About Us
Upcoming Events
Run for Peace
September 11th, 2010
beginning at 9am (sign in at 7:30)
The Peace Project is designed to address the issue of violence in our communities, particularly among youth
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We reach our objectives by engaging young people in a series of projects...
We are young people dedicated to our communities & our futures
The Peace Project is an initiative based movement designed to engage young people to create positive change in their lives, their communities their world!
Creating peace, piece by piece. The Project is a series of projects, programs and initiatives that positively impact lives and communities. From programs that promote civic engagement, community service, health and fitness to art and literature, The Project makes a difference in the lives of young people and in their communities.
The Peace Projects objective is to continually cause positive action, to positively influence lives and positively impact the world we all live in peace by piece by piece.
How Can I Get Involved?
•Join us
•Set a good example continuously and consistently
•Continually promote peace in the community
•Provide resources & support-write a check, donate supplies
Projects
Gordon Park is the location where the incident occurred that led to the 1967 Detroit Civil Disturbance most commonly known as the Detroit Riot. The small neighborhood park had existed for years before the infamous incident that would so damage and divide Detroit. Initially Gordon Park was just north of the establishment that housed the afterhours bar that was raided on that fateful night in the summer of 1967. Sometime after 1967 the commercial property that once stood on the corner of Clairmount and 12th Street (now Rosa Parks Blvd) was raised and the park was expanded. As economic conditions in Detroit declined and the city faced more difficult times the park fell into a state of neglect and disrepair. In the spring of 2009 The Peace Project was given an opportunity to adopt Gordon Park. Members jumped at the chance to turn this location into something meaningful. Working with noted artist Chazz Miller and Public Art Workz, The Peace Project began transforming the park into a place that represents rebirth and hope. Over the spring, summer and fall of 2009 The Peace Project members cleared hundreds of bags of trash and debris from the park. During the 3rd Annual ARISE Detroits Neighborhoods Day the Peace Project teamed up with concerned citizens from throughout the community to trim trees, prune bushes, clean up and begin painting a beautiful butterfly mural on the wooden wall at the park. Later in the summer young Hispanic artists from Southwest Detroit presented the Peace Project with the gift of a work of graffiti art on the northern side of the wooden wall. The Peace Project has hosted events at the park since adopting it in the spring of 2009. From a Mayoral press conference to poetry readings and a family fun day, Gordon Park is being transformed into a wonderful place in the community for positive activity. The dark legacy of this area is a thing of the past, the members of The Peace Project work continually to insure this location serves as a testament to the spirit of Detroit and its three hundred year old motto which means more today than ever Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus "We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes.
The Urban Requiem is a remarkable concert event being planned for the late winter or early spring of 2011. This modern symphony is a concert that will incorporate orchestral, electronic music, choral and spoken word performances. There will also be a powerful narrative and video component that will detail the one hundred year history of the birth, life and death of an industrial Mecca. The voices of our elders component of this powerful saga will provide an oral history of the past of the once mighty industrial community that moved the world. All elements of the Urban Requiem are created, developed, produced and performed by young people from throughout the region and beyond. Current plans call for the Requiem to be performed at the historic Music Hall in downtown Detroit. This promises to be a remarkable concert event that can be enjoyed and appreciated by young and old alike.
In the summer of 2010 The Peace Project in cooperation with YouthVille Detroit, WSU PD and the Detroit Police Department developed a distance run training program for youth from the metropolitan community. A vigorous training program involving daily physical fitness training was implemented to prepare youth to participate in the 5K Run for Peace to be held on September 11th.
Three days a week participating youth ran predetermined routes that helped them increase their stamina and endurance in preparation for the 5K run. Two days a week they participated in a vigorous strength conditioning program designed to strengthen their muscles and increase flexibility. Each day the youth spent an hour preparing healthy lunches under the direction of nutritionist Bekah Jackson who helped them to understand the importance of proper diet and nutrition. The entire program revolved around the Run for Peace 5K run event. The Run for Peace is being planned as an annual event designed to promote health and fitness while also promoting peace between people of all cultures. After the run event a fun/health/peace fair will be held at YouthVille Detroit, at this event participants will be able to indulge in an offering of healthy foods including grilled shish-kabob, corn on the cob, fresh fruits, fruit smoothies and healthy pizzas among other delectable delights. Entertainment will be provided along with awards ceremonies and other fun activities. Project Run The Run for Peace promotes peace, health and fitness for all.
The Street Poets Society aka Society X is a group of talented young poets and orators that work continually at perfecting their skill as writers, poets and public speakers. Members of this group meet regularly to work on their craft. The standard of excellence requires members to continually work to improve as literary artists. Currently The Street Poets Society is working on development of materials for its first book titled Word "Voices of the Unheard". SPS members regularly perform at various venues throughout the metropolitan area and plan to perform in cities throughout the nation and beyond in the future. It is noted that all members are expected to participate in community service projects, civic engagement programs and other positive activities that benefit the community.
The Critter Cartel is an initiative designed to promote pet responsibility and to discourage animal cruelty, neglect and abuse. This project is specifically targeting younger children in elementary and pre-school for now but future plans are quite ambitious. Currently the project is working on hosting its first Critter Fair to be held at Gordon Park, this fair is being designed to promote responsible animal adoption, proper care of pets and to educate on the importance of pets and animals in any healthy community. Their slogan say hello to our little friends sums up the premise for this dynamic group of young people. They are concerned about the health and well being of animals, they are committed to doing all they can to promote responsible pet and animal care.
Project Players is a new program that engages young people in games of strategy, currently they are focused on developing a chess team. Under the direction of Mr. Bill Watkins, young people meet weekly to engage in the game of Kings and Queens.
Project Dance is a dance troupe currently in development, under the direction of Belinda Anderson members of Project Dance are developing plans to launch the World Peace Party in the fall of 2010 stay tuned for further developments on this exciting initiative.
Project Mélodie is a treble based youth choir that engages youth ages eight through eleven years old. In cooperation with The Detroit Childrens Choir under the direction of Carol Schoch young people in this program learn how to use their vocal abilities. The choir performs at various events throughout the metropolitan community and will be an instrumental part of the Urban Requiem.
Run for Peace~ 9.11.2010
Where: Wayne State University Campus
Distance: 5 Kilometers (3.2 miles) Walk or Run
Sign in time: 7:30am
Race start time: 9am
Sign-in will begin at 7:30 am on Saturday, September 11th. Sign-in for registrants will be held outside of the Wayne State University Matthaei Athletic Complex (located at 5101 John C. Lodge Service Drive, just north of West Warren Avenue). The run/walk will begin promptly at 9:00 am. Free parking is available for run/walk participants at Wayne State University Parking Lot # 50 (located on West Warren Avenue just west of the John C. Lodge Service Drive).
A free community fun/health/peace fair will be held immediately following the 5K walk/run for peace. The fair will be held at YouthVille Detroit, 7375 Woodward Avenue The building entrance is on Lothrop Avenue (one block north of West Grand Boulevard). Healthy, nutritious, delicious food items will be available kids of all ages are encouraged to come and participate in a variety of games and fun fitness activities. Awards for top run/walk finishers and Project Run participants will be presented during a special recognition ceremony at the fair.
The culmination of the days events will be the Old School New School Basketball tournament. A team of adults will take on a team of youth in a spirited game of basketball in the YouthVille Gymnasium come on out and cheer your generation on!
Those interested in playing in the basketball tournament should contact Al Taylor (313) 618-9336
The Critter Fair~ 9.25.2010
Location: Gordon Park
details to come
Urban Requieum~ winter.2010
