Peace Connections News

    It’s amazing how we can look at Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and see how it applies to other people but not ourselves. How many times have you heard a story, and said that would never happen to me? Maslow’s Hierarchy applies to everyone, in every culture, in every financial group. It may just be easier to look at someone else and see what they are struggling with and know what their next step should be. Maslow discovered that all humans have five basic motivational needs, pictured on this pyramid starting at the bottom and building upward. This means starting with basic survival requirements such as food, water and shelter. For some members of our community, it is all they can do to ensure that these needs are met, as it takes all their mental resources to find something to eat, to find a place to use the restroom or a place to lay their head at night.  Borrowed from Adam Kirk Smith https://asmithblog.com/ maslows-hierarchy-needs/ If these needs go unmet, it can b...

    As the weather continues to warm, we are noticing increased vegetation outside, both in backyard gardens and in the county parks! Through ongoing discussion with friends and neighbors facing food insecurity, we have come to appreciate the abundance of resources available to us, both traditional and somewhat less so. Peace Connections has begun collaborating with Falling Fruit to identify edible plants in Harvey County. The website, www.fallingfruit.org , serves as an excellent platform to celebrate local abundance by marking and showcasing the various plants and vegetation in our area.     Staff and volunteers have successfully identified over 65 edible plants on public lands which can serve as a valuable source of nourishment! From mulberry trees and elderberry bushes to pear trees, there is a diverse array of options for enjoyment. We encourage you to explore the website on when specific harvests may be available and guidance on personal picking.

  We're gearing up for a whirlwind of fun with Summer Enrichment Activities for Kids (SEAK) - an action-packed 8- week program for kids to mingle, explore, and chow down on some tasty treats. Geared towards anyone aged 1-18 in Harvey County, this program dishes out free meals and fun activities four days a week. By serving up nutritious meals, breaking social barriers, and rallying community support, SEAK aims to sprinkle some positivity around! Teaming up with awesome community members like YOU lets Peace Connections shine a spotlight on our community's strengths. The African proverb, "I am because we are," perfectly sums up how SEAK can bring us closer, tap into our neighborhood resources, and share good times over a meal. Big thanks to YOU for being a key player in this journey!     It takes a village to run this program- from volunteers, churches, restaurants, businesses, organizations, financial sponsors, and staff. It is the time and talent that grows from these...

  By Kendra Davila    For current Peace Connections staff, it feels like a little bit of magic (mixed with hard work) to hear the origin story of Harvey County Circle of Hope. Margaret Goering smiles when she tells the story, as she was a part of the planning committee 18 years ago that brought this initiative to town. At the time, Margaret worked as a Healthy Start Home Visitor, working with pregnant women in poverty, and believed this was an excellent way for families to get some extra help. Initially, her friend Cookie was facilitating a budgeting class while she coordinated casseroles and childcare, ensuring families had full bellies and a quiet environment in which to focus on the program material. Margaret marvels at the connections she has made in the ensuing time, sharing about people in the kitchen, volunteers from different churches, businesses and communities and program participants and guests, coming from all levels of the income spectrum. Some of the people ...