Community Builder - Peace House

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Community Builder - Peace House

Peace House Community (PHC) is a weekday gathering place to belong for economically challenged and marginalized women and men in the Twin Cities. PHC achieves its mission by offering services that:

• Nourish the community members’ bodies;
• Nourish our community members’ souls; and
• Enrich the lives of our visitors, volunteers and students.

PHC relies on volunteers to welcome our community members into a safe and affirming space by sitting with them, hearing their stories and affirming their worth regardless of their life situation. Each day, PHC’s volunteers get to share in the life stories that our community members are writing. The stories include joys, fears, friendships, loneliness and so much more.

Volunteers are also encouraged to use any talents or interests they have that can serve the community members. Current volunteers give the community members haircuts, fix bikes, offer hand massages, lead group discussions and more. Others help with lawn care and building maintenance or pick up food donations. Many work behind the scenes, planning special events or writing thank-you letters to donors.

PHC was founded in 1985 to provide an oasis in the midst of chaos and stress to those on the fringes of society. We carry on this tradition today by finding creative ways to welcome our community members. PHC is the neighborhood coffee shop for anyone who cannot afford or would not be welcomed into coffee shops. We welcome each person, regardless of their struggles, and wind up with a vibrant, eclectic (and sometimes strange in a good way) community.

PHC knows that each volunteer brings a unique life experience with them. We encourage everyone to consider volunteering regardless (or because of) their background, current life situation and other factors. We envision a volunteer group as diverse and vibrant as our community members.

For more information, please contact Dagmar at dagmar.koch@voamn.org or call 612-704-6114.