P.E.A.C.E. 4 All sees financial crunch

CRYSTAL LAKE - A local nonprofit that helps victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault says it will shut down by mid-July if it fails to raise last-minute financial support.

"Like a lot of social-service agencies, we're in a crunch," said Cindy Smith, executive director and co-founder of P.E.A.C.E. 4 All.

A slowing economy combined with the group's own lax fundraising efforts have resulted in the cash shortage, Smith said.

"I don't think we've done a good job sustaining our supporters," she said.

P.E.A.C.E. 4 All opened 31⁄2 years ago in Crystal Lake as a nonprofit agency working to end family violence and sexual assault. The "P.E.A.C.E." in P.E.A.C.E. 4 All stands for "prevention, education, advocacy, community and enrichment." The charity serves about 600 people annually, Smith said.

"If somebody isn't here to pick up the pieces, these people, this client base, is going to go unserved," she said.

The group serves adult women and men but has a particular focus on helping child victims, which is the key to ending the cycle of violence, Smith said.

"Our focus is always going to be on the kids," Smith said.

A faith-based charity with a main office at 44 N. Virginia St., Suite 1A2, Crystal Lake, P.E.A.C.E. 4 All differs from other  social-service agencies in that it is not "feminine-based" and tries to facilitate family healing, she said.

"You can keep families together," Smith said.

Along with a laundry list of services that includes crisis intervention and advocacy, three particular areas, Smith said, would go unserved if the group were to fold.

Those areas were providing assault crisis and recovery work for children, providing transitional housing for victims and families, and a planned child care program for kids 5 and younger.

Unlike other groups, P.E.A.C.E. 4 All does not have a short-time limit on stays for its small amount of transitional housing, Smith said. The group recently was given two additional apartments that need to be renovated, she said.

P.E.A.C.E. 4 All also was given space to open a five-day-a-week child-care center but needs cash to make the vision a reality, Smith said.

The key to all the goals and plans is finding a continuing funding stream, Smith said.

"Otherwise this county loses another social-services agency," she said.

To learn more or to donate to P.E.A.C.E. 4 All, contact them at 815-455-2457, online at peace4allonline.org, or at their office, 44 N. Virginia St. Suite 1A2, in Crystal Lake.