In the past two years, Peace Out students have raised funding and awareness for more than 30 local non-profits focused on social services such as basic needs, healthcare, education, art, and a wide variety of human services. The benefits of this program are felt not only in lives of those assisted, but throughout the entire community as these teens experience firsthand:
- Self-Esteem -- Through actively connecting with causes they select, teens gain an understanding of the needs within our communities. In this way the program promotes a culture of mutual respect and tolerance of one another.
- Empowerment -- Once there is an awareness of the issues, teens are moved to action within their own neighborhoods and communities. Youth feel empowered as they experience giving and see the positive results of their actions.
- Healthy Choices -- Positive peer engagement helps teens build on the healthy choices of one another. By creating a culture of youth leadership and action, teens are encouraged to affect positive change, both in their own lives, and the lives of those around them. One student of Peace Out said, “I make better choices now that I know I am representing Peace Out and the community.”
Peace Out is currently in a growth phase. Based originally in University Place, Peace Out has recently branched out into three neighboring locations: North Tacoma, South Tacoma, and Puyallup.
