PEACEmakers
Freedom School student Lyric Bibbs raises her arms and sings the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus during the Harambee morning motivation at Peacemakers of Rocky Mount.
Like many organizations, Peacemakers of
development organization serving a low-
and exercise videos on our social media
Rocky Mount pivoted its well-laid plans when
income neighborhood, it was only fitting
platforms.”
the coronavirus pandemic struck last year.
that our plans shift as the needs of the area
The nonprofit had just moved into its new South Rocky Mount facility a month earlier,
increased.” Peacemakers’
Online parent support groups launched with teachers and mental health professionals
programming
supports
as facilitators. Morning one-on-one tutoring
nearly doubling their space and facing the
community members in the areas of education,
began
need for extensive renovations. Located at
job preparation and community events to
needing extra support and Peacemakers
2221 West Raleigh Blvd., the building was
help empower people with knowledge that
continued providing tutoring for its existing
formerly South Village Nursing Home.
leads to successful, sustainable lives.
After School Program participants.
for
elementary
school
students
“When we said we had great expectations
“The governor’s executive order prevented
for how God was going to use this new location
us from opening at full capacity, so we did all
unexpectedly created a significant financial
to advance His kingdom in South Rocky Mount,
we could do to support parents and students
strain for a number of families,” Lewis said.
we had no idea those plans would begin with
virtually in their new normal with children
“Being the hands and feet of Jesus means
a pandemic,” Peacemakers Executive Director
learning from home,” Lewis said. “We shared
that we respond where we are needed. So
Jesse Lewis said. “Being a Christian community
daily read-aloud videos, parenting workshops
Peacemakers prepared weekly food boxes for
24
“Children
being
out
of
school
