Compassionate Capitalism - June 2004

The PEACE Project

Preparing for Life’s Toughest Job

by Stephanie Beck

Most tasks require a certain amount of skill or education. Whether it’s applying for a specific job, learning to drive a car, or even cooking a meal, people tend not to jump right in without some sort of direction. Most of these things come with a certain amount of instruction. There are also classes a person can take to better prepare for attempting something new. One of the few jobs without an organized training program is also one of the most important any of us can accept: raising a child. Thanks to the PEACE Project (Parent Education And Child Enrichment) parents have a greater edge in preparing for the job of being a parent.

As the group’s vice president, Cynthia Freeman explains, the mission of the PEACE Project is to provide a comprehensive approach to parenting and interactive child development for all families by providing educational opportunities and family support. The organization helps parents "learn coping skills and tools and gain knowledge to be the best parents they can be," she said.

So what does all this mean to the average family? It means parents can get a head start in child rearing, along with gaining a close-knit support group who will provide on-going education in a variety of areas that cover infants and toddlers. The organization will prepare parents for what to expect during and after pregnancy, assist with child-proofing the home, and teach CPR and first aid. That’s just the beginning. The PEACE Project goes even further to address just about every aspect of what it takes to raise a child who is healthy, safe and developing properly.

Most parents don’t have the opportunity to receive comprehensive education about what to expect once a child is in the picture. However, thanks to the PEACE Project, parents of all financial backgrounds can receive assistance in developing a firm foundation for raising children. One could say the PEACE Project serves as a real-life how-to guide for parenting.

The PEACE Project currently supervises five locations in Fallon, Lovelock, Winnemucca, Battle Mountain and Sparks, through the work of four full-time employees and three part-time employees. They travel from county to county to provide education and assistance to the parents in those areas. Some would see this as a labor of love, and Freeman would agree. In fact, she has a passion for the teen audience the organization serves.

Freeman’s course was set when she became a pregnant teen 18 years ago. Though she desires to help all parents, she takes great pride in how the PEACE Project has assisted teenage parents. "Nationwide, the percentage of teen parents who have a second child while still in their teens is 34 percent," she noted. "Generally, that second child comes around two years after the first. Only 2 percent of the teen parents we work with have a second pregnancy (in their teen years)."

Other unique features of the PEACE Project include a resource lending library, where, for a small fee, parents can check out books, toys and video or audio materials for use at home. Parents can even rent a breast pump for $1 per day. In addition, the organization houses the Tiny Tots Emergency Food Pantry, where parents can receive free baby food or diapers to tide them over until payday.

The PEACE Project understands all families are at risk when trying to raise children. Life is tough, and unfortunately children are often the victims of those tough times, whether through neglect, abuse or honest mistakes made through a lack of information. "Families need support, and that’s what the PEACE Project is here to provide," said Freeman.

The PEACE Project

Cynthia Freeman, Executive Director

P.O. Box 51870

Sparks, NV 89435

Toll free: 1-866- NVPEACE

www.nv-peace-project.com