While working with dozens of nonprofits over the last decade, I’ve often seen committed people either get so caught up in the mission, that they lose sight of the business principles or get so mired down in logistics and operations, that they forget the face and story behind their efforts. I generally find myself in the latter camp which is why I’m pausing today – as we begin our 2nd annual street theatre tour – to share why, as a proud board member, I give my time and money to City at Peace DC, and hope you will consider joining me.

1. I wish I had a program like City at Peace DC. I’ve always had a deep curiosity about social justice and a passion for asking lots of questions. While I was extremely fortunate to be involved in many community activities in Massachusetts and Pittsburgh where I grew up, there wasn’t an organization dedicated to helping young people explore and understand cultural norms, systematic inequities and define how they fit in. Talking to alumni of the program, it is very clear that City at Peace DC provides a support system to explore feelings and issues that can’t be done elsewhere.

2. More people die from suicide each year than from homicides and war combined. I heard this statistic while living in India where college students were dousing themselves in gasoline and burning themselves in the streets. I was horrified by the act of self immolation and am haunted by how little respect and investment we pay to mental health – whether measured in dollars, news coverage or human effort. Despite almost universal recognition that the culture needs to change (even in the U.S. military), there are very few programs that address mental health before it becomes a problem. While not a psychological approach, City at Peace DC gives young people a safe place to talk about their lives and gives them training to recognize systemic power systems that often leave them feeling powerless and frustrated. The program gives them the tools to find more creative and constructive non violent solutions to the challenges they face. As one alumni told me in an interview last year, “City at Peace is life-changing, life saving.”

3. I agree with Whitney that we should “teach [children] well and let them lead the way.” At its core, City at Peace DC is about leadership and empowerment. Through a youth led model, the goal is to equip young people with the tools they need to have the confidence to stand up for what is right and achieve their potential to make positive change in their communities. As Whitney Houston would say, “Show them all the beauty they possess inside.” When it comes to my time and money, I don’t think there’s any better investment than young people who can carry us all forward with their energy and resolve.

I’d love to hear why you support City at Peace DC. And, please, consider making a gift of your time or money to support this amazing organization. Click here to make a donation, or here to get details about how to attend one of this week’s street theatre performances. Thanks for reading and supporting the efforts of City at Peace DC!