Maple Meadows Satellite Center youth smile before after-school programs

For over 24 years, the Ann Arbor Housing Commission has provided vital space and financial support to Peace programs and community activities at two housing communities on Maple Road. More recently, Peace has also supported adult residents at Baker Commons, a public housing community for downtown Ann Arbor, providing case management services and mental health resources along with community-building and wellness activities. Additionally, this funding allows Peace to offer services to several smaller communities on South Seventh Street, Washington Street, Commerce Street and Siller Terrace.

AAHC’s funding support is made possible by the rebate the City of Ann Arbor gets from the County Sheriff's portion of the County Mental Health millage—which has been essential in Peace’s ability to provide dedicated staff and expand services at all three Satellite Center locations.

Having Peace staff onsite has proven to be a vital component of the wraparound support Peace provides to youth, families, and adults who live in these communities. Our partnership with the AAHC has enabled Peace to expand its reach and in-depth support for working families—over 150 households in total. 70 of these households reside in housing developments where Peace operates two Satellite Centers on Maple Road. Having access to Peace’s programming and activities right in their backyard has helped reduce barriers to participation and build engagement.

We cannot overstate how important this steady public funding has been for Peace. It represents a stable source of annual funding support that Peace can count on, not tied to a fluctuating economy or unpredictable environmental factors.

We are beyond grateful for this long-term support, and look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.

Peace Neighborhood Center Satellite Centers

West Arbor

Maple Meadows

Baker Commons

All through March, Peace has been busy with activities promoting the joys and benefits of reading as a family. 

We kicked off this month with a Family Enrichment visit to the Ann Arbor District Library’s Westgate branch. Peace Families had the chance to get new library cards, check out books,and create their own books together. All together it was a terrific afternoon of reading fun! To promote reading at home, Peace youth and their families have been earning points toward a grand prize for every book they read as a family.

Peace's Youth Programs have also been putting the spotlight on reading. At Peace's main site, elementary youth have been participating in a Lexia challenge to advance their reading skills utilizing the popular online tool. As students log minutes and complete worksheets, they qualify for an ice cream party to be held in early April.

Meanwhile, at Peace's Satellite Centers, youth have been playing a Reading Bingo game filled with prompts such as "read a book about animals", "read a history book" or "read out loud to your tutor". Students have been reading every day for their chance to earn a prize. They have also been creating their own bookmarks such as the one pictured below.

While reading is central to all of Peace programs throughout the year, it is always a treat to see the fun ways our youth get engaged with reading every March.

Happy National Reading Month to all of our readers!

Now an annual tradition, Peace is hosting a special Pre-Mother's Day Brunch to celebrate a multi-generational group of Peace Neighborhood Center Mothers, who as their children’s first teachers, work hard to support their children’s growth & success—with love and care. 

All Peace mothers are welcome to join us on Saturday, May 4th from 11am - 1:00pm. Gift cards, special brunch menu, self-care swag bags & more! Space is limited, so make certain to RSVP today at the link: bit.ly/PNCMothersDay2024

A special thank you to Zeta Phi Beta Sorority for sponsoring this fun and inspiring celebration!