2025 Annual Report: Where Everyone Has a Place

Community Camp is PEAK’s drop-in summer program at Tiefenthaler Park. It’s a welcoming space where young people and families can gather, connect, and grow together throughout the Summer.

Through daily activities centered on leadership, creativity, and community-building, youth are invited to participate, build relationships, or simply spend time in a safe and supportive environment. Community Camp also creates meaningful leadership opportunities for our Leaders-in-Training (LTs), who step into mentorship roles by guiding activities and supporting younger participants.

Our partnership with Midtown Neighborhood Alliance helps expand this impact beyond youth programming. Together, we host community dinners and game nights that bring neighbors of all ages together around food, conversation, and shared experiences. “Lots of great stuff happens around a shared meal,” said Megan Shepard Smith, Executive Director of Midtown Neighborhood Association. “The goal is not only to focus on what needs improvement in a community, but also to create spaces where joy, care, and connection can thrive. That’s what Bring Back the Village is all about: building the kind of community where everyone has a place.”

These gatherings are rooted in the belief that strong communities are built through connection. In a time when food insecurity and isolation continue to affect many families, programs like Community Camp and Bring Back the Village offer something deeply important: a predictable, welcoming space where people can come as they are, share a laugh, build relationships, and feel supported.

The impact is intergenerational. Older adults have opportunities to connect with and mentor younger participants, while youth gain wisdom, encouragement, and a deeper sense of community belonging. Together, these spaces create opportunities to teach, reflect, celebrate, and grow.

As Megan shared, the goal is not only to focus on what needs improvement in a community, it’s also about creating spaces where joy, care, and connection can thrive. That’s what Bring Back the Village is all about: building the kind of community where everyone has a place.