PCH - 1-pager - FINAL
locally of both itself and the Peace Corps community among federal policy makers.
Peace Corps House services could include: health care clinics, literacy education, youth after-school programs, workforce development, daycare, cultural programs, and, for those who are homeless, amenities - like showers and toilets – and a job assistance center.
AN I NTR ODUC TI ON & CALL-TO-ACTI ON I N I T I AL C ON C E PT
The idea of a Peace Corps House in Washington, DC grew out of the life experiences of several Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who spent part of their careers working and living in Washington, DC. Specifically, these RPCVs were attracted to the important civic contributions of the Settlement House Movement, which began during the Progressive Era of the 1880s – a period of widespread urbanization and social reform. Often called community or neighborhood centers, settlement houses are guided by a distinctive model of neighborhood-based work that provides essential social services while recognizing the value of building communities and promoting social justice. In this spirit, the Peace Corps House would address the needs and aspirations of the local community with a broad array of comprehensive services and programs aimed to improve the lives of community members. Peace Corps House, while operating as a 501(c)(3) and independent from Peace Corps, would raise the profile
C O MMU N I T Y I N T E G R A T I O N
Integration in the community is the goal of Peace Corps House. The center must be folded into the very fabric of the community, with those being served taking leading roles in the decision-making processes, programs, and activities. While working with an experienced settlement house director, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will provide daily support, expertise, and empowerment – thus adding to the sense of community ownership essential to the success of Peace Corps House. “Settlement houses, like Peace Corps House, incorporate a history and value system of social justice and community development. While they provide programs and services, those are means to an end. Good community-based centers of all types may do this as well, but connecting to the history of social justice is an important part of our mission. Most importantly we work ‘with’ not ‘for’ our neighbors — building leadership skills in all our program participants is a highly valued practice.” Irma Rodriguez, Executive Director, International Federation of Settlement Houses and Community Centers
FI R S T S TEP – AND THI S I S WHER E Y O U C O ME I N
Typically 75-80% of the funding in America’s 400-plus settlement houses – or community centers – comes from existing local, state, and federal social service programs. Government grants, however, rarely cover the full cost of programs. Like many non-profits, Peace Corps House would require funding from a number of government, foundation, and private sources.
P e a c e C or p s H ou s e
Website: http://peacecorpshouse.org/ | Email: [email protected]
Before doing this, we believe the best path forward begins with a professional “street savvy” feasibility study, which would take into account community needs, factor in other organizations already working in the community, and take a close look at both the challenges we would face and the opportunities lying ahead for sustainable community growth. For this first and important step, we need to raise $7,500 for the feasibility study – which would then be taken to the community and the results used to justify our requests for funding going forward.
O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R R P C V s
Peace Corps House will be established and partially managed and staffed by RPCVs, who will bring with them not only the experience of having worked in the fields of education, agriculture, community economic development, health, etc. but also who have the ability and compassion to work within an underserved community to foster the common good. Under the umbrella of Peace Corps House, RPCVs may be called on as volunteers – once again – to work with local schools, a Homework Club, facilitate fitness activities like Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move, initiate community gardens, support fundraising efforts, participate in community development efforts, or help tackle employment challenges. Eventually, we’d love to start a Peace Corps Café – a full-service bistro providing a space for events and free expression, learning and development, debate, and reflection.
Peace Corps House will start small, find its footing, and then grow.
P L E A S E C ON S I D E R S UP P OR T I N G
PEACE COR PS H OUS E
P e a c e C or p s H ou s e Website: http://peacecorpshouse.org/ | Email: [email protected]
Peace Corps House services could include: health care clinics, literacy education, youth after-school programs, workforce development, daycare, cultural programs, and, for those who are homeless, amenities - like showers and toilets – and a job assistance center.
AN I NTR ODUC TI ON & CALL-TO-ACTI ON I N I T I AL C ON C E PT
The idea of a Peace Corps House in Washington, DC grew out of the life experiences of several Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who spent part of their careers working and living in Washington, DC. Specifically, these RPCVs were attracted to the important civic contributions of the Settlement House Movement, which began during the Progressive Era of the 1880s – a period of widespread urbanization and social reform. Often called community or neighborhood centers, settlement houses are guided by a distinctive model of neighborhood-based work that provides essential social services while recognizing the value of building communities and promoting social justice. In this spirit, the Peace Corps House would address the needs and aspirations of the local community with a broad array of comprehensive services and programs aimed to improve the lives of community members. Peace Corps House, while operating as a 501(c)(3) and independent from Peace Corps, would raise the profile
C O MMU N I T Y I N T E G R A T I O N
Integration in the community is the goal of Peace Corps House. The center must be folded into the very fabric of the community, with those being served taking leading roles in the decision-making processes, programs, and activities. While working with an experienced settlement house director, Returned Peace Corps Volunteers will provide daily support, expertise, and empowerment – thus adding to the sense of community ownership essential to the success of Peace Corps House. “Settlement houses, like Peace Corps House, incorporate a history and value system of social justice and community development. While they provide programs and services, those are means to an end. Good community-based centers of all types may do this as well, but connecting to the history of social justice is an important part of our mission. Most importantly we work ‘with’ not ‘for’ our neighbors — building leadership skills in all our program participants is a highly valued practice.” Irma Rodriguez, Executive Director, International Federation of Settlement Houses and Community Centers
FI R S T S TEP – AND THI S I S WHER E Y O U C O ME I N
Typically 75-80% of the funding in America’s 400-plus settlement houses – or community centers – comes from existing local, state, and federal social service programs. Government grants, however, rarely cover the full cost of programs. Like many non-profits, Peace Corps House would require funding from a number of government, foundation, and private sources.
P e a c e C or p s H ou s e
Website: http://peacecorpshouse.org/ | Email: [email protected]
Before doing this, we believe the best path forward begins with a professional “street savvy” feasibility study, which would take into account community needs, factor in other organizations already working in the community, and take a close look at both the challenges we would face and the opportunities lying ahead for sustainable community growth. For this first and important step, we need to raise $7,500 for the feasibility study – which would then be taken to the community and the results used to justify our requests for funding going forward.
O P P O R T U N I T I E S F O R R P C V s
Peace Corps House will be established and partially managed and staffed by RPCVs, who will bring with them not only the experience of having worked in the fields of education, agriculture, community economic development, health, etc. but also who have the ability and compassion to work within an underserved community to foster the common good. Under the umbrella of Peace Corps House, RPCVs may be called on as volunteers – once again – to work with local schools, a Homework Club, facilitate fitness activities like Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move, initiate community gardens, support fundraising efforts, participate in community development efforts, or help tackle employment challenges. Eventually, we’d love to start a Peace Corps Café – a full-service bistro providing a space for events and free expression, learning and development, debate, and reflection.
Peace Corps House will start small, find its footing, and then grow.
P L E A S E C ON S I D E R S UP P OR T I N G
PEACE COR PS H OUS E
P e a c e C or p s H ou s e Website: http://peacecorpshouse.org/ | Email: [email protected]
