Programs and Services
In
addition to the programs and services listed here, please check the
Upcoming Events on our Home Page for many
other activities.
Programs
Circles/Bridges Out of Poverty
Poverty is more than a lack of money;
it is a lack of resources in several areas, including emotional,
mental, spiritual, physical, support systems, relationships and role
models, and knowledge of the hidden rules of the community. Peace
Connections is working to coordinate information to bridge gaps in awareness between people of different socioeconomic
circumstances. Developed by Dr. Ruby K. Payne, Bridges Out of Poverty
provides information, case studies, exercises and discussion topics.
While most people do not consider themselves "rich"or "poor,"
there are distinct behavioral differences and that those behaviors are
logical and necessary for survival. By understanding the drive to
survive, seemingly irrational behaviors can be addressed. Cycles of
poverty can be broken when barriers to learrning are identified. For
more information about Bridges (available at Peace
Connections), see www.ahaprocess.com.
Recently Bridges out ov Poverty has begun a partnership with a
high-impact strategy called the Circles Initiative. Plans
are in the works to initiate this
program
in the community. See www.movethemountain.org
for more information regarding Circles. The community Circles/Bridges
Out of Poverty group meets monthly at Peace Connections - please call for dates/times. Open to
all. Peace Connections also coordinates community Getting
Ahead
classes, designed for those in poverty who want to improve their
situation.
Kids Summer Food Program
This was the third year for the community program
that serves free breakfasts and lunches to all Newton children ages
2-18 during the summer. Due
to our Bridges Out of Poverty initiative, questions
arose regarding the high percentage (47%) of children in Newton
schools receiving free and reduced lunches. What happens for
these children and families during the summer months? Peace
Connections, working with a variety of commmunity agencies and
individuals, including USD 373, USDA, Harvey County Health Dept., SRS,
Mid-Cap,and more, coordinates the program. The
program has grown and now includes an activity
program, busing, and several
paid staff positions. Over 11,000 meals were served in 2008!
We are grateful to our many volunteers and donors that
helped this program happen. For information on the 2009
program please contact us!
Asset Building Coalition
The concept of "developmental assets"
grew out of research conducted by Search Institute (Minneapolis, MN) on
youth across the United States. Search Institute identified 40 assets
that young people need to grow up healthy, principled and caring. The
assets powerfully protect them from a wide range of risky behaviors,
including premature sexual activity, anti-social behavior, violence,
and alcohol and other drug use. Developmental assets are divided into
two broad categories: external and internal.
- External assets come from
families, other people and institutions to give children the support,
empowerment, boundaries and expectations, and constructive use of time
they need to thrive.
- Internal assets are commitments,
attitudes, values and skills that support our youth from within.
Peace Connections helped form and continues to
participate in the Tri-County (Harvey, Reno, Macpherson) Asset Building
Coalition, in order to educate others about Asset Development and to
promote the developmental framework in local communities.
For information and materials on building developmental
assets, contact Peace Connections.
The Giving Garden
Peace Connections, partnering with
Harvey County Horticulture Agent Scott Eckert, Master Gardeners, and
the City of Newton, have created a community garden at 6th and Pine
Sts. The garden is affiliated with the U.S.-wide organization Plant
A Row For The Hungry. All produce from the Newton Giving
Garden is donated to those who do not have access to fresh produce.
Heartland Peace Tax Fund Group
The Heartland Peace Tax Fund Group is
a central Kansas connection for two U.S.-wide movements that assert the
right not to participate in war, either financially or physically:
The
National War Tax Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC) and its adherents act
on ethical convictions against war-making without waiting for
governments to provide alternative options. Resisters believe that
their redirection of taxes breaks the unanimity for war. For more
information, see www.nwtrcc.org
Services
 The
Breathing Room
Anyone is welcome to sit quietly in
the tranquil atmosphere of our Breathing Room. It's a great place for a
break in a harried day.
Card Making Station
Make invitations, sympathy cards,
thank you notes, place cards, bookmarks--almost anything you can dream
up--using our varied collection of stamps, papers, and inks. A donation
of 50 cents per card is requested.
Kitchen
and Community Room
When not being used for Peace
Connections events, our kitchen and community room may be reserved for
groups up to 50 people. Call 316-284-0000 for more information. Peace Connections has a bakery license allowing us to
sell baked goods.
Classes
Available
Peace Connections offers a variety of
classes that can be scheduled for your convenience.
At Peace
Connections, Learn Ways to Practice Peace in Daily Life
Classes
listed below can be scheduled
for your convenience, subject to availability of the teacher.
-
For a group, simply call
or
email Peace Connections with your request.
-
To indicate your
individual
interest, let us know which times are most convenient for you. If
enough people are interested, we will call you to schedule the
class. (Minimum: five people.)
