Mid-Missouri Peaceworks

Operation of the Peace Nook, a largely volunteer-staffed resource center for peace, social justice, environmental and sustainability concerns and human rights. The Peace Nook houses our offices, a library, meeting space, displays, and provides access to books and other informational resources for promoting peace, justice and sustainability, as well as environmental and fair trade products, and products with educational messages related to our mission. The Peace Nook is where we hold our classes and discussion groups. The Peace Nook is open seven days a week and serves as an informational hub and a referral mid-Missouri community. We estimate that more than 12,000 people come to the Peace Nook to access resources over the course of each year.

Coordination of Columbia Earth Day activities. Through provision of staff, volunteers, office space, and logistical support we facilitate the annual Columbia Area Earth Day Festival (CAEDF). This event provides significant public education on environmental & sustainability concerns. The focal point of our Earth Day Festival is Eco Avenue, where approximately 40 booths are set up by area organizations, agencies and businesses involved in various aspects of sustainable living education. There is also a Kids' Park set up where hundreds of area families bring their children to participate in nature-oriented learning activities. We also hold sustainability workshops at the Festival. The CAEDF is a free event. We estimate that at least 10,000 people participate each year. Note that in 2020, due to the pandemic, our Earth Day Festival was forced to go virtual, so many of the usual activities were not feasible. In 2021, again due to COVID, we held three three smaller events. In 2022, however, we we able to hold our full event and expect to continue to work to make every day Earth Day in the years to come.

Public education on Safe, Sustainable Energy options, through our Peaceworks' Missourians for Climate Action project. We educate the public on the benefits of utilizing renewable energy & energy efficiency as opposed to finite and polluting energy sources. Much of our efforts are directed at education on the need to effectively address climate change, an existential threat. We hold public informational programs, host expert speakers, hold town hall style meetings, show films and conduct classes on climate change. We also focus on the connection of energy policy and nuclear weapons proliferation, a major concern that is often overlooked in considering the nuclear power option. In addition to public educational events, we operate a speakers' bureau, and have a strong on-line presence through social media, including Facebook. We also engage the public at a variety of events, fairs and community gatherings. We estimate that through our various programs we are in contact with upwards of 10,000 people.

Peaceworks' Peace Education Program provides speakers and informational resources to churches, classes & civic groups. We hold public events and programs, print literature & make available audio-visual resources. We provide classes on peace & justice issues, bring groups together for public forums and dialogs. A major portion of our work is around issues of nuclear weapons and promoting mutual, verifiable nuclear weapons disarmament. We organize free film series, host speakers and organize town hall-style public forums, as well as informal salon style discussion groups. We estimate that through our public events outreach campaigns, publications and web presence that we communicate with upwards of 12,000 people each year.

Peaceworks' Center for Sustainable Living: Our Center for Sustainable Living (CSL) connects global peace and environmental concerns with personal choices and serves as an informational clearinghouse to aid individuals in making responsible choices. Through an active speakers bureau, public presentations, informational handouts, a reference library, referral services, classes and people-to-people outreach, as well as an annual Sustainable Living Fair (SLF). The SLF includes workshops, solar tours, a keynote speaker, booths, displays, children's activities and more. This free event is the highlight of CSL's annual educational work. CSL also organizes Edible Columbia garden tours that educate community members on sustainable techniques for local food production. CSL also holds a free annual holiday gift-making workshop, offers classes on sustainable living topics and has an active on-line presence. Estimated number of people served 6,000.