Peace Community Center continues to grow, as four full-time staff positions have been added to the leadership in the past two years. The Center's leadership team works together to support and build all of the Community Center's programming and initiatives:

Education: Bachelors Degree in Mathematics from the University of Puget Sound, Completed Lutheran Services in America CEO Introduction Seminar

About Bill: Bill grew up in south Seattle and now lives here in Tacoma’s beautiful Hilltop neighborhood with his wife Kathy. He was powerfully impacted the summer after his junior year in College by a month long internship he completed with Desire Housing Projects of New Orleans. This internship showed him the demand God gives through scripture to respond to human need and suffering through working for justice. This drew him to his work here at Peace Community Center.

His love for Peace Community Center: "Watching the development of the children and youth we serve over the course of the years is very rewarding -- to see a child we served as an elementary student now serving as a counselor at our summer day camp -or- a student who came to us struggling with high school now finding academic success in college. To have the opportunity to walk beside the children, youth and young adults we serve is an honor."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 102; billh@peacetacoma.org

Education: Bachelor of Social Work from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA and Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York, NY

About Kerri: Kerri was born and raised in a rural area in Eastern Washington. After she moved to Tacoma to attend PLU, she soon started volunteering at Peace Community Center as a KidREACH tutor at Peace and then worked for a year as the City as Parish Intern at Peace prior to moving to New York for graduate school. She also has experience working with refugee youth in Tacoma. Kerri is excited to be back in the Hilltop and working at Peace Community Center.

Her Love for Peace Community Center: "I have loved Peace since I began volunteering here over five years ago. It is not just the amazing students, staff, volunteers and members that we have at both the Center and Church, but also the feeling of community in the neighborhood and the feeling of "home" when you feel when you walk in the doors. I think it really is a rare thing for an organization to have this kind of relationship with a neighborhood and its neighbors. I'm glad to be back in the Hilltop and working at Peace Community Center...for me, it's like coming home."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 103; admin@peacetacoma.org

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English from Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Master of Arts in Teaching from University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA

About Laurie: Laurie grew up San Antonio, TX. She moved to Tacoma in 1988. Laurie worked for Planned Parenthood for 5 years, before earning her Masters. She then taught at Foss High School for 11 years. Laurie was first introduced to Peace by two AmeriCorps Volunteers at Peace that came to tutor in her Avid classroom at Foss High School (AVID is a program that helps students in the academic middle to be successful in high school and prepared for college). When the Avid program lost district funding, the Education Director position allowed Laurie to continue reaching the kids that are often forgotten and help them reach their own potential -- body, mind, and spirit. Now she is teaching a for-credit course at Peace called College, Life and Academic Succes Skills (CLASS).

Her Love for Peace Community Center: "Peace Community Center is a beacon on the Hilltop which draws students to enter its doors and pursue their dreams. It is a place of incredible inspiration. I am always inspired by the dedication of our students who show up daily and work hard to achieve their goals. Is there a more moving sight than our tutoring room (1/2 of a gym floor) full of high school students doing their homework?

I am also inspired by the persistence and loving attitude of our staff, AmeriCorps Volunteers, and the volunteer tutors who never give up on our students. It is intense and difficult work and they do it with aplomb. And always, in the background are our supporters, those who support us withe their gifts and their prayers. I am so fortunate to be a part of Peace."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 109; eddir@peacetacoma.org

Education: Bachelor of Science in Biology, with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Puget Sound (2004). Currently attending the University of Washington as a graduate student where he is finishing a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Multicultural Education. Trevor will graduate in Spring of 2009

About Trevor: Trevor was born in San Fransico, California, but grew up in Kenya. He moved to the Pacific Northwest to attend University of Puget Sound (UPS) and to be close to a brother who lives in Seattle. While attending UPS, Trevor became involved with Peace Lutheran Church. Through the church, he became a volunteer tutor in the Hilltop Scholars program. After graduating, Trevor became a member of our AmeriCorps team for two years before returning to college to work on his Master's Degree. While working on his degree, Trevor continued to work as a part-time staff member at Peace Community Center.

His Love for Peace Community Center: "I really enjoy working at the Peace Community Center. I love working with the staff, the volunteers and the students. I feel that the Peace Community Center really tries to make a difference in our neighborhood and in the lives of our students. The Peace Community Center is like a family. We try to help our students even when their needs go beyond academics, and we try to help and support one another through the ups and downs. I am very pleased and grateful to be working here."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 ext. 111; trevork@peacetacoma.org

Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from Whitworth University. Associates in Arts and Sciences from Tacoma Community College.

About Daniel: Daniel grew up on the Eastside of Tacoma. He attended Lister Elementary, McIlvaigh Middle School (now First Creek), and graduated from Lincoln High School. He went to Whitworth University in Spokane for four years before returning to Tacoma. After college, Daniel did two years of AmeriCorps service with the Hilltop Scholars program and one year of VISTA AmeriCorps service at Peace. Daniel was hired to become the Director of Alumni Support in February of 2010 and officially began serving in that position in September 2010.

His Love for Peace Community Center: "There is a lot I love about Peace. Peace is a building but it is filled with caring and committed individuals - community members, children, youth, volunteers, staff - who love our neighborhood and our city. We love it for what it is and we love it for what it can become. We recognize the potential of this community to be transformed for the better and I love that we put so much energy and attention into the children, youth, and young adults in our community as the means to bring about this positive transformation. I love that this is a community center in the truest sense of the word – we look out for, support, and love each other."

Contact: (253) 383-0702 x111; danielb@peacetacoma.org

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and English, Pacific Lutheran University; Certificate in Paralegal Studies, University of Washington Tacoma

About Ruth: I grew up moving between Idaho and Minnesota, but have called Tacoma my home since 1998. I studied at Pacific Lutheran University where topics like social justice and feminism became very important and integral to my life. For the last two years I worked at Peace through Northwest Leadership's AmeriCorps team, and through this opportunity I have grown to know and love the city of Tacoma more than ever.

Her love for Peace Community Center: I am so inspired every time I come to work because everywhere I turn there are kids here wanting to learn and develop themselves. Whether it is the high school students that come to tutoring on the very first day of school, or the elementary students that come for weekly tutoring at night after an already long day, there are always people here seeking support to make their dreams become realities. I love that I am part of a team of amazing people that gets the opportunity to walk with these kids as they travel their own unique paths.

Education: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Pacific Lutheran University

About Tim: Tim grew up on the outskirts of Auburn, Washington. He graduated from Auburn High School, and then went to Pacific Lutheran University. After graduating, he worked for a year as an elementary band assistant in the Puyallup School District in the morning, and was an intern with Hilltop Scholars in the afternoon. After that, he became an AmeriCorps member with Hilltop Scholars, and is set to return for a second year.

His Love for Peace Community Center: "What I love about Peace Community Center are the students. They teach me so much every day, and I am constantly touched by what they share. I am thankful that Peace has given me an opportunity to work with high school students, especially as I work towards becoming a math teacher. I hope the students I work with get as much out of tutoring as I do from them."

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Washington Tacoma (June, 2011)

About Rachel Diane: Rachel Diane was born and raised in San Diego, CA for 12 years. In December 2001, she and her family moved to Port Orchard, WA to be closer to relatives. She graduated from South Kitsap High School and then began commuting to the University of Washington Tacoma (UWT). Initially, her plans were to go to graduate school for a Masters in Higher Education-Student Affairs, as she was extremely involved in campus activities all four years of college. However, during her senior year of college, she found out about the Peace Community Center through a connection at her campus. Since then, she has found her passion: working with high school students. She plans to stay with Peace for a couple years and then pursue a Master of Education in Counseling.

Her love for Peace Community Center: “I must say that I have been very impressed with Peace Community Center. After going to college in the Tacoma community for a few years, not even aware that in my backyard was a place for students of all ages to grow personally and academically, I have found my niche. Starting as an intern for Hilltop Scholars in November 2010 until June 2011, I truly admired Peace Community Center’s mission statement: Touching Lives, Extending Peace. I have held this near and dear to my heart and have witnessed all the caring adults who work with the students who attend the after school programs. I look forward to being more involved as one of the new AmeriCorps members this year in such a tightly-knit atmosphere full of community bridging and relationship building!”