A Prelude to P.E.A.C.E.
P.E.A.C.E. stands for: Partnership in Economic Alliance for Community Empowerment. P.E.A.C.E is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to lift the quality of life for children, adults, and seniors in Ypsilanti, Michigan – particularly residents in the West Willow community. P.E.A.C.E. exists to provide charitable services through education, empowerment, and economics.
Years before the existence of P.E.A.C.E., the Willow Run bomber plant was in Ypsilanti Township directly across from West Willow where P.E.A.C.E.’s soon-to-be-built community center will be constructed. The plant was developed by Henry Ford during World War II to build the B-24 Liberator military aircraft. Through Ford’s mass production principles and dedicated effort, the plant produced nearly half of all B-24s for the war, helping to secure victory for the Allies and bring peace to the world. In a reminiscent way, P.E.A.C.E. now seeks to bring holistic “peace” back to Willow Run by combining principle, community value, and effort together.
The History of The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative
Witnessing the existing systemic issues of the community, Reverend Joe Nathaniel Crout was inspired to establish The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative on January 26, 2003, to support the quality of life for residents of the West Willow community of Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. He was particularly concerned to help the community’s children and seniors have a safe space for indoor recreation, education, and birthing future community empowerment.
As the need for a community center continued, years later in 2014, the Michigan Engaging Community through the Classroom Initiative (MECC), as well as the University of Michigan’s A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, partnered to help New West Willow Neighborhood Association (NWWNA) address its community’s needs as well as how to improve the quality of life for its residents. Results from their work demonstrated an urgent need for a community center in the West Willow neighborhood of Ypsilanti Township. The entities chronicled their insights and findings into a report called, “From Needs to Opportunities: Strategies for the West Willow Neighborhood”.
The findings of the report validated the work of The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative and the need for its community center to promote positive change. Today, The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative offers greater collaboration with sponsors and partners to make the community center become a reality. We invite you to join The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative in this effort!
Hear From P.E.A.C.E. Co-Founders
Our founders are inspired to create a world in which every individual can reach their greatest potential. They established The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative to be as a vessel of positive change and light for those in West Willow community of Ypsilanti, Michigan and beyond.
“We want to continue ministry through outreach, and that’s how the community center came into being. We want to answer a need within our community – education, recreation, and to give children access and a foundation to build upon.”
"The community center is going to be an advancement of that grand idea. It’s going to allow so many services, so many programs, and so many opportunities to be offered to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to these things.”
Board of Directors
Reverend Joe Crout
Co-Founder and Board President
Reverend David Crout
Co-Founder and Board Vice President
Leon Brown
Trustee and Treasurer
Helena Prince
Board Member
Donald W. Strom
Board Member
Carrie Elaine Tingle
Board Member
Follow Our Progress
Meet The Leadership Team Behind P.E.A.C.E.
Our team is dedicated to making a difference in the greater community of Ypsilanti! Through their shared experiences of creating change and working to positively impact the lives of its residents, they...
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P.E.A.C.E. Launches Fundraiser For Community Center In Historic Willow Run
The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative team plans to kick-off a fundraiser with a rally for their community center in the spring of 2023! The team is excited to share that the rally will be...
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