FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 16, 2019

Jennifer Wilder, #OurCommonCalvert
410-610-2888, revjenn@broadviewmaryland.org

Bob Reeg, Peace Through Action USA
202-827-5967, breeg@peacethroughaction.org

#OurCommonCalvert and Peace Through Action USA Announce Service Collaboration

(Sunderland, MD and Washington, DC)—#OurCommonCalvert and Peace Through Action USA announced their intent to work together to strengthen bonds between community members of Calvert County, Maryland and the surrounding area by providing residents meaningful opportunities to learn, serve, and lead together.

Through the collaboration, Peace Through Action USA will assign a national service participant to #OurCommonCalvert. The peace agent will help #OurCommonCalvert transition to a formal community-based organization and increase the scale and reach of its youth leadership development and mentoring work, which focuses the county’s young people on advocacy, equity, training, dialogue, and service activities. “Our impact and the community’s participation have grown exponentially, and our organization must grow to keep pace,” said Rev. Jennifer Wilder, pastor of Broadview Church and #OurCommonCalvert steering committee member.

“In just four years since its founding #OurCommonCalvert has established itself as a proven leader, bringing Calvert community members together for learning, dialogue, and organizing action. Through #OurCommonCalvert, I can do more things to impact others’ lives,” said Diallo Taylor, a high school student and #OurCommonCalvert steering committee member. “This collaboration with Peace Through Action USA brings their subject expertise and other resources to Calvert County and will help us get farther, faster,” said Rev. Ken Phelps, rector of All Saints Episcopal Parish and #OurCommonCalvert steering committee member.

“We are delighted that #OurCommonCalvert has invited us to support their important community building work,” said Bob Reeg, Peace Through Action USA chief executive officer. “The national service program model we use is a perfect fit to their growth aspirations. We can’t wait to see what these community leaders will accomplish with a compensated peace agent adding their dedicated time and talent to these volunteers’ efforts.”

The organizations’ top priority currently is securing gifts of money to implement the collaboration. They invite donations from residents of Calvert County and the southern Maryland area, local businesses, service clubs, religious congregations, community and family foundations, and others. The organizations have set up a giving page (http://bit.ly/peacegivecalvert) and text-to-give number (text “Give” to 202-410-0372) for collecting donations. Also, the organizations invite people to get involved in or follow the project on Facebook (#OurCommonCalvert Facebook page) (Peace Through Action USA Facebook page).

#OurCommonCalvert strives to develop leadership across generations, build relationships within our diverse community, and unify organized action in Calvert County, Maryland.

Peace Through Action USA activates and equips Americans to implement practical peaceful solutions to aggression and violence in their communities and our country.

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