Looking for Liaisons!

As the summer winds down and we approach a new program year at Project Peace, we are looking for men and women who are passionate about seeing social justice in our communities to serve as Project Peace Liaisons. Click here for more information and to sign up!

What, you may ask, is a Project Peace Liaison?

It's a new position that should make Project Peace function much more clearly and efficiently out in the East Bay community!

Here's the deal: under the old system, every small group serving with Project Peace had to select their own internal Project Peace Coordinator. This Coordinator was responsible for helping the group identify a social service provider or cause, coordinating all dates of service, and following up with evaluations, etc. This proved to be too much on the shoulders of one person, who may not have been very committed to the role to begin with.

The NEW system: We're looking for Project Peace Liaisons who are already passionate about getting volunteers connected to a particular East Bay service provider/ministry/cause. The Liaisons will work directly with the social service provider to calendar 6 days of service throughout the 2010-11 program year. Then, they'll communicate these dates to the small group(s -- there will likely be more than one group per service provider) who have signed up to serve. While there will still be a Project Peace Coordinator in each small group, their role will primarily be to remind their group of the next service date. The Liaison is really the link between server and served, and will be primarily responsible for communication and evaluation.

This new system is the product of a lot of learning over the short life of Project Peace. We hope that you'll be seeing some exciting new changes in our structure this year, which will enable us to streamline our operations and better serve the East Bay communities that we are so passionate about!

The Gospel of Matthew

We are delighted to welcome Justin Ashforth, Project Peace’s new Director of Development, who will help us develop an individual donor base as well as an arts outreach program! Justin is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He played the title roles in Macbeth and Henry V, and was the founder and artistic director of the Living Shakespeare Company in NYC. His film work includes In the Bedroom, Payback, and The Greatest Game Ever Played. In addition, Justin is a fully licensed financial adviser who managed high net worth clients at UBS in the flagship Beverly Hills office. Justin was raised in the Napa Valley and currently lives in Berkeley.

To inagurate Project Peace's arts outreach program, Justin will be performing his one-man interpretation of The Gospel of Matthew at Christ Church Berkeley (2138 Cedar St. in Berkeley) on Friday, June 25. There will be a reception from 7-8 PM, and the performance will start at 8 PM, followed by a Q&A. RSVP Here.

We hope to offer Justin's powerful performance to churches around the East Bay. If you are a member of such a church, or know of a church that may be interested, please email justin@projectpeaceeastbay.org.

Project Peace's 2009 Annual Report

What a year it's been! We're pleased to celebrate our 2009 fiscal year with our 2009 Annual Report.

BATTLE OF THE SALSA BANDS (DOS)!!

Things have been very busy at Project Peace lately -- lots of strategizing and action planning for next year, which has not left much time for blogging. BUT our major social event of the year is fast approaching, and it seems remiss not to at least include it here.

We're so excited for our 2nd Annual Battle of the Salsa Bands -- a party to celebrate the volunteers and community partners that work alongside Project Peace as we seek to create more sustainable East Bay communities. This year's event will be even bigger and better than last year's (which, any of you who were there will recall was a fantastic party). For starters, we're going to be treated to music from two of the East Bay's best salsa bands:

Orquesta Borinquen

Julio Bravo y su Orquesta Salsabor

And we'll be at a great new venue: Veteran's Memorial Building, 200 Grand Ave. in Oakland.

The Battle will be on Saturday, May 22 from 6:30-midnight. You can purchase or reserve tickets here.

Download Battle of the Salsa Bands flyer.

The Make Something Party

Thanks to the 70+ people who turned out last Saturday for the Day of Peace! It was a great kickoff to the school year, and so encouraging that so many people want to support our local schools.

We're thrilled to announce the next Project Peace event: The Make Something Party on December 6, 2009. 12:30-2 at the Gaia Arts Center, 3:30-5 at College Avenue Presbyterian Church.
Project Peace is partnering with Christ Church of Berkeley and Rockridge in their Advent Conspiracy, an effort to rethink the hectic consumerism that has become the hallmark of the Christmas season. In order to reclaim the meaningfulness of the Advent season, we are encouraging people to Spend Less and Give More. One way of doing this is the Make Something Party. We'll have craft tables where you can make a variety of quality gifts for your loved ones, all for the minimal cost of materials. Check out the Make Something Party Blog for more details and updates. Then come out on December 6 and channel your inner craftsperson!

Why Days of Peace Matter

Next Saturday, October 24, Project Peace is kicking off the school year with a Day of Peace. We'll have volunteers working from 9 AM - 12 PM at two local public schools: Oakland's Claremont Middle School, and Berkeley's Leconte Elementary School. If you've been to a Day of Peace over the past year, Claremont will be familiar to you; for over two years, we have been helping in various ways to improve their physical space. Leconte Elementary is a new site, and we're excited by the possibility of developing a similar long-term relationship with them.

What might come as a surprise to you, since both of these schools are located in attractive and seemingly affluent neighborhoods, is the extent of their needs. Both Leconte and Claremont are classified as "Program Improvement Schools," based on their failure to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP, a federal measure that requires schools to meet test score goals). 60% of Leconte students and 67.5% of Claremont students are classified as low-income by the state; due to the school assignment systems in Berkeley and Oakland, many of the students who attend these schools do not actually reside in the bucolic neighborhoods that surround them. The current state budget crisis has and will continue to impact these schools with severe funding cuts.

This is why it's important for us to continue to support our neighborhood schools like Leconte and Claremont. Showing up for 3 hours on a Saturday morning to weed school gardens, paint classrooms, and help set up for school fundraisers may not seem groundshaking, but it sends a message to over 700 students and their administrators that the community cares about them. It helps create school buildings and grounds that are clean and safe environments for learning. And it's the first step towards creating relationships with these schools -- relationships of respect, trust, and mutual problem-solving that will grow over time to include additional types of service.