Cost: A
donation of
$3-5/person is suggested. A separate materials fee may also
be charged.
Creating
More Peace In Your Life
Learn about Peace Connections and explore ways to practice peace daily.
Age-appropriate activities are included.
Recommended Ages: Preschool through adult
Class Length: 30-90 minutes, depending on the age group
Class Size: Up to 40 people
Creating
Prayer Beads
Make prayer beads from clay and other materials, then decorate and
arrange them to inspire your personal spiritual practice.
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Class Length: Two 2-hour sessions
Class Size: Up to 10 people
Using Your
Breath For Stress Relief
Learn simple breathing techniques to release stress and renew your
energy. Class includes gentle neck and shoulder stretches; wear
comfortable clothes.
Recommended Ages: 10 and up. (A special class for younger children can
also be designed.)
Class Length: 1 hour
Class Size: Up to 20 people
Living
Consciously With Your Stuff
Do you have low energy? Can't get things done you want to do? It might
not be you—it could be your material goods (or the goods of
someone you live with)! This class offers tips on how to identify and
tackle your Stuff issues. Getting rid of it isn't always the answer.
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Class Length: 1 1/2 hours
Class Size: Up to 40 people
Journaling
Workshop
Journaling is one of the best ways to stay in touch with what is going
on at the present moment. Through short exercises, learn to break
through writing blocks and uncover wisdom and self-knowledge that you
may not have accessed before.
Recommended Ages: 14 and up. (Special classes can be designed for
different age groups.)
Class Length: Four 1-hour sessions
Class Size: Up to 10 people
Painting
From Within
In a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, one can become aware of feelings,
dreams, images, negative or positive, which can be expressed in
painting rather than being acted out without consideration.
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: Up to 10 people
Foot Fun
Learn how to use foot massage to enhance feelings of connection and
health. During the class, participants will create their own pair of
"reflexology socks” that show pressure points that affect
different parts of the body. (Bring a pair of white socks to color.)
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Class Length: 1 1/2 hours
Class Size: Up to 20 people
Bread Baking
Some call it "cheap therapy"; we believe bread baking offers the sight,
smell, touch and taste of peace (maybe even the sound, when the timer
dings!) Learn the basics or learn how to create your own recipes.
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Class Length: 1 1/2 hours
Class Size: Up to 15 people
Why You
Should Never Say Diet
Learn to identify and overcome obstacles to healthy eating.
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Class Length: 1 hour
Class Size: Up to 40 people
Why Go
Organic?
Organic foods don't have to be expensive luxuries. Learn about the
differences between organic and non-organic foods and choose what's
right for you.
Recommended Ages: 10 and up
Class Length: 1 hour
Class Size: Up to 40 people
Beyond the
Big Mac: Tasty, Healthful Meals From Ordinary
Ingredients
Learn how to create quick, tasty home-cooked meals from ingredients
brought in by class participants.
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: Up to 15 people
Microwave
Mastery
Microwave cooking is healthy, time-saving and energy-efficient. Learn
to adapt recipes designed for conventional ovens. Go beyond popcorn,
frozen meals and melting butter.
Recommended Ages: 7 and up. (Special classes can be designed for
different age groups.)
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: Up to 15 people
Herbal Soap
Crafting
Learn to make soaps that are tailored to suit your own health and
beauty concerns.
Recommended Ages: 12 and up
Class Length: 2 hours
Class Size: Up to 15 people
Decorative
Papers with Stamps
Make gift tags, place cards, book marks and greeting cards with papers,
inks and stamps (provided, or include your own).
Recommended Ages: 8 and up. (Special classes can be designed for
different age groups.)
Class Length: 1 1/2 hours
Class Size: Up to 15 people
Videos
to View
The following videotapes are
available for viewing at Peace Connections, rental, or purchase:
How Do I Go On? -- Redesigning Your
Future After Crisis Has Changed Your Life. Learn a
five-stage process: feel, explore options, let go, embrace, then live
as fully as possible with the resources available. 21 min.
The Grit and Grace of Being a
Caregiver. Drawn from Jim Miller's experiences as his
wife recovered from cancer. Uses nature photography to illustrate seven
paradoxical principles of healthy caregiving, like " To be close you
must establish boundaries." Can be shown as a whole or in sections. 36
min.
The Art of Listening in a Healing Way.
Describes what healing listening is and how it differs from other kinds
of listening. Can be shown as a whole or in sections. 37 min.
The Natural Way of Prayer -- Being
Free to Express What You Feel Deep Within. Twelve brief,
practical directions about how to pray, each a meditation within
itself. For beginners as well as those who want to deepen their
practice. For people of all faiths. 30 min.
To purchase a video, the cost is $39.95 for
individual use, or $59.95 if the videotape will be shown to groups.
(This is the policy of the producer.)
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