Throughout this year, the Center has evolved in many different ways. We have continued to serve as a resource center for progressive activist groups, primarily as a storage space for groups activating in the streets and a location for distributing essential PPE and building care kits. We have also implemented a number of new programs rooted in community care and connection, including our monthly Create-In-Place series where attendees come to create art and stay for open conversation in a judgement free zone.
Interns and volunteers have had a direct influence on the Center’s shift towards a more active organization in our community. They have facilitated a number of bystander intervention and de-escalation trainings, organized community discussions around local police response to protests and Abolition theories, planned and managed a safe and family-friendly Halloween event, and built the Peace Pantry that has served so many of our community members.
As 2020 comes to a close, we are going to hit the pause button and take time to determine how we can keep up with the momentum we’ve created and where we’d like to take it in 2021. Our office hours will be closed from Monday, December 7th until January. Meetings can be scheduled by appointment during this time, and groups keeping up with mutual aid projects will still be able to reserve the back parking lot.
Please contact Tara (coordinator@sanjosepeace.org) with any questions or inquiries!