Boston Center Finds Help in Local Churches

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Boston, MA—It has been said that the best way to weather a storm is to stay on course. As the nation braces for an economic downturn, David Zermeno, executive director of the Operation P.E.A.C.E. (Partnerships in Education And Community Enrichment) Community Arts and Technology Center refuses to lose focus or become distracted. Zermeno believes that rough times are a blessing in disguise-one that helps us to mature and grow in new ways. Zermeno believes that challenges require people to dig deep within themselves and find creative ways to survive.

This is precisely what Zermeno has done at the Operation P.E.A.C.E. Community Arts and Technology Center. Understaffed and working on a limited annual budget, he is creating innovative neighborhood partnerships to help provide a variety of services to the center's diverse community.

"We all have God-given gifts," expressed Zermeno. "Some people have the gift of language. Others possess the gifts of inspiration and persuasion. I have been blessed with the gifts of enthusiasm and creativity. When times are rough, these gifts, especially my creativity, propel me forward."

Tapping Local Resources

Recently faced with the need for more staff and volunteers, Zermeno engaged in some creative brainstorming to identify groups of people who would enjoy giving back to their community. He says the answer came quickly for him: Consider the local churches.

"Many members from local churches are already community oriented and want to give back to the community," Zermeno said. "I realized that I had to reach out to them and provide them with specific guidance on how to volunteer and get involved in our center."

For Zermeno, that meant doing his homework. He made a list of local churches, synagogues, and local spiritual centers; researched their values and belief systems; determined whether the leader was a priest, pastor, or rabbi; and then tried to identify someone in the individual congregations who could introduce him to the leader. Based on his research, Zermeno decided to reach out to three congregations: Fenway Church, Christian Science Church of Christ, and Boston Temple. He then moved ahead with what he describes as his most critical step: officially introducing himself and the center.

"After identifying potential partner congregations, I set up a formal meeting with the leaders to identify our common values, establish trust, and build a symbiotic relationship with them," explained Zermeno. "I was not successful in reaching all of the leaders right away, and there were times I wanted to give up. However, I reminded myself that the children in our afterschool program were depending on me, and I pressed on. Once contact was established, I visited with them and discussed how we could benefit from their wealth of knowledge and skills."

Zermeno met with Pastor David Hill of Fenway Church; Debbie Lawrence of the Christian Science Church; and individuals from Boston Temple, with whom he is still trying to establish a partnership, to discuss the center's programs and services. He distributed center brochures and shared photos of residents enjoying center events and children participating in the afterschool programs. His message was clear: Residents are benefiting from the center's programs. Many members of the various congregations were impressed with Zermeno's desire to help others, and volunteered to join him.

Debbie Lawrence of the Christian Science Church (back row, third from right) has been instrumental in securing at least $4,000 of in-kind contributions for the Operation P.E.A.C.E. Community Arts and Technology Center. Lawrence and Executive Director David Zermeno (back row, second from right) are pictured here with some young residents who participate in the center's youth programs.

A Godsend

"The volunteers from the congregations have increased the size of my staff, and are helping us run all of the community programs. For example, Debbie Lawrence, my key contact with the Christian Science Church, has been instrumental in securing at least $4,000 of in-kind contributions, including furniture, office equipment and supplies, and arts supplies for all of our community programs." Zermeno went on to say, "In March, I sent Debbie an e-mail letting her know that the children needed tables, and she had them there by the end of the week. Our values are aligned. It gives her and the church great joy to contribute and give back to the center's programs that benefit low-income families."

Zermeno is also excited about his most recent partnership with Fenway Church. The church has donated more than $3,800 worth of volunteer hours to the center, as well as the services of a Web designer who updates the center's Web site weekly, an administrative assistant with a background in business and economics, and an English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor.

"I used to pay around $2,000 for an ESL instructor to come to the center and conduct a class. The ESL instructor provided by Fenway Church manages the new ESL program, which has an exciting ESL curriculum titled Leaders of Civil Rights and World Peace. The curriculum teaches residents about leaders, such as Desmond Tutu; Mahatma Ghandi; Martin Luther King, Jr.; Eleanor Roosevelt; Cesar Chavez; and others. The curriculum was created by Tyler Bugden, who completed this curriculum as his thesis during his internship at Operation P.E.A.C.E."

Emmanuel College students Amanda Granger (front row, second from right) and LeAnne Fahey (back row, second from right) volunteer a couple days each week at the Operation P.E.A.C.E. Community Arts and Technology Center afterschool program. Granger and Fahey not only help young residents with homework and create the curriculum, they also gain valuable teaching experience.

When Times Get Tough, the Tough Get Creative

For Zermeno, the lesson in establishing these partnerships is simple: "We do not have to cry about the state of the economy or blame others for our circumstances. Tough times can be a great opportunity for us to have fun rediscovering our inner gifts. Success is something you can have right now. So get outside and start by taking a walk around your block. You will be surprised at the many exciting opportunities that await you."

For more information about Neighborhood Networks centers in Massachusetts, contact:

Mari E. Adams
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Boston Multifamily Hub Thomas O'Neil Federal Building
10 Causeway Street, Room 301
Boston, MA 02222-1092
(617) 994-8521
Mari.E.Adams@hud.gov

For more information about the Operation P.E.A.C.E. Community Arts and Technology Center, contact:

David Zermeno
Executive Director
Operation P.E.A.C.E. Community Arts and Technology Center
78 Peterborough Street, Suite 11
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 267-1054