What started as a crusade to save an elementary school in 1984 has turned in a community-based establishment into its 27th year of existence.
Nestled in Over-the-Rhine,
Peaslee Neighborhood Center is a beacon of community involvement.
“We bring people to our center to discover what community really is,” says Kathy Hunt, Peaslee's executive director.
At 215 E. 14th St., Peaslee's exterior is decorated with colorful murals. Trees line the building. Inside, the building retains its elementary school charm; it feels like a place for learning. “This is a peaceful place in Over-the-Rhine for peace, education, and people to empower themselves,” says Nina Bosken, an Americorps member at Peaslee.
The center offers many programs, both in community education and educational programming. Programs include private piano lessons, African drumming classes, and service learning opportunities.
The bottom floor houses a fully licensed education center with space for 47 children, aged six weeks to five years old. Children are grouped into classes by age, and all students come from low-income housing, most in Over-the-Rhine or the surrounding areas.
Education is activity-based, with students spending time outdoors, working on literacy, or working the center's community garden, for which they care entirely themselves.
On the community education end, Over-the-Rhine residents, college students, high school students, and other organizations can come and perform service learning days. These days include a “pep talk” from community education volunteer coordinator Jenn Summers and three hours of service at up to seven different non-profit organizations in the neighborhood. The morning concludes with lunch at Peaslee and an afternoon of reflection-based activities asking participants to apply what they learned.
These community education days aren't self-serving: they affect all of Peaslee. “We educate on multiple levels. Kids downstairs [in the Child Development Center] are impacted by the kids coming to serve,” Summers says.
Despite their diverse programming, everything Peaslee does focuses on one connecting concept.
“It's participatory education. Everything is hands-on,” Hunt says. In addition to their own programming, the Peaslee Neighborhood Center serves as a network for other like-minded organizations. They provide office space for tenant non-profits, all of which focus on social justice or civic engagement.
“We offer community support for each other, and we share missions, visions, and values,” Hunt says.
Do Good:
Attend: Peaslee's Holiday Stories dinner and silent auction on November 18 at Music Hall.
Donate: and help the Peaslee Center continue to provide education for everyone.
Volunteer: and help teach kids from low-income families.
By Gina Gaetano
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