At P.E.A.C.E., service is not just what we do — it’s who we are. Every action we take is driven by the belief that transformation is possible when we meet people with compassion, consistency, and community.
“Serving with Purpose” means reaching those at the margins: the youth struggling in silence, the men and women returning home from incarceration with nowhere to turn, the families fractured by generational trauma. It means choosing to see potential where others see problems.
But how do we serve with purpose?
We do it through real, hands-on support and deeply intentional programs designed to meet the core needs of those we walk beside:
At P.E.A.C.E., we do not hand out hope — we build it, walk it out, and live it together.
This is not a charity. This is community restoration.
This is not about saving people — it’s about equipping them to save themselves.
This is what it means to serve with purpose.
At P.E.A.C.E., we don’t just focus on healing the wounds of the present — we are planting seeds for a stronger future. Empowering the next generation means giving our youth the tools, voice, and vision to rise beyond the pain, pressure, and patterns that threaten to define them.
Too many of our young people are growing up in communities where struggle is normal, opportunity is rare, and trauma goes unspoken. They’re navigating environments shaped by violence, poverty, incarceration, and abandonment — where survival too often takes the place of dreams. But we believe that every child, no matter their background, has the power to lead, to inspire, and to succeed — if given the chance.
P.E.A.C.E. empowers the next generation through intentional mentorship, structured life-skills programs, and positive peer engagement. Our youth initiatives focus on building confidence, emotional intelligence, education, and purpose, offering real-world tools and relatable mentorship from those who’ve overcome similar battles. We help our young people learn how to make healthy choices, set goals, recognize their worth, and build futures rooted in self-respect and resilience.
We do not see our youth as problems to be fixed, but as leaders in the making. Through programs like the SEED Success K-12 Incentive Program, Critical Change Gang Prevention, and Building Self-Esteem & Goal Setting, we are disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline and helping young people take ownership of their future — not by fear, but by hope.
Empowering the next generation is not a slogan — it’s a responsibility. And at P.E.A.C.E., we carry that responsibility with love, with vision, and with the unshakable belief that tomorrow’s change begins with how we uplift our youth today.
“At-risk youth” is more than a label — it’s a reality shaped by environments where dysfunction, instability, and trauma are far too common. These young people aren’t problems to be fixed — they’re individuals trying to survive systems and surroundings that put them at greater risk for behaviors often rooted in pain, confusion, and unmet needs.
Many of these youth struggle with delinquency, substance use, violence, poor academic performance, and other high-risk behaviors. But these are often symptoms, not causes. According to national data, nearly 13 million American youth live in poverty, a condition closely tied to behavioral, emotional, and health challenges. Their struggles often reflect replicated behaviors — what they’ve witnessed or experienced themselves — including abuse, neglect, instability, or exposure to violence. These experiences typically fall within the Adverse Childhood Experiences (A.C.E.) model, elevating the probability of long-term struggles.
At P.E.A.C.E., we see beyond the statistics. We recognize that being labeled “at-risk” doesn’t define a youth’s future — but it does mean they need intentional, compassionate intervention. Through our three core principles — Education, Confidence Building, and Support — we’re working to change the story for these youth.
We provide safe spaces where they’re seen, heard, and empowered. Our mentorship programs, group support, life skills training, and community engagement efforts aim to reduce risk while promoting purpose. Whether it’s helping a young person return to school, avoid gang influence, or simply find someone who believes in them — P.E.A.C.E. is committed to walking that journey with them.
Hope isn’t just a word. It’s a strategy — and at P.E.A.C.E., it’s what we offer every young person who’s been told they won’t make it.
At P.E.A.C.E., we believe employment is more than just a paycheck — it's a pathway to dignity, self-worth, and stability. It’s the difference between surviving and thriving, between recidivism and redemption. That’s why our Pathways to Employment initiative is not just about job placement — it’s about restoring purpose.
For many of the individuals we serve — whether returning citizens, at-risk youth, or single parents trying to rebuild — barriers to employment are steep and deeply rooted. Criminal records, lack of work history, limited education, and unaddressed trauma often block access to opportunity. But at P.E.A.C.E., we don’t see limitations — we see untapped potential.
We provide hands-on job readiness training, resume and interview coaching, and direct connections to employers who are open to giving second chances. We also collaborate with local workforce development agencies and offer financial literacy workshops to help participants not only gain employment — but keep it, grow in it, and build a future from it.
Our goal is not to place people in any job — it's to help them discover what they’re capable of becoming. Through mentorship, career exploration, and personal development, we work to instill confidence and the belief that everyone has something valuable to contribute to the world around them.
Pathways to Employment is about freedom — financial freedom, mental freedom, and the freedom to dream again. At P.E.A.C.E., we walk every step with those we serve until they’re not just working — they’re building legacies.
Coming home after incarceration isn’t just a physical transition — it’s an emotional, mental, and social one. Missouri’s Department of Corrections has recognized this reality, acknowledging the impact of factors like Post-Incarceration Syndrome and the significant mental health challenges many parolees face. At P.E.A.C.E., we understand that successful reentry requires more than good intentions — it demands structure, support, and empathy.Many returning citizens experience a storm of emotions: confusion, guilt, shame, fear, and worry. These feelings are often intensified by the sense of being a guest in someone else’s world — a world that may not feel welcoming. That sense of not being trusted or accepted can lead to isolation, relapse into harmful coping mechanisms, and a cycle that reinforces the very patterns people are trying to escape.That’s why P.E.A.C.E. is committed to walking alongside formerly incarcerated men and women — not just offering “a second chance,” but helping them build a new path. We know that real change comes through consistent support and practical tools. Our reentry program offers:
At P.E.A.C.E., we believe reentry should be done with dignity — not judgment. We see the potential in every person and offer the tools to help them unlock it.
The work of P.E.A.C.E. is not just valuable — it is vital. In the State of Missouri, the recidivism rate stands at a troubling 43.9%, with 36.9% of first-time releases returning to incarceration. Our research team, in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), has uncovered a critical insight hidden within these numbers: over 50% of recidivism cases are directly tied to broken or strained family relationships. This means that the cycle of incarceration is deeply rooted not just in individual behavior, but in fractured support systems.
National research — including that by Andrews and Bonta — identifies several criminogenic needs that must be addressed to reduce repeat offenses: substance use, antisocial thinking, negative peer influences, poor family/marital relationships, unemployment, and lack of healthy recreational outlets. These are not just statistics — they are real barriers that our communities face every day.
At P.E.A.C.E., we address these needs head-on. Our programs provide a holistic response: helping individuals reconnect with family, find stable employment, gain emotional support, access mental health care, and engage in positive community activities. Without these kinds of interventions, people are too often released into the same conditions that led them to incarceration in the first place.
This is why P.E.A.C.E. is necessary. We are building bridges where there were once barriers — and creating real pathways to long-term change.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.