2024 Project Peace Recap

For five intensive days 18 amazing youth paid interns worked in 90 degree - heat to beautify our community and to learn valuable life skills thanks to the tireless work of the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace and our community partners at Sleeping Octopus and Hosanna House. The interns, who were ages 14 – 20, worked in one of five teams led by a professional in that field.

The Gardening and Cooking Team led by Master Gardener (and councilwoman) Nicole Santella cleared community gardens and learned to cook from the herbs they harvested to provide lunch on two days and a delicious feast at the closing celebration.

The Carpentry Team led by master carpenter Bill Noble learned how to drywall and build shelving.

The Media Team led by Pastor Janet Hellner-Burris, who is a writer and photographer, interviewed residents and leaders of the community, like our awesome Francine Butts, Clifton MacGill and Ruth Kittner, the director of Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, along with the police department. In addition, they learned about the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue by visiting the site and interviewing Rabbi Doris Dyen who was present that day.

The Art Team led by professional artists John Shook and Phillip Seth created three large murals for Hope, Peace and Love which are on display in the borough parking lot next to the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg so that youth getting on and off the school buses can be inspired by those simple, yet powerful words.

The heroes of Project Peace worked under the brutal heat of the sun to clear out gardens and sidewalks in the Landscaping Team under the direction of Master Landscaper Lamon’tai Ross.

In addition, every youth participated in an Emergency Medical Training and an Art Wellness workshop.

The week ended with a fabulous celebration with a packed house full of families, community leaders, the youth interns and the professional and volunteer team leaders. Thank you to Ethnan Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church for hosting the workdays, Sleeping Octopus for hosting two of our lunches and our artists and budding cooks, and the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg for hosting the closing celebration. At our closing celebration, one parent told us “You didn’t know my daughter before Project Peace, but this week has changed her life.” One of the team leaders shared, “Project Peace changed my world!” Several of the youth tearfully asked, “Why can’t Project Peace last all summer?” Clearly Project Peace made a difference not only in the lives of the youth, but also for their team leaders and hundreds in our community.

Funding for the stipends for our awesome youth, team leaders, supplies and food were provided by grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, the National Benevolent Association (Disciples of Christ), the Lois Jean Adam bequest, and 15 community Peace Partners: An Nur Mosque, Christian Church of Wilkinsburg, Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, Deliverance Baptist Church, Ethnan Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church, El BethEl Temple, James Floral and Gift Shoppe, Hosanna House, Mifflin Avenue United Methodist Church, Second United Presbyterian Church, Sleeping Octopus, Waverly Presbyterian Church, WCDC Strong Neighborhoods, Wilkinsburg Regent Square Rotary Club and the Wilkinsburg Sun.

Thank you to all who gave of their time and financial contributions! Most of all thank you, young people, for making a difference in our community!