Make the world a better place for $25 a year!   

Members connect with like-minded people as they commit to something

greater than themselves.

One hot Tuesday evening in June, Laura walked into 6833 Stanley Avenue in Berwyn and asked “What exactly is The Peace Center?” We weren’t open yet and we were covered in paint splatters from the day’s work getting the place ready.  

Laura had already been chatting and speculating about us with her friends on her various social networking sites. She’d been watching the remodeling going on from the street through the display windows and sending updates on the Internet. Now she wanted the real scoop to report back. We sat down to connect face to face. Before she left, she knew about Nonviolent Communications and the vision to create a space where people could discover and be reminded about creating inner and outer peace.  

Laura is one of the brave ones who heard something was brewing in the Depot District and went out to discover for herself. She came back to the workshop and book study on Nonviolent Communications (NVC). Today more people know about us thanks to Laura, not just because of her journalistic talents, but because she learned a new skill, used it in real life, and it changed her life.  

A few weeks later, Laura was back at The Peace Center to find the perfect inspirational gift for her mother. I asked her if she’d gotten a chance to use any nonviolent communications and she told this heartwarming story. 

Laura reported that there had been a disagreement with one of her neighbors who cut down part of her favorite tree that was hanging over his driveway. In his zeal, he also cut down part of the tree that was on her side of the property line. Using the tools of NVC, she was able to discuss this situation and diffuse it from escalating further. Turns out, the neighbor had the sincere intention of being helpful and this intention of peace was then used as the foundation of a better relationship. “I have the best neighbors today!” Now that is something to tweet about! 

Laura knows that the programs we offer make the world a better place, and we’d like more people to know firsthand. Though sales from the retail shop and class fees account for half of our income, we turn to businesses, grantmakers and individual donors to help us meet the rest of our expenses. We would like to extend this opportunity for you to give a little to the peaceful future of Berwyn in the form of a membership to The Peace Center. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for three projects in the coming year: 

·         The Pace People Dance Company – by initiating new projects for youth, this program is offered as an after school activity for Berwyn’s young people. The mission of the dance company is to promote the message of peace through artistic expression and to take this expression out into the community, especially to those unable to attend a theater or performance space: veterans homes, senior citizens centers, and people in hospitals or extended care. In the meanwhile, young people are taught valuable lessons in self esteem, poise, confidence, as well as giving back of their talent to the community.

·         The Embrace Berwyn Campaign – Because peace is a local concern first, our primary ambition is not to change the world, but to uplift the community that we are in. Our attention is toward showcasing works of Berwyn artisans, hearing the ideas of Berwyn based teachers and speakers, and raising awareness for decreasing violence and crime in Berwyn, one person at a time.

·         The Prison Peace Project – this is a project to bring peace education into prisons, to organize peace groups, spiritual support groups, and study groups with incarcerated populations. Numerous studies support the finding that when 1% of the population anywhere intentionally and deliberately prays/meditates for peace, violence decreases 20%. What better place to prove the principle than in our prisons? 

In this economy we know that a charitable gift of $25 is perhaps a lot to ask, especially from a new organization. However, we feel the time is right and Berwyn is the perfect place. In the coming year, we expect to serve thousands from Berwyn and the surrounding area: 

·         We expect to serve 15 young people in The Pace People Dance Company who in turn will touch the hearts of 2,000 others who see them perform.

·         We expect to engage 500 new Berwynites in the Embrace Berwyn campaign, to attract them in programs that encourage visible practices of tolerance and compassion in the community, who in turn will touch at least one other person to “catch the fire”.  That’s 1,000 people tuned in to making Berwyn a wonderful place to live.

·         We expect to reach 1,300 prisoners with our Prison Peace Project in the first year. That is one individual per state and federal prison in the United States.  

Please take a moment to complete the membership/donation form and return it with your check. Your gift is tax deductible. We look forward to speaking with you soon at one of our dialogue groups or over a cup of coffee! With your help, we can extend the message of peace to YOUR neighbors (and you!).  

All Good to You! 

Margo Ruark and Mike Gerdes, Executive Directors 

P.S. When you become a member of The Peace Center, you’ll receive 10% discounts on our life changing classes, seminars, or inspirational gift items.  You'll also receive a FREE 25 minute Life Coaching session with Cherise Greski. Paid members will receive a code to recieve their free session.

The Peace Center, a DBA of The Center for the New Humanity, Inc. is organized to operate exclusively for charitable purposes that qualify under section 501(c)3. Thank you for your support.  

Becoming a member of The Peace Center indicates a willingness to make a serious commitment to something greater than yourself.  Membership is $25/year and is renewed annually.

        Yes! I want to make the world a beter place with a membership to The Peace Center!