Saturday Reading Champions is Back!
March has been filled with all kinds of reading activities at Peace— including the return of our successful Saturday Reading Champions program. First piloted in 2019, we had to take a pause during COVID due to scheduling and staff capacity—until now! On Saturday, March 18th, elementary school families and teachers gathered once again for brunch and fun reading activities.

Developed in partnership with Abbott Elementary School Teachers and Building Literacy Experts across the Ann Arbor Public Schools, this six week program is designed to offer parents and guardians special strategies and techniques they can use to strengthen early literacy at home, including reading with their children and “literacy-on-the-go” activities.
A delicious brunch kicks off the morning’s activities with a nutritious meal meant to get everyone ready for a solid morning of learning. The brunch also serves as an important opportunity for parents to connect one-on-one with teachers. Children are then treated to grade-specific reading activities with reading volunteers, while parents have the opportunity to learn techniques designed to enhance reading comprehension and discuss reading topics with teachers.
Thank you to Emily Wark and Colleen McAlinden from Abbott Elementary for leading our parent discussion on the 18th! We look forward to many more Reading Champion Saturdays to come!
March is Reading Month in Youth Programs
With all of Peace's Youth Programs focused on reading in March, students had plenty of opportunities to explore new worlds and stretch their imaginations. Weekly themes centered on different genres of fiction including fantasy, adventure and fairy tales.
Over the course of the month, younger children in kindergarten and first grade had the opportunity to read the book 'Dear Dragon: A Pen Pal Tale' and write letters to a dragon they designed themselves. Older children illustrated their own books as they listened to fantasy-themed music and painted the images the music evoked in their imaginations.

Meanwhile, middle school students created their own fictional planets filled with unique creatures and properties. These worlds were then used as the backdrop for their own science fiction story placed in that setting. Other students used their imaginations to determine what magical gifts they would like to see behind their own magical door just like in Disney's Encanto. The students decorated the doors and told stories of the powers they would receive behind each one.

The power of our Peace Kids’ imagination has created many worlds here at Peace—all fueled with reading at the core!
College & Career Prep is in good hands!
KAHSHIADA KIDD
College & Career Prep Coordinator

In February, Peace was fortunate to welcome Kahshiada Kidd to our team as College & Career Prep Coordinator. A recent graduate of Central Michigan University with a BS in Community Development, Kahshiada joins the Peace staff with a wealth of experience having attended Peace programs since third grade. As a high school student, she benefited from the College & Career Prep program and is now looking forward to giving back and helping the next group of Peace kids set off on their own journeys.
"Even while at college, I stayed connected to Peace through Kenya, Lauryn and Bonnie. When I think of Peace, I am grateful because Peace will always do what it can to help someone, no matter what they face. I'm so happy to be a part of building a new generation of leaders who are confident and know themselves. I'm excited to be a part of that growth. I want them to know that there are many options available, not just 4-year universities, but many different ways to succeed. I hope to help them find the path that works for them."

Welcome aboard, Kahshiada!
Peace Family, thank you for wrapping our community in love and support! 
Over the course of the past several weeks, nearly 300 individuals have contributed to the special fund Peace established in the wake of the tragic loss of first grader Amayah. These gifts are very much appreciated and will be used to support Amayah’s family during this difficult time—helping them take the time they need to grieve and process the enormity of their loss. For that, we are very grateful.

We will miss Amayah’s presence here at Peace Neighborhood Center. Her energy, bright smile, and joy were contagious. She shared her gifts of laughter, kindness, and curiosity with all those who knew her—here at Peace, at school, and among her family.

Thank you for your generosity of spirit and for reminding us that even in the midst of unexpected loss and pain, we can still create light and hope.
Peace's 2022 Annual Report
Last year marked another year of growth, achievement, life changing experiences, and lessons at Peace. Check out our 2022 Annual Report for a few metrics and stories that reflect the life changing activities and experiences you helped to make possible.

Print copies of the report will be arriving in mailboxes soon, but you can read it online right now by clicking here.
Without you and your continuing annual support, none of what we do here at Peace would be possible. Thank you for your commitment and belief in Peace!