Promote peace, justice, inclusion, and civil rights support for all

Houston Peace and Justice Center creates a summer day camp experience for children ages 5-12, and opportunities for teen junior counselors ages 13-18 to achieve volunteer hours. Using creative activities in arts and crafts, environmental education in gardening, physical activities with noncompetitive games, yoga, meditation, and music, children learn to deal with anger issues, bullies, and conflict resolution techniques. Interactive speakers teach about past and present day peace makers and leaders from around the world. Many of our children come from economically disadvantaged situations and the grant money will be used to provide scholarships to children who could not otherwise afford a summer camp learning experience.

The cost of Peace Camp Houston averages $3,000 per week. This grant would fully fund one week of Peace Camp Houston at the Houston Area Women’s Shelter for children living there, and 2/3 of a week at SHAPE Community Center, where few of the children attending have the ability to pay any portion of the camp fee.

Educating our children in the ways of peace, justice, and nonviolence brings hope to all that our future can be a more civil and peaceful world. Helping them learn how to be empathetic to others, understand how to channel their own anger productively, and use creativity and logic gives them a head start in being more successful adults and making the world a better place.