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

— one person, one family at a time!

What impacts our lives can be eye opening—positive or traumatic.

Peace Neighborhood Center has always paid attention to both. Our programs for youth, parents, and families seek to open eyes to new possibilities and provide pathways to healing.

This Fall, we welcomed over 142 elementary, middle, and high school students to our After School programs—working with them to ensure they receive the academic, social, and emotional support they need to succeed in school. And over the past 12 months we have become more intentional in addressing the trauma that our youth, parents, and families have experienced. With your support, Peace has developed a new Wellness Center and programming to help address the many causes of intergenerational trauma—to be able to break cycles and change the trajectory of our families’ lives.

We launched Wellness programming at the beginning of this year. The initial response has surpassed our wildest dreams. Over 55 parents and youth signed up for a range of wellness activities, participated in support groups to discuss shared experiences and challenges, and have taken advantage of the individual and family counseling we offer with our two licensed clinical social workers. All are designed to impact their lives in positive ways—to understand and heal from their previous trauma, while ensuring they won’t pass it onto the next generation.

At 11 years old, I took my first road trip with Rose Martin as part of “Operation Education.” This was the first of many road trips that have transformed my life. Trips to Manistee, Michigan, Washington D.C., and the Grand Canyon all allowed me to see our country and expand my perspective. These experiences became the catalyst that allowed me to dream and create a life larger than my immediate environment.

Because of your support, 25 young people—who worked hard to earn a spot—were able to take a Transformational Road Trip this summer that expanded their worlds and ideas about future possibilities. They visited with a world renown artist in Miami, fished in the Atlantic ocean, toured the King Center in Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium, explored the Everglades, crossed the Mackinac bridge, swam in Lake Michigan, and witnessed a glorious summer sunset.

When we planned this summer’s schedule of trips, I thought it was crazy to consider driving over 6,000 miles! But I have no regrets, and I am grateful that we’ve been able to reestablish this Peace tradition and provide life-changing experiences for the next generation. I continue to believe in the goodness and greatness of ALL of us. And I continue to believe that Peace’s collective programs and services not only provide critical assistance that help stabilize families, but also help people find a positive path forward toward healing, long-term success, and peace.

A mother of four wrote to me one day this Spring:

“Me and the kids are happier and healthier because of Peace… It’s like the more
I come the better I feel. Just saying thank you seems so little. You’ll always have
a place in my heart and I’ll always pray for you every single day.”

I’m grateful for her prayers, and know they are welcomed and felt by all of us in the Peace Neighborhood Family—especially me! At 62, I’m proud to still say that I am a Peace kid. And even prouder of the change you all help create here. Thank you for your continuing support.

Peace and Blessings to you and your family this holiday season,

Bonnie Billups, Jr.
Executive Director

Read our 2021 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.