So, please come to the Day of Peace on Saturday, October 24. And please RSVP here.

Some Good Reading Material

I'm technically still out on maternity leave until October, but that's given me a chance to catch up on some reading! A couple of recent reads seem fitting to recommend to Project Peace-minded folks, since they align quite well with PP's emphasis on justice:

The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God's Call to Justice by Mark Labberton (Pastor of First Pres of Berkeley).

Just Courage by Gary Haugen (founder of International Justice Mission).

Both are challenging exhortations to break out of the comfortable rut that the church often finds itself in (what Haugen calls a "cul-de-sac") and wake up to the call to seek justice for the oppressed in our own communities and around the world.

University Village Day of Peace

Thanks to all 29 of our great volunteers who came out to help put on the "Whatever you speak, you are welcome" UC Village International Festival and Potluck. Budget cuts were forcing the Village staff to cancel the annual welcome back event for resident Berkeley students and their families. But Project Peace came to the rescue to make the first ever International Potluck and Festival possible. Volunteers helped to set up and run game and art booths for younger kids, coordinate the international potluck for families, facilitate dodge-ball for older kids, and even administer the launch of a book exchange program. For many residents who are often mired in their studies, or who are new to Berkeley or even the U.S., this gathering of neighbors was a great event to meet new people and reduce the sense of isolation that student families can often feel, thereby fulfilling Project Peace's goal to "cultivate better communities." Even though twice as many people turned out to help as we had hoped for, we could have used more hands - so we hope to see you in future years as we continue to partner with the UC Village.

Upcoming Day of Peace - August 29

Join us for our next Day of Peace:
Saturday, August 29
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
University Village Berkeley
RSVP now for Day of Peace

Day of Peace Details
We will be working with Berkeley’s University Village (a partner for one of our monthly service groups) to help put on the “No Matter What you Speak, You are Welcome” International Fall Festival and Potluck. Project Peace volunteers will be helping Resident Advisors set up and break down, man game booths, display a children’s art presentation, and coordinate an international potluck. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes!
NOTE: There will be no childcare provided for this event. However, mobile, supervised children are welcome to participate at both sites.

What is a Day of Peace?
A Day of Peace is a coordinated effort by Project Peace East Bay and local churches and faith-based groups in which volunteers serve with East Bay agencies and organizations in order to meet needs in the East Bay Community. Days of Peace are not overtly Christian projects (there is no teaching or prayer), and the agencies and organizations served are not faith-based non-profits.

What does a Day of Peace look like?
A Day of Peace usually involves community “sweat equity.” Landscaping, construction, painting, organizing, cleaning up a watershed—all of these activities and more comprise a Day of Peace. See photos on our Flickr collection.

About International Day of Peace, September 21

The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.

Background and Purpose - International Day of Peace

Project Peace Film Fest: Out of the Ashes

Out of the Ashes
Out of the Ashes is a film festival featuring films by Bay Area female filmmakers. The four films share the theme of women overcoming various obstacles and adversities.

Featured FilmsStep Into You by Dorian Davis
Moms Living Clean by Sheila Ganz (Work In Progress)
Exposing Homelessness by Kerri Gawryn
*La Corona by Amanda Micheli & Isabel Vega
*Academy Award® Nominated Documentary Short
Friday, July 31, 2009
Doors open at 7 pm
Films and panel discussion 7:30-10:30pm

Tickets
$10 (includes one drink and snacks)
All proceeds benefit Oakland Elizabeth House and Project Peace East Bay
Project Peace East Bay is privileged to partner with Oakland Elizabeth House in cultivating better communities.

http://www.outoftheashes.eventbrite.com/

June Day of Peace Photos are Up

IMG_5055, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

Check out the photos from the June Day of Peace at Berkeley Aquatic Park.

View the Photos here

Free BBQ

DSC_9228, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

Christ Church partnered with Urban Church to help with a Free Easter BBQ for the Oakland community.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/projectpeace/sets/72157617713268262/

Battle of the Salsa Bands

Party like it’s Cinco de Mayo — on Dos de Mayo! Project Peace East Bay invites you to a fundraiser to help us continue cultivating better East Bay communities. Come enjoy salsa music provided by Josh Jones & His Latin Jazz Orchestra. Free salsa dance lessons will be offered, beginning at 7:15 PM. $20 entry entitles you to one free drink, plus all the food, music & dancing you can handle. Additional donations are welcomed along with your ticket purchase as well as at the event. For more information, email contact@ProjectPeaceEastBay.org.

http://dosdemayo.eventbrite.com/

Chili anyone?

DSC_8904, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

Check out the photos from the chili lunch that Project Peace served up at Urban Church.

View photos here

February Day of Peace Photos are on Flickr

DSC_2635.JPG, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

Photos are up from the February Day of Peace at Claremont Middle School.

View the Flickr page here

College Avenue Friday Night Meal

090227_173143_1, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

Project Peace small groups serve throughout the community. One team from Christ Church of Rockridge serves once a month at College Avenue Friday Night Meal in Rockridge. Christ Church's team cooks a hearty and healthy meal and enjoys connecting with the community.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/projectpeace/sets/72157614854823144/

October 2008 Day of Peace Photos

Painting the Gym Wall, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

The Day of Peace is a coordinated effort in which members of the community serve the needs of a social service provider. On October 25, 2008, 50 volunteers helped with painting and gardening projects at Claremont Middle School in Oakland.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/projectpeace/sets/72157608524803385/

September 2007 Day of Peace

Heavy Load, originally uploaded by Project Peace.

Day of Peace is a coordinated effort that mobilize volunteers to serve and meet the needs in our East Bay Community.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/projectpeace/sets/72157607558231580/