Peace Connections News

There is no better way to start off the year than bringing two big-hearted women onto the board of directors. That is what Peace Connections has done in inviting Priscilla Griffith and Jenna Ratzlaff to be part of the team. “I am excited to be part of something in which I can give back to a community that has given so much to me,” said Priscilla Griffith, a graduate of the Circle of Hope program and current owner of a Habitat for Humanity home in Newton. Griffith is a 45-year-old musician and mother to three children and works in the international shipping department at the Bradbury Company in Moundridge, Kansas. Jenna Ratzlaff is a 27-year-old Director of Social Services at Kansas Christian Home in Newton. Before receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work, she served as a high school volunteer for childcare during COH Tuesday evening gatherings. “I love social work a lot,” Jenna said. “I feel very honored to help residents with transitions. … And now I also look f...

  Jesus knew five loaves and two fish could not feed 5,000 people. Nevertheless, he stretched the disciples’ faith by asking them to provide supper from these tiny staples. Crowds gathered to hear Jesus teach and learn how to live the message he was sharing. When the crowds departed, they had been fed physically and spiritually. The gatherings of people who are cared for and each shown a different way of life. The same could be said of the crowds that gather on Tuesday evenings at Circle of Hope, as each participant comes searching for nourishment and connection. To help forge a practical miracle today in Newton, we are making a call for supper donors. We invite cooks to prepare a meal for the Tuesday gatherings, of 60-80 persons, who gather at First United Methodist Church every week. These meals bring families into the program as they build hope into their future stories and close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Though it will help with rising food costs...

  Just as the signs of change and hope of Spring are appearing outside, so are the hope and signs of change emerging at Circle of Hope! The 26th cohort of the Getting Ahead Financial Management Class is anticipating their graduation and gleefully discussing the possibilities of their future. As the class members got to know each other, they took a deep dive into their finances and various causes of poverty, they discussed the importance of setting goals and discovered their courage and tenacity, encouraged by facilitators Melodie Tucker and Chris Allen. Everyone in the room is working toward something, whether it is building relationships or a stronger financial base, the desire for change is one that unites us all. This dedication, commitment, and drive in each individual is something we are going to celebrate, as each participant is writing hope into the future story. Please help us honor this hard work by joining their upcoming graduation on February 20th at First United Methodi...

John Sommer confesses that before he became a volunteer ally with Circle of Hope, he wasn’t exposed to people who hadn’t been raised in a middle-class environment. Since becoming an Ally- a person who accompanies a Circle of Hope participant for 18 months while he or she sets and meets goals in building a stronger future some of his blinders have been peeled away. “Being an Ally has brought me into direct contact and relationship with people I would not otherwise have run into,” John said. “It is helping me get involved with the lives of people- and they with mine- in ways that foster new human connections. “By connecting with people outside my normal sphere, I have been enriched and educated. I once attributed poverty to laziness and a lack of direction. What I have learned is that larger socio-economic forces- such as racism and lack of access to healthcare and educational opportunities contribute greatly to a generational family pattern that is hard to break.” During the 10 years th...

(Originally Published Tuesday, May 09, 2023) Jacob Easley first learned about Harvey County Circle of Hope in 2011 through a friend, another program participant, who invited him to an evening program and dinner. Jacob came to the dinner but slipped out before the program. Five years later, Jacob returned to the program with another attendee, but this time he stayed for dinner and the program. He liked what he heard. Jacob quickly signed up for a financial management class offered as part of the robust program. He wanted to learn how to budget, to set goals, AND stick to them! Jacob and five others attended the 15-week Getting Ahead Class where they learned all about financial and social capital, causes of poverty, and re-examined their community.  After the Getting Ahead Class, Jacob was matched with three Allies: John, Marvin, and Deb. These three volunteers walked alongside Jacob as he made progress on his goals, offered insight and advice when needed, and provided a listeni...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) By Laurie Oswald-Robinson      When symbolizing world peace, a global image arises, though you can pinpoint a spot on the prairie on Google Maps where a local non-profit called Peace Connections is based in Newton.      It’s not that Peace Connections, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2023, hasn’t concerned itself with the big issues of violence, poverty, and injustice. It’s just that its way of connecting with the world was from its perch in south-central Kansas, where it’s sought to care about both global and local concerns.      The non-profit’s first missions when launched in 1983 focused on the global family – nuclear arms and refugees – from its office above Druber’s Donuts on Sixth Street. Forty years later, Peace Connections makes its home in the Red Door Building on Pine Street where it foremost serves local families and builds relationships across all strata of the immed...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) It seems fitting on this 40th anniversary of Peace Connections, Kendra Davila, Executive Director, was one of four winners of the 4 Under 40 award given by Emerge. The organization (formerly Newton Young Professionals) presented Kendra with this honor in early August. For a second year in 2023, Emerge recognized young professionals (18-plus-years-old up to 40) for exemplary service within the community, fostering leaders for the future. This is a community that Kendra knows and loves, given that she grew up in south-central Kansas and is now serving this region in her adult vocation. “I love being in connecting roles – connecting families to resources and making new connections with partner organizations and churches that may not have partnered with us before,” Kendra said during an interview after the award ceremony. “Connecting is in our name and is a big part of what we strive to do in all our programs that engage adults and...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) The 25th cohort of the Getting Ahead Class for Harvey County Circle of Hope (COH) recently completed the 15-week financial management class. This is the 25th class of courageous individuals who knew they had the potential to write hope into their own future story. They are individuals exploring the discrepancy between what is and what could be. They are now part of a community, 200-plus strong of graduates who are increasing their income, paying off debt, stabilizing their lives, and building better futures for themselves and their families. As the class members learn to manage their money, they are also learning to set goals. One individual noted it was the first time she could remember setting a goal for something that couldn't happen in that same week. That meant building her capacity to plan for the future. The nine graduates were Amanda Pontious, Blake Bowin, Brenda Lee, Gerald Goddard, Ian Long, Julia Long, Rickie Wilbour...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) In early June, Ellie Wintermote, an only child, got the benefit of the bubbling water play along with the buzz of social time in the park next to New Creation Fellowship in Newton. Because of wanting to provide more social connections for her daughter, as well as to have a mom-daughter date, Jennie Wintermote brought Ellie to Summer Enrichment Activities for Kids (SEAK), sponsored by Peace Connections. Every June through July, the local non-profit offers a free meal to kids, for anyone ages 1-18, and activities four days each week at two sites; the park at New Creation Fellowship and at Immanuel Baptist Church on Anderson Street, which is across town. Ellie and her mom enjoyed the Chinese meal provided by Panda Kitchen and playground equipment at the New Creation site. “We love this program, especially since Ellie is an only child and without other cousins,” said Wintermote, a member of First Mennonite Church in Newton. “This g...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) When Chris Allen was hired at Peace Connections in early summer, not only did the non-profit gain a talented and insightful staff, it also received a treasure trove of connections that Allen had already forged throughout Harvey County. Allen was well honed as a connector through a variety of prior roles in the past number of years. Those roles included Community Health Worker with COPE (Communities Organizing to Promote Equity) and Community Outreach Advocate for three other organizations- Health Ministries, SafeHope, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Allen is building on these networks and partnerships, providing a real asset to both Peace Connections and to the families with whom they work. While she held all of these jobs in organizations with different names, the heartbeat behind all of them included the same desire: to help adults and children of all ages and backgrounds to build stronger and more purposeful lives. “I want to ...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) If the late Paul E. Oswald ever had reason to be proud of Peace Connections, it would have been this past June 10. That was when the non-profit’s Seventh Annual Paul Oswald Golf Tournament scored a “hole-in-one” for Harvey County Circle of Hope (COH). That amounted to $10,000 in gifts for COH, which helps families build more positive futures through mentoring, life skills training, and community engagement. “Every year, I see fresh creativity and generosity grow this annual fundraiser,” said Laurie Oswald Robinson, Fund Developer and Communicator for Peace Connections, and Oswald’s baby daughter. She and her family with Peace Connection’s Resource Development Committee spearheaded the event, held at the Hesston (Kansas) Golf Course. Her sister, Jane Oswald Lambert, and Paul’s oldest child, said, “Dad grew up in poverty and at the age of 12 went to work on other farms to help his own family eat. That’s why COH and its model of b...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, September 20, 2023) By Laurie Oswald Robinson It is amazing what a few quarters and a smile can do for one’s heart – as well as one’s laundry. A local resident discovered this when she went to Sunshine Laundry, 1800 W. First St, Newton, on the first Thursday of the month during a free, monthly event called Laundry Love. She entered the room, made warm by the humming washers and dryers and the smiles of staff members from event co-sponsors Peace Connections and Communities Organizing to Promote Equity (COPE). Staff were greeting folks and handing out free quarters, detergent, and dryer sheets from 6 to 8 p.m. That night, too, for the first time since the event began in February, this resident enjoyed a free meal, provided by Janie Schmidt and Stephanie Thompson, of Faith Mennonite Church. The attendees could also pick from a table full of free hygiene items. Laundry Love started very simply and practically in California 20 years ago, when an unhous...

  (Originally Published Tuesday, May 09, 2023) Since Harvey County Circle of Hope began in 2009, the program has been a vital asset for the Harvey County community. Celebrating the 25th cohort of the Getting Ahead Class as Peace Connections celebrates 40 years of positively impacting our community. It is a milestone worth celebrating! There have been many ups and downs, celebrations, and uncertainties during this time, and it seems change is the only constant we can rely on today. We have a new Getting Ahead Class Facilitator to introduce- Melodie Tucker! Tucker graduated from Getting Ahead in February 2022 and has been making tremendous strides toward her goals and building strong relationships with peers. Melodie brings pep and realness to class discussions, offering valuable insight and reflection while fostering meaningful discussions and connections. Her first class is just weeks away from graduating- and we would appreciate your attendance to support this work and recognize t...

  (Originally Published Wednesday, February 01, 2023) Volunteer Gary Moore has a long legacy with Peace Connections- since its inception in 1983. He helped establish the city-wide Recycling Program and has been engaged with the Peace Center ever since. In 2000, when the focus shifted toward alleviating local poverty, Gary joined the initial meetings- the ones that eventually led to starting Circles of Hope - at the McKinley Administration Building. He states, “They brought in people from Missouri and Texas to tell us about the program.” Gary knew it was a worthwhile program but didn’t think he could get fully involved due to the time commitment. However, five years ago when he semi-retired, he decided to jump right into becoming an Ally. Simultaneously, for the past 15 years, Gary led devotionals at the Harvey Co Detention Center, and once he learned that Peace Connections was searching for a facilitator for the Getting Ahead Class, he offered his time and talent to continue the ef...