Project Peace
Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace, 748 Wallace Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15221
About
Project Peace is a service camp where participants take part in activities such as community beautification, an Art and Talent Show for Peace, and events like Pancakes for Peace. Youth and young adults can dance, rap, sing, and share poetry, and they also join in Martin Luther King Vigils and Prayer Vigils. A closing celebration for families is described as a true highlight of the camp.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Project Peace Service Camp runs for 5 days from June 15–19 and takes place right after school lets out
• Price: Youth and young adults between the ages of 14–22 years old can earn up to $350 in 5 days; each youth is paid a generous stipend; all youth are given a $50 stipend for participating
Since 2010, the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace has been working alongside many dedicated partners in Wilkinsburg in the mission of saving youth to save the community, as it lifts up Wilkinsburg as a community in which to live, work, study, and worship. The camp seeks to inspire youth and to beautify the community. The mission of the chaplains is to provide a pastoral presence in response to a critical incident in the community resulting in serious injury or loss of life to residents of Wilkinsburg.
Each chaplain is a licensed or ordained minister of a congregation in Wilkinsburg, and chaplains are credentialed by the Wilkinsburg Police Department and participate in regular trainings. Janet Hellner-Burris is a co-pastor of the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg, a community chaplain, and an organizer in the community for over 30 years, and she serves as President of the Board. Thomas Mitchell Jr. is an associate minister at the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, head of the Community Chaplain's program, and has a ministry to prisons around the state, and he serves as Vice President and Head of Chaplains.
The 2024 Board Officers include President Rev. Janet Hellner-Burris (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Vice President/Head of Chaplains Rev. Thomas Mitchell (Covenant Church of Pittsburgh), Co-Treasurers Evelyn Christie and Jim Ruck (St. Mary Magdalene Parish), and Executive Co. Representative Rev. Jerome Hurst (Ethnan Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church), with the Secretary position listed as vacant. Board members are listed as Carol Calloway (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Paulette Davis (El Bethel Temple), Bishop Michael Golphin (Deliverance Baptist Church), Benjamin Hellner-Burris (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Cheryl Hoskins (Resiliency Project Trauma Ministry), Mary Ann Hvizdos (Resident and Exec. of Blessed Be Educators), Shiquita Pratt (Restore Ministries), and Rev. Caitlin Werth (Waverly Presbyterian Church). Representatives include Dr. Mary Buckley (Wilkinsburg Police Department Community Chaplains), Thomas Mitchell (Chair, Covenant Church of Pittsburgh), Chuck Esposito (St. Stephen's Episcopal Church), Janet Hellner-Burris (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Michael Golphin (Deliverance Baptist Church), Jerome Hurst (Ethnan Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church), Pete Smith (Covenant Fellowship Reformed Presbyterian Church), and Caitlin Werth (Waverly Presbyterian Church).
Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace challenges the youth of the community to create peace and gathers with inter-faith partners to pray for peace in the community and world. Prayer Vigils are held whenever there is a loss of life, and Wilkinsburg Community Chaplains gather for a prayer vigil with the community to provide comfort and hope. The organization gathers religious, civic, and community partners to a Pancakes for Peace breakfast to get to know one another. Community partners listed include groups and individuals such as Able Vision, Blessed Be Educators, Center for Civic Arts, Center for Loving Kindness (Jewish Community Center), Ceasefire PA, Christian Church of Wilkinsburg, Community Forge, Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, Deliverance Baptist Church, Hosanna House, Mad Dads, Mulberry Community Church, Restore Ministries, St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Parish, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Waverly Presbyterian Church, Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, Youth Places East, and local leaders including the Wilkinsburg Police Chief and Mayor.
Last updated July 15, 2026.
• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Project Peace Service Camp runs for 5 days from June 15–19 and takes place right after school lets out
• Price: Youth and young adults between the ages of 14–22 years old can earn up to $350 in 5 days; each youth is paid a generous stipend; all youth are given a $50 stipend for participating
Since 2010, the Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace has been working alongside many dedicated partners in Wilkinsburg in the mission of saving youth to save the community, as it lifts up Wilkinsburg as a community in which to live, work, study, and worship. The camp seeks to inspire youth and to beautify the community. The mission of the chaplains is to provide a pastoral presence in response to a critical incident in the community resulting in serious injury or loss of life to residents of Wilkinsburg.
Each chaplain is a licensed or ordained minister of a congregation in Wilkinsburg, and chaplains are credentialed by the Wilkinsburg Police Department and participate in regular trainings. Janet Hellner-Burris is a co-pastor of the Christian Church of Wilkinsburg, a community chaplain, and an organizer in the community for over 30 years, and she serves as President of the Board. Thomas Mitchell Jr. is an associate minister at the Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, head of the Community Chaplain's program, and has a ministry to prisons around the state, and he serves as Vice President and Head of Chaplains.
The 2024 Board Officers include President Rev. Janet Hellner-Burris (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Vice President/Head of Chaplains Rev. Thomas Mitchell (Covenant Church of Pittsburgh), Co-Treasurers Evelyn Christie and Jim Ruck (St. Mary Magdalene Parish), and Executive Co. Representative Rev. Jerome Hurst (Ethnan Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church), with the Secretary position listed as vacant. Board members are listed as Carol Calloway (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Paulette Davis (El Bethel Temple), Bishop Michael Golphin (Deliverance Baptist Church), Benjamin Hellner-Burris (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Cheryl Hoskins (Resiliency Project Trauma Ministry), Mary Ann Hvizdos (Resident and Exec. of Blessed Be Educators), Shiquita Pratt (Restore Ministries), and Rev. Caitlin Werth (Waverly Presbyterian Church). Representatives include Dr. Mary Buckley (Wilkinsburg Police Department Community Chaplains), Thomas Mitchell (Chair, Covenant Church of Pittsburgh), Chuck Esposito (St. Stephen's Episcopal Church), Janet Hellner-Burris (Christian Church of Wilkinsburg), Michael Golphin (Deliverance Baptist Church), Jerome Hurst (Ethnan Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church), Pete Smith (Covenant Fellowship Reformed Presbyterian Church), and Caitlin Werth (Waverly Presbyterian Church).
Wilkinsburg Sanctuary Project for Peace challenges the youth of the community to create peace and gathers with inter-faith partners to pray for peace in the community and world. Prayer Vigils are held whenever there is a loss of life, and Wilkinsburg Community Chaplains gather for a prayer vigil with the community to provide comfort and hope. The organization gathers religious, civic, and community partners to a Pancakes for Peace breakfast to get to know one another. Community partners listed include groups and individuals such as Able Vision, Blessed Be Educators, Center for Civic Arts, Center for Loving Kindness (Jewish Community Center), Ceasefire PA, Christian Church of Wilkinsburg, Community Forge, Covenant Church of Pittsburgh, Deliverance Baptist Church, Hosanna House, Mad Dads, Mulberry Community Church, Restore Ministries, St. Mary