About Us
Building community among kids and families in Kalamazoo's Eastside neighborhood
Our Story
Peace House was formed in 2006 when two families, the Mechtenberg-Berrigans and the DeWaeles, came together with a vision to create a space for kids to safely play in Kalamazoo's Eastside neighborhood, which at the time was under-resourced for after-school and summer programs. The two households joined their properties and, with the help of many people, began the work of clearing and transforming the backyard into a kid-friendly, fun space to hang out and play.
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After extensive work on the property Peace House opened in 2009. During the school year a "Help with Homework" program was the focus, which involved one-on-one tutoring assistance in addition to outdoor play time. In the summer a camp-like program offered kids opportunities to run and play, do crafts, take field trips, read and do math for prizes, and play in the water to stay cool in the summer heat.
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The focus of Peace House has always been to build community with kids and families in the Eastside neighborhood. Many volunteers and neighbors have joined this effort over the years and have become beloved members of this community. This work has truly been a community effort and a celebration of relationship, friendship and peace.
Peace House recognizes that racism and other forms of bias that lead to oppression go beyond conscious or open hostility towards individuals and communities because of their culture, color, nationality, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender and ability. Racism and other forms of discrimination can be subtle and unconscious. To truly tackle inequity we need to understand the role we all play.
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Anti-racism and anti-bias work is an active and conscious effort to challenge all aspects of overt and systemic racism and bias.
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Peace house sees the inherent dignity and equal worth of each person. We seek to actively challenge the systems, mindsets, policies and practices that violate the worth of each person.
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