This Spring, we are 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;

• Terra is graduating from Tennessee State with a BS in Health Information & Management;

• Alex is graduating from Central Michigan with an undergraduate business degree (BBA) in Logistics Management; and

• 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.

Full STEAM Ahead

As we plan for another full summer of Peace Neighborhood Center Summer Camp—filled with fun adventures and new learning opportunities for 140+ young people.

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.  

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

At Peace, we appreciate that all mothers are their child's first teacher, and work 24/7 to help their kids learn and grow. On Saturday, May 4th, we had the chance to celebrate a multi-generational group of over 60 Peace Moms at our 3rd annual Pre-Mother's Day Brunch!  

Mothers from our extended Peace Family enjoyed a wonderful home-cooked meal prepared by Chef Brian Sulley Wilson, a Peace Alum. They also had the chance to enjoy a photo booth, play games at their table to deepen their connection to each other, and to receive flowers and special swag bags to take home along with the chance to win bigger prizes like those donated by our area sponsors listed below. A small gesture of appreciation for all they do for their children.

We were overjoyed to have a visit during brunch from the new Superintendent of Ann Arbor Public Schools Jazz Parks along with members of her administration. This was a great opportunity to chat one-on-one with them for a number of Peace Moms about issues impacting their children as AAPS makes decisions about realigning for the coming school year.

Our Annual Pre-Mother’s Day Brunch serves as an extension of Peace Neighborhood Center’s Wellness Center, where mothers can participate in a range of Wellness Activities that build important connections and help them improve their physical health, self-care, and emotional well-being. Bi-Weekly Support Groups provide a brave space for moms to share their personal stories, challenges, and life experiences. Individual & Family Counseling along with behavioral therapy with Peace's two licensed clinical social workers offer mothers additional support.

Special thanks to our Event Sponsor Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Rho Delta Zeta Chapter for supporting Peace Mothers! We are also very grateful for these area businesses who donated prizes for Peace Moms:

Ahmo's Gyros & Deli

Big George's Home Appliance Mart

Blank Slate Creamery

Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa

Jersey Mike's

L.A. Fitness

Lewis Jewelers

M-Den

RelaxStation LTD

Schuler Books Ann Arbor

Ulta Beauty

Zingerman's Community of Businesses