New Associate Director Brings Treasure Trove of Connections

 (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 help people live their lives the way they want to live and to give them a hand up,” Allen said. “I don’t tell people what to do; I coach them and help to give them skills to build their own lives. I want people to feel the dignity of belonging fully within our community.”

Allen finds outlets for her desire to better people’s lives in Peace Connections’ programs, including Harvey County Circles of Hope (COH), assistance facilitating a Getting Ahead Class at the Harvey County Detention Center, Summer Activities for Kids (SEAK); and free Laundry Night (seriously check out the Laundry Love story).

“I feel God has brought us together at Peace Connections not only to educate and to care for people but also to receive from the people we serve,” Allen said. “No matter what our backgrounds or level of resources, we all have something to give to each other and to learn from one another. That is what community networking is all about.”

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