Make Time for Peace

Do you live in Ann Arbor Michigan? Is it a short drive away? Are you planning a trip to the area? If so make time to visit the ultimate community initiative, Peace Neighborhood Center.

Peace Neighborhood Center' mission is to provide programs for children, families, and individuals who are affected by social and economic problems. Peace helps people discover options, enhance skills, and make choices that lead to self-sufficiency and positive community involvement.

Executive Director, Bonnie Billups Jr. explains that Peace Neighborhood Center is in it for the long haul, to ensure that those who come through the door receive the continued support need to be self sufficient and find their greatness.

Peace Neighborhood Center has been serving the Ann Arbor Community for over 38 years and over time has expanded in order to meet the challenges of integrating communities, combating drugs and violence, and addressing educational and economic equalities.

There are a variety of youth programs. REACH and Alternatives for Youth after school programs offer activities to promote the development of social skills, healthy positive attitudes, leadership skills and goal setting. These programs are support by more than 150 volunteer tutors. In addition to after school programs , Peace Neighborhood Center offers summer day camp, College/Career Prep Club, mentoring, and Performance Arts Academy.

This organizations commitment to family is evident in the variety of programs for youth as well as adults. The Center offers several groups and programs to assist with substance abuse recovery and prevention, counseling, advocacy and assistance, and homelessness.

Peace Neighborhood Centers Family Enrichment Program represents the cornerstone of family togetherness. Participants enjoy family cooking, internet/email workshops, a family fun and are reward for their participation.

Peace partners with a host of local organizations to include United Way, Ann Arbor Jack and Jill, the University of Michigan. As well Peace has an extremely diverse group of board members representing a wealth of experience and commitment to the Ann Arbor community, and is a model for new and growing nonprofits to emulate. Starting & Building a Nonprofit: A Practical Guide

The center has a lot to offer the entire community, with innovative programs and ways to get involved. Current volunteer opportunities include after-school tutoring, program assistants, and grounds maintenance. You can also make a donation no matter where in the world you are with their secure online donation page http://www.peaceneighborhoodcenter.org/donate.php.
Peace Neighborhood Center is generously supported by local area grocery stores through their community rewards programs. With very little effort, you can support Peace every time you shop, learn more at http://www.peaceneighborhoodcenter.org/grocery_cards.php.
With the Script Card Program, buy a gift certificate from there page and Peace will receive a percentage donation from the company with no cost to you. You get the exact amount of goods or services that you pay for. Find out more at https://www.peaceneighborhoodcenter.org/scrip_options.php.

Make time for peace in your neighborhood.

With the World Cup coming to an end, let us not forget Africa

Music sensation Shakira is determined to leave a legacy that will have a positive impact on African development. Shakira’s camp released this news statement about the Barefoot Foundation's project in South Africa.

“Barefoot founder and 1Goal Ambassador Shakira visited a school in Soweto with the 1GOAL campaign, an international campaign to ensure that education for all is the lasting legacy of World Cup 2010. 1GOAL is supported by the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and FIFA and co-chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan. 1GOAL asks fans to lobby their country's leaders and help ensure all boys and girls have access to quality primary education.

Shakira visited the school in the township of Soweto, sharing her own experiences with students and advocating for the importance of education. She celebrated the heroic efforts of the teachers and students at the school before teaching the students a few dance moves. Shakira's song, "Waka Waka - Time for Africa," is the official anthem of the World Cup and benefits education programs.” –Barefoot Foundation news release.

The Barefoot Foundation‘s aim is to improve education and quality of life for children and partners Colombian Nonprofit, Pies Descalzos. Together the two organizations have launched projects that range from global advocacy and school construction to food programs and psychological counseling.


With projects in Columbia, Haiti, and South Africa, the Barefoot Foundation can use your help. Learn how you can sponsor a child, make a donation, volunteer, spread the word and much more at http://www.barefootfoundation.org/.

More celebraties are lending a hand to improve education. Serena Williams, tennis pro, opened a second school in Kenya with the help of Build African Schools, a non- profit organization dedicated to building schools, installing electric power and providing computers and other educational equipment for children in Africa, http://www.buildafricanschools.org/

The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education (AAFE) has reached tremendous heights toward improving access to quality education for children in the US, through Agassi Prep located in Nevada. "AAFE, is more than a school or a set of beliefs, it is a movement committed to transforming education so that all children have a shot at success," express the Agassi camp, http://www.agassifoundation.org/.

Learn more about what celebrities are doing to impact social change and also contact them via http://www.looktothestars.org/.

If You Wanna Make the World a Better Place

This weekend was tremendous, a vision came full circle, and Team Ramstein was formed. A few amazing women joined together to raise $2,806 USD and run for Women for Women International UK’s Run for Congo Women Initiative. This was the first run hosted by the UK office and raised over $30,000 USD, 100% of which will go to support the training program in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Women sponsored into this program receive food, clean water, and clothing for themselves and their children, school for children, education programs to improve literacy, job skills training to start a business and empower a woman to change her community. There are real people behind what we are doing, meet Honorata a survivor, business woman, community leader, graduate of Women for Women program, a success!

I am truly proud of our team, Terri Miles, Ebony Johnson, Rebecca Cave, Lauren Almond, Heather Perry, Michelle Miller, Marissa Skidmore and myself. We pushed ourselves in different ways, some running in their first race, others far exceeding their fundraising goals, and all of us increasing awareness of how women are affected on a global scale.

Being compelled to change the things we see as unjust or in need of improvement, takes self reflection. As the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson said, “If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change,” serve your local and global community. We all have the power to inspire and enact positive change. See US based and international organization that would love to have your support, no matter how far or near you are, no matter how much or how little time you have to spare.

Save the Children, works to ensure children get proper healthcare, food, education and protection. They are saving lives in emergencies, campaigning for children's rights, and improving their futures through long-term development work. More than 9 million children are still dying every year before their fifth birthday. We need to act together, now, to change this appalling reality. Find out how you can assist http://www.savethechildren.org/.

Eat So They Can is a movement that is committed to helping children and women across Africa, Asia, and South America break the poverty cycle. Sign up to host your own dinner and choose to support one of our important causes: Orphaned and Vulnerable Children, Women's Empowerment, Emergency Relief, or Anti-Trafficking. Find out more http://www.eatsotheycan.org/.

 

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program contributes to peace and development through volunteerism. UNV is inspired by the conviction that volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and by the idea that everyone can contribute their time and energy towards peace and development. With partners, UNV advocates for volunteerism, integrates volunteerism into development planning and mobilizes volunteers. The enormous potential of volunteerism is an inspiration to UNV and to volunteers around the world. Learn more about how to become a UN volunteer http://www.unv.org/how-to-volunteer.html.

Women for Women International believes that when women are well, sustain an income, are decision-makers, and have strong social networks and safety-nets, they are in a much stronger position to advocate for their rights. This philosophy and our commitment to local leadership, builds change and capacity at the grassroots level. To join this effort or sponsor a woman visit http://www.womenforwomen.org/help-women/help-women-globally.php.

Earthwatch is an international environmental charity which is committed to conserving the diversity and integrity of life on earth to meet the needs of current and future generations. We work with a wide range of partners, from individuals who work as conservation volunteers on research teams through to corporate partners, governments and institutions. Find out how you can become directly involved in environmental research and conservation at http://www.earthwatch.org/getinvolved/

Please don't feel limited to these organizations, research, continue to read this blog and find the best support for the change you wish to see in the world.



"Man In The Mirror" Man In The Mirror (Remastered Version)



I'm Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It's Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror (Official Music Video). Watch more top selected videos about: Michael_Jackson