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!

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,

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.

 

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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March is Reading Month and each week Peace youth programs have focused on a different book genre as they have explored various worlds of fiction and the imagination. This past week, students delved into the magical tradition of fantasy.

Over the course of the week, children had the opportunity to read the book 'Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale' and write letters to the dragon, illustrate their own book as they listened to fantasy-themed music, create their own fictional planets filled with unique creatures and imagine what magical gifts they would like to see behind their own magical door just like in Disney's Encanto.

Whether here or in another galaxy, the magic of reading and imagination is alive and well at Peace!
... See MoreSee Less

March is Reading Month and each week Peace youth programs have focused on a different book genre as they have explored various worlds of fiction and the imagination. This past week, students delved into the magical tradition of fantasy. 

Over the course of the week, children had the opportunity to read the book Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale and write letters to the dragon, illustrate their own book as they listened to fantasy-themed music, create their own fictional planets filled with unique creatures and imagine what magical gifts they would like to see behind their own magical door just like in Disneys Encanto. 

Whether here or in another galaxy, the magic of reading and imagination is alive and well at Peace!

Comment on Facebook

It's heartening to see the magic of reading being celebrated and kept alive at Peace😊

We would like to highlight this weekend's Sounds for Scholarships concert to benefit Bethel AME Church's scholarship program. For many years, this program has helped to send many of our area's young people to college including several members of Peace's College Career Prep program.

Please consider purchasing a ticket for some great music featuring the Detroit Youth Choir and Community High School Jazz Band at Huron High School on Sunday, Mar. 19th from 2pm to 4pm. Follow the link below to get yours today.

app.neptix.com/events/sounds-for-scholarships

Bethel AME - Ann Arbor, MI
... See MoreSee Less

We would like to highlight this weekends Sounds for Scholarships concert to benefit Bethel AME Churchs scholarship program.  For many years, this program has helped to send many of our areas young people to college including several members of Peaces College Career Prep program.  

Please consider purchasing a ticket for some great music featuring the Detroit Youth Choir and Community High School Jazz Band at Huron High School on Sunday, Mar. 19th from 2pm to 4pm. Follow the link below to get yours today.

https://app.neptix.com/events/sounds-for-scholarships

Bethel AME - Ann Arbor, MI

Due to the predicted winter weather tonight and into tomorrow morning, Peace Neighborhood Center will NOT be doing our weekly Food Distribution on Friday 3/9. The building will open at 11am for business. ... See MoreSee Less

Our thanks goes out to The Ypsilanti Jack and Jill Associates Chapter for their generous donation of so many diapers, toiletries and household items to assist the families that Peace serves. Special thanks to members Kim Gardiner, Lynette Miller and Susan Bunton for bringing everything over to the center today. We are grateful for all you do!

Jack and Jill of America Inc., Ypsilanti, MI
... See MoreSee Less

Our thanks goes out to The Ypsilanti Jack and Jill Associates Chapter for their generous donation of so many diapers, toiletries and household items to assist the families that Peace serves. Special thanks to members Kim Gardiner, Lynette Miller and Susan Bunton for bringing everything over to the center today. We are grateful for all you do! 

Jack and Jill of America Inc., Ypsilanti, MI

Comment on Facebook

Thank you to The Ypsilanti Jack and Jill Associates Chapter and to all those who contribute to making their community a better place.🥰

Our impact on

Your Community

17,000 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