My Nonprofit Reviews
Andria M.
Review for Childrens Peace Education and Community Enrichment Center, Kearney, MO, USA
I've been involved with this since it' s inception. As the President and Director I've seen many lives changed as we taught the programs on making better choices, learning to control emotions, getting along with others, conflict resolution, understanding different cultures and our place on the planet. I've witnessed a boy change from a rowdy youngster that was tearing everything up to a proud mentor of younger children helping them learn what he learned. I've seen parents learn to communicate better with their children and both learned to listen more effectively to each other. I've seen CEO's decide they needed to listen more and talk less to their employees. I've been thrilled when the young children tell others what they learned in the peace centers. We've been proud to have reached thousands of children and seen lives changed and thought processes change for the positive. We do this to touch lives, change attitudes and create a more peaceful future for children and families.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Everything that we do.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Get more volunteers and a permanent location to hold the programs on a regular basis
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you learn about this organization?
Founder
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
Reach as many children and families as possible with a peace program
What is its top priority in the long run?
Help others establish similar programs or add to their programs, possibly have a permanent location from which to work from.
Review for Childrens Peace Education and Community Enrichment Center, Kearney, MO, USA
I'm biased as I'm the Executive Director. But I've seen so many lives changed by the programs presented and the way they help children learn to work together, see that they can resolve their own conflicts, how to avoid bullies and make better life choices. I've seen children that were tagged "the bad kids" work together and learn that teamwork is much more fun than being a bully. I've seen tears and anger turn into smiles and better attitudes just by playing these creative "games" which teach good life skills and being allowed to discuss things and be listened to. The learning centers are all hands-on, interactive activities that allow children to practice and learn to think things through. While they may be using puppets, drama, crafts, drawing, desiging, and building things, they all teach some sort of peacemaking skills such as communication, conflict resolution, taking care of yourself, building self esteem, working together, enhancing good character traits, understanding ecology and how things all work together as well as understanding different cultures. These programs have been used in schools, Homeschool groups, churches, camps, Day camps, After School programs, and special events. We operate these programs with lots of volunteers willing to take the required training and with many donations. We try to provide the programs especially to Title One Schools (low income, high risk) free or at greatly reduced fees if we have the donations or grants available to cover the basic expenses. Because we are an all volunteer organization, our costs are minimal which allows almost all donations to be used directly to provide programs for the children. The programs are brought to the location to save expenses for the participants. Many events are done for free just so the message can be shared with the elementary aged children and their families. As with most non-profits, the lack of funds does not allow the expansion of services that is desired and does not allow the future dream of a permanent peace center where all can come to learn to be a reality. We also lack regular volunteers that can be on-call. But the full time volunteer staff are all very dedicated and willing to work out whatever problems comes up in order to provide the programs when requested.
As I've worked with these programs and shared with the children I think I have learned much more than the pariticpants. One second grade girl stated "I learned that if you work as a team, you can have fun and learn a lot, even if you don't like the people you are with." I have learned that same concept along the way too. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all grasp that concept? I think the Children's PEACE Center has the basic answers for all of us to learn to get along more and communicate better. I've really enjoyed presenting these programs since 1996. We've had the opportunity to present them in locations from Florida to Canada and have helped other groups start similar programs. I've been asked if I didn't want to do something different and I can't image doing anything else. Helping children learn to think things through and seeing them make better life choices, avoiding drugs, alchohol and damaging behaviors, has to be the greatest reward anyone receive. Building up our future leaders as kind, thoughtful and able to manage emotions and conflicts is the only way I can see that we'll have peaceful lives.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have grown tremendously in my own attitudes, behaviours and making choices. I've seen the results of the activities with each participant. I've seen Teachers and other Adults change their view of how children learn and grow and how much children can think things through. I've seen children learn to solve their own problems and begin to teach others how to do it too. When a Kindergartner learns to "Stop, Think, Peace" and uses those terms to stop their friends from fighting, you see that it works.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Have more dedicated volunteers and possibly paid staff that could set up a regular schedule of visits to schools and organizations. By being so flexible, it is difficult to get volunteers when you need them. If a regular schedule was developed, then volunteers would know when they were needed and could schedule their own calendars.
Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
How did you learn about this organization?
I assisted a group in Missouri to start a children's museum that teaches peacemaking. We moved to Georgia and wanted to do the same here. We did not have funds to build a museum, so we made the traveling children's museum to take the Field Trips to the locations. I've been working with this since 1996.
What is this organization's top short-term priority?
To obtain enough funds and volunteers to provide on site Field Trips to area schools and organizations for free or greatly reduced prices so more children can have the experience.
What is its top priority in the long run?
Eventually develop a permanent site for a children's peace museum/center where children and their families can come together to learn to share, communicate, and develop better peacemaking skills and make better life choices. A place that can provide resources to help and opportunities to learn, as well as professional help for those that have special needs in anger control, and learning to work together.
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
