Helping
Children, Families, and Individuals
build futures that include self-suffiiciency and positive community involvement
“Full STEAM Ahead”
Dear Peace Family –
I might be dating myself by referencing an old children’s book classic, “The Little Engine that Could”, but the central theme “I think I can, I think I can . . .“ resonates when I think of all the ways Peace’s Summer Camps give young people the chance to explore new experiences and find out what they’re capable of. Whether it’s skating down a ramp at the Ann Arbor Skatepark, recording a podcast, helping to design a new picnic table, traversing a zip line, or learning about the brain at a visit to the University of Michigan’s Neuroscience Department.
This Spring, Peace Staff have been busy planning another full summer of activities for our 2024 Summer Camp programs—incorporating opportunities for learning and exploration around Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math. Traditional Tuesday trips to Silver Lake will include a component around exploring the Lake’s ecology. Special interest clubs including Robotics & Legos, Nature & Park Rangers, Gardening Club, Podcasts, and Health Cooking will highlight science and math concepts. And local field trips will take Peace Campers to the Leslie Science Center and Hands On Museum.
Two Transformational Road Trips will include a Civil Rights Tour to Memphis and Montgomery, Alabama for middle and high school boys—and a road trip up north to The Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, where elementary schoolers will learn how freighters navigate the historic channel between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.
This Spring, we will also be celebrating four Peace Alumni, who started at Peace as young campers and are now graduating from college:
- Ruhi is graduating from Grand Valley State with an interdisciplinary undergraduate degree in Global Studies & Social Impact, with a double minor in Anthropology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies;
- Mobin is graduating with a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and will be attending graduate school at UM’s School for Environment and Sustainability after taking a gap year;
- Terra is graduating from Tennessee State with a BS in Health Information & Management; and
- Alex is graduating from Central Michigan with an undergraduate business degree (BBA) in Logistics Management.
At Peace, we love to launch life-long learning. With your support, we can provide another memorable summer filled with transformational learning experiences that open up a world of new possibilities for our young people—inspiring them to find their greatness and dream big.
With Appreciation,
Bonnie Billups, Jr.
Executive Director
Read our 2023 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.
Thank you to The Haven of Ann Arbor - Ann Arbor, MI for recently dropping off back packs & school supplies that they collected from residents as a part of Peace's back-to-school efforts. We truly appreciate your generosity and commitment to the children we serve!
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Greg Harden first connected with Peace back in the 80's, when Rose Martin convinced him to assist with some workshops for Peace parents. Throughout the years (over 45), he has been a friend, inspiration and cheerleader to me personally. Over the years when time meant we didn't have as much contact, it didn't matter. When I would run into him at an event, store, walking down the street, or at a mutual friend's house, his eyes would light up when he saw me. He always made you, no matter who you are, feel as if you were the most important person on the planet. I know the U of M Athletic family is hurting and the impact that he had will not be duplicated. He touched all of us. I'll miss running into him and always parting with that feeling of wonder. Peace and Love
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
My brother worked with him at the university athletic department so I had the privilege to meet him a few times, his energy could light up a room, as you do. May he rest in the universe.
Great brother will be missed.
Peace Neighborhood Center is very proud to announce that Youth Programs Director Raven Vawters recently graduated from University of Michigan's School of Social Work with her Master's of Social Work degree. Raven has been a part of the Peace Family since she was a kid in programs, and we are overjoyed to see her take this next step of her professional career.
Raven has been a member of the Peace staff since 2017, demonstrating leadership and taking on more responsibility over time. In her current role as Youth Programs Director, Raven oversees all of the many moving parts of Peace's after school and summer youth programs. Reflecting on this milestone, Raven looks forward to using all she has learned in her studies to providing even greater depth to services Peace offers to families:
"For me Peace means home and family...After working at Peace for so many years I have gained so much invaluable knowledge about providing support to children and families. By obtaining my MSW I want to be able to continue to expand the services that I am able to provide...I did it not only for myself but my son, and all the Peace kids and parents out there."
Congratulations, Raven! We could not be more proud!
48 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations! Well deserved
Raven, I, along with my daughter Tina (LMSW) are SO very proud of you for your hard work and graduation with your MSW degree! We wish you all the best in your endeavors for the future!
Bonnie, this is why we do the work. Man, this is what I pray for! Congratulations Raven!
Congratulations Raven! 🎊🎉
Congratulations Raven!!
Congratulations Raven!!!
Congratulations Raven!
Congratulations Raven💖
Congratulations Raven!!! 🎓
Congratulations Raven! 🤩🎉
Congratulations Raven!
Congratulations love bug🎊🎊🎊
Congratulations Raven!
Congratulations Raven!!!!
Congratulations Raven
Congratulations Raven!!! 💐
Yay, Raven!! So grateful for your work 😊
Congratulations Raven!!!🩷
Go Raven!!! Congratulations 🎉🎊🍾
Congratulations Sweetheart
Congrats Raven!
Congrats Raven!!!!
Congrats Raven!
Congrats Raven!!
Congratulations and Go Blue!
Peace Neighborhood's own Bonnie Billups is being honored in a special nighttime Art Installation at Wheeler Park this Week!
The Ann Arbor Summer Festival and Ann Arbor District Library are celebrating a select group of community leaders who have made a lasting impact in the Ann Arbor community via a special nighttime art installation at Wheeler Park that runs this Wed, Sept 4th - Sunday, Sept 8th, 8:00 pm - 10:30 pm.
Monuments by Australian-based visual artist Craig Walsh will feature Bonnie, alongside Joyce Hunter (President/CEO of the African American Cultural and Historical Museum of Washtenaw County (and a long-time Peace volunteer!) and community activists Keith Orr & Martin Contreras, through large-scale digital portraits that will be projected onto trees at Wheeler Park every night this week. This very cool installation is part of the Library's A200's Living History to help celebrate Ann Arbor's 200th Anniversary.
Join the Peace Family this Saturday, Sept 7th, 7:30 - 9:30 pm at Wheeler for cider & doughnuts and to view the Installation!
Need a ride? Peace will be providing transportation shuttles from our North Maple Road facility every 20 minutes starting at 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm.
To Sign up for the Peace shuttle: docs.google.com/forms/d/1NpyrHStJdCqDuRpC6TWgFSD3pxbQ1tZYs02fy2VY36g/edit?ts=66d7896d
17 CommentsComment on Facebook
Congratulations Bonnie and well deserved for your on going support in the A2 community!🎈🎉
A well deserved honor Bonnie Billups Jr, you must be celebrated. Thank you for all the good you and your staff do for the community, children and families.
Congratulations Bonnie! I’m so happy to celebrate someone who has made such a difference in the lives of so many kids!
Congratulations! Well deserved recognition
Congratulations Bonnie! A pillar of the community, for many years!
Congratulations Bonnie Billups! 🎉🎉🎉
Way to go Bonnie Billups Jr !!! Be sure to call We Rock The Spectrum - Ann Arbor connect with Tanya! &/or Robin! We want to give the kids an opportunity to have fun 🤩
Congratulations 🎊
Congratulations Bon!
Congratulations Brother, well deserved!
thank you for everything ❤️ you do Bonnie we love you
Bonnie, what a deserving individual! Congrats 🎊
Congratulations!
Congratulations 🎉
Congratulations Bon. I’m definitely coming. 👌🏾
Well deserved! 🥰
Yesterday we were closed! Yes it was Labor Day. But it also marked the 26th Anniversary of Cornelius Olive's employment here at Peace. Many of you know Corn as we call him here. He is without a doubt the greatest amongst us! He wants or desires no fanfare. He will not desire to be acknowledged, but he should be! His life, mentorship, friendship and humility has positively affected the lives of Hundreds and Hundreds of people. He is a quiet Hero and true Servant to Humanity. We Love and cherish him!
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
One of the kindest people I’ve ever met ❤️ happy anniversary
Blessings for many more years at PNC along with good health and joy.
I just made a donation in honor of Mr. Olive's dedication. I don't know him personally but I am thankful for his work at Peace.
Cornelius is such a kind and wonderful man!! He's a great asset to the Ann Arbor community! Happy Anniversary, Mr. Olive!!
Congratulations my great friend, you're the truth 🙏✌️
Congratulations Corn, a true Hero! 👏🙏
Happy Anniversary my friend ❤️ you buddy
Amen—-thank you Corn!!!
Thankful for Corn every day.
❤️Corn’s the man
Corn has blessed my life in so many ways…🙏🏻❤️
We love Corn!
A very kind man😊
The absolute best!!
It is a great honor to call him a friend and co worker ♥️
Big FACTS!!! Love 🤞🏽❤️
Your Community
18,000 individuals
helped through Washtenaw County
13,000 meals
in youth service
60 young adults
guided into college
Lauren
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Ann Arbor, MI 48103
(734) 662-3564
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