news for Peace, helping to bring about change for more families in our wider community is an inevitable step in the legacy of growth and service that Rose Martin helped steer this organization toward decades ago.

Peace Family, we are so thankful for your continuing support of all that we do. Countless moments like the ones we share here are possible because of your continued commitment and investment in our work. We could not do it without you. And that is my bliss, my hope—that by working together, we have the power to change lives. Thank you!

With Gratitude,

Bonnie Billups, Jr.
Executive Director

Read our 2022 Annual Report and discover how Peace utilizes your donations. Check out our Stories and Snapshots and learn about the breadth of Peace’s impact over the past 50+ years.

 

Peace Family,

As we face the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to work with our youth and families—many of whom have experienced extraordinary hardships. We continue to prioritize programming, as well as invest in new initiatives:

  1. Academic support for youth, including investments in early literacy and child development
  2. Expanded food distribution and emergency assistance
  3. A new wellness program to improve our youth and families’ physical, nutritional, and mental health
  4. Transformational road trips that give older youth extraordinary learning experiences beyond our neighborhood

Please consider a gift to Peace Neighborhood Center through the secure link below. With your continuing support, Peace can continue to change lives. Thank you!

 

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And we're back! Peace kicked off our After-School Programs on September 18th, welcoming over 120 students across all age groups, K-12. We can't wait to see what Peace kids accomplish this year!

Programming for elementary, middle, and high school students offer individualized academic support, educational and enrichment experiences, vital social/emotional learning, college & career prep, and advocacy to help ensure Peace youth graduate from high school and go on to college or a skilled trade program.

#Peace #afterschool
... See MoreSee Less

And were back! Peace kicked off our After-School Programs on September 18th, welcoming over 120 students across all age groups, K-12. We cant wait to see what Peace kids accomplish this year!

Programming for elementary, middle, and high school students offer individualized academic support, educational and enrichment experiences, vital social/emotional learning, college & career prep, and advocacy to help ensure Peace youth graduate from high school and go on to college or a skilled trade program.

#Peace #afterschool

We want to thank Dr. Jeanice Swift for her leadership of the Ann Arbor Public Schools District. Throughout her tenure and with her continued support, Peace has been able to maintain a long and trusted partnership with AAPS— making it possible for the agency to provide a critical bridge between home and school for the some 150+ k-12 students enrolled in our After-School Programs.

During COVID, our partnership with the District made it possible for Peace to host over 150+ students in-person, during the school day, on a rotating basis to support their virtual learning. AAPS provided onsite technical support to ensure under-resourced students had access to the technology and support they needed. Under Dr. Swift's leadership, AAPS helped Peace deliver over 200+ meals twice a week to ensure all students received the meals they would ordinarily have access to at school.

From the beginning and throughout her tenure, Dr. Swift also took extra time at the end of a work day to join Peace Neighborhood Center parents, students, and families at our Back-to-School nights and other celebrations. It has been Peace Neighborhood Center's experience that Dr. Swift has served this community with Integrity, Leadership and a Vision that promotes equity for all public school students.

On behalf of Peace's staff and families, we are grateful for her service and efforts to help ensure Peace students receive the support they need to learn and succeed in school.
... See MoreSee Less

We want to thank Dr. Jeanice Swift for her leadership of the Ann Arbor Public Schools District. Throughout her tenure and with her continued support, Peace has been able to maintain a long and trusted partnership with AAPS— making it possible for the agency to provide a critical bridge between home and school for the some 150+ k-12 students enrolled in our After-School Programs. 

During COVID, our partnership with the District made it possible for Peace to host over 150+ students in-person, during the school day, on a rotating basis to support their virtual learning. AAPS provided onsite technical support to ensure under-resourced students had access to the technology and support they needed. Under Dr. Swifts leadership, AAPS helped Peace deliver over 200+ meals twice a week to ensure all students received the meals they would ordinarily have access to at school. 

From the beginning and throughout her tenure, Dr. Swift also took extra time at the end of a work day to join Peace Neighborhood Center parents, students, and families at our Back-to-School nights and other celebrations. It has been Peace Neighborhood Centers experience that Dr. Swift has served this community with Integrity, Leadership and a Vision that promotes equity for all public school students. 

On behalf of Peaces staff and families, we are grateful for her service and efforts to help ensure Peace students receive the support they need to learn and succeed in school.

Comment on Facebook

Thank you Bonnie for recognizing the importance of school to home to community partnership and for Dr Swift’s leadership in these efforts!

Your commitment to equity and support for our After-School Programs have made a significant difference in the lives of our students. 📚🌟

Thank you for sharing this Bonnie— it really does take a full partnership to empower the needs of our community, and you have made that happen in the partnership with Dr Swift.

Peace Neighborhood Center's Friday Food Distribution in partnership with Food Gatherers returns this Friday, 9/15!

In need of fresh produce, breads and other items? Stop by between 10am and 11:30am every Friday throughout the school-year.

This small food pantry serves 40-60 local families each week with nutritional items to supplement their weekly groceries—a vital service that helps address food insecurity in our community.
... See MoreSee Less

Peace Neighborhood Centers Friday Food Distribution in partnership with Food Gatherers returns this Friday, 9/15!  

In need of fresh produce, breads and other items? Stop by between 10am and 11:30am every Friday throughout the school-year. 

This small food pantry serves 40-60 local families each week with nutritional items to supplement their weekly groceries—a vital service that helps address food insecurity in our community.

Comment on Facebook

Thank you for your dedication to the community's well-being! 🙏❤️

Our impact on

Your Community

18,000 individuals

helped through Washtenaw County

13,000 meals

in youth service

60 young adults

guided into college

The Peace Center is like a home away from home. It really is special, both in the summer and during after school programs. This place feels like it is our roots. Even as you grow, you still are with your roots.
Lauryn Comer

Lauren

Locations

We are in your neighborhood

Main Facility

1111 N. Maple Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 662-3564

Maple Meadows Satellite Center

880 S. Maple Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

West Arbor Satellite Center

717 N. Maple Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Peace House

1111 N. Maple Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103