Our Approach to Change: Building Stronger Lives Together
P.E.A.C.E. (People Embracing Another Choice Effectively) and Destiny of H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel) are two Columbia, Missouri–based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations dedicated to transforming lives and communities through mentorship, education, and healing. Together, we are implementing powerful, experience-driven programs designed for youth and adults who are navigating trauma, risky behavior, and the challenges of reentry. These are not off-the-shelf solutions — they are purpose-built by individuals who have lived these struggles and found their way to recovery and resilience.
Our key youth and adult programs include:
- R.I.S.E. Initiative
- The Dangers of Criminal Thinking
- Building Self-Esteem and Goal Setting
- Building Healthier Relationships
- Rediscovering You
- Critical Change Gang Prevention Program
- Victim Awareness Class
- Mending Fences
- SEED Success K–12 Incentive Program
Participation begins at age 7 and continues through adulthood, allowing us to create a continuum of support that grows with each individual.
Our Method: The Sanctuary Model of Transformation
Our work is rooted in what we call a Sanctuary Model — a trauma-informed, emotionally safe environment where peers and scholars feel secure enough to explore personal growth. This isn’t a classroom — it’s a place of healing and change, where facilitators guide discussions and exercises that inspire insight, responsibility, and positive action.
Step 1: Creating Safe Space for Change
- Program materials are shared through guided facilitation, not lectures.
- Group exercises, open discussions, and reflective homework are central to the experience.
- A trauma-informed culture shapes every conversation, respecting each person’s story.
Step 2: Understanding Behavior Through a Trauma Lens
- Lessons focus on how adversity, trauma, chronic stress, and emotional triggers impact thoughts and behaviors.
- We use the Five Stages of Change — Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance — as our foundation.
- Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” we ask, “What has happened to you?”
We believe relapse is not the end — because we believe in the healing power of the human spirit, the resilience of people, the role of spiritual connection, and the power of self-efficacy.
Family Reunification: Restoring Relationships for Stronger
One of our most essential components addresses the deep emotional and relational wounds that impact both children and incarcerated parents. Our Family Reunification Program is divided into two powerful sections:
Section I – Supporting Children of the Incarcerated
- Parents of at-risk children are invited to participate in the same programs their children attend, building mutual understanding and confidence.
- This shared experience fosters stronger family bonds and a united front in the journey toward positive change.
Section II – Parolee-Family Reunification
- For returning citizens, we host structured pre-release conferences with the individuals they plan to live with.
- These conversations help both parties set clear expectations, boundaries, and goals for reentry.
- It is a chance to rebuild trust, create accountability, and lay a foundation for a healthy, stable return home.