Shining Light in South Rocky Mount: Peacemakers’ Remarkable Mission

What a great experience I had when my special friend, the Fun Director at Sky-vue Skateland, Denise Watkins, invited me to the Picnic For Peacemakers hosted by the amazing Englewood Baptist Church. This was my first Peacemakers experience. I am certain that the leadership of this group is providing a model for the nation to educate children who need support.

Breonna Walker, head of Southside Academy, is a self-contained, bright, articulate, beautiful woman that is an authentic witness that transformation is possible in a community by nurturing its youngest residents – children from underserved neighborhoods. Mrs. Walker is an example of the young, black, leadership that Rocky Mount boasts and is the guarantee of its future.

In a world where it’s easy to focus on the negatives, there are organizations quietly changing lives, offering hope, and laying the foundation for a brighter future. In the heart of South Rocky Mount, Peacemakers is one such organization. At Peacemakers, it’s more than just providing educational opportunities. It’s about fostering self-sustainability, building family bonds, and most importantly, demonstrating the tangible love of Jesus Christ. Their mission isn’t a short-term fix; it’s a long-term commitment to restore a community from the inside out, one child, one family at a time.

The perfect spokesman for Peacemakers is Jesse Lewis, Executive Director. He understands the need, the significance and solutions for the children they are serving. Mr. Lewis has a gift for clarity, talking about children who might otherwise lack access to the support and resources they need. If you need a program, invite Mr. Lewis to talk about his passion, this organization, and like myself, you will be ‘blown away.’

Peacemakers comprises three programs. Southside Academy, Freedom Academy is their summer program and an after-school program in its 13th year. Currently they are working with 48 elementary students in the neighborhood. The program provides homework assistance, individual tutoring on skills that need remedial help, and a snack.

These children, who might otherwise lack access to the support and resources they need, are given dedicated time for homework assistance and individualized tutoring. What makes this program extraordinary is not just the academics, but the atmosphere of care and personal attention. These children experience encouragement and guidance that empowers them to succeed.

It’s not hard to imagine the difference this makes in a child’s life—boosting confidence, improving skills, and helping them see that they, too, can achieve great things. The program doesn’t just provide education; it sows seeds of hope and belief in a better future. It brings a tear to my eye because this help is REAL.

Another shining example of Peacemakers’ commitment to building strong foundations is their Book Parties where neighborhood children gather for stories, fun, and, perhaps most importantly, the chance to build their own home libraries.

For many low-income families, access to age-appropriate reading material is a challenge. But at Peacemakers, children are given the opportunity to choose books they can take home and keep. This not only encourages reading but also helps instill a love for learning that will last a lifetime. By providing children with books, Peacemakers is creating long-term academic benefits and building the kind of in-home environment that fosters curiosity and growth.

Peacemakers is having its 10th year Christmas Store available to families identified for buying gifts for their family at a great savings. This year its December 6th & 7th. You can donate unwrapped, new toys, with price tags still attached. Peacemakers then reprices the items at 80 percent off. Invitations are sent to local low-income families (based on school social worker and local agency referrals). Families come to the “store” to shop on two days in December.

Peacemakers is proof that when people come together with a shared mission of love and service, incredible things happen. The individuals behind this organization—the staff, volunteers, and supporters—are passionate about seeing real change. They’re not just talking about the problems; they’re doing the work.

This organization is making a tremendous impact. Here is the volunteer card. I love to read to children, maybe I could help at a book party.

This photo is but a section of those that attended the Peacemaker Picnic. They represent the volunteer possibilities listed in the card above. An impressive representation of the Rocky Mount area who support the work and goals of Peacemakers. There is a lot of hardship in the world, but right here in our own backyard, there are people choosing to make a difference. Peacemakers is not only meeting the immediate needs of children and families, but also paving the way for lasting community restoration. Let’s add them to our prayers as they continue this noble and essential work.

This post is dedicated to Rasheenia Ruffin Volunteer of the Year

Peacemakers of Rocky Mount
2221 W. Raleigh Blvd.
Rocky Mount, NC 27803

Monday – Thursday: 8:30AM – 5:30PM
Friday: 8:30AM – 4:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 3:00PM

“Peacemakers is a Christian community development organization serving the under-resourced area of South Rocky Mount in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Our mission is to partner with our neighbors in South Rocky Mount and surrounding areas by providing exceptional educational opportunities as they pursue self-sustainability and family flourishing. In doing so, we strive to tangibly demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ in such a way that it via ultimately in the complete restoration of the community and its people.” (website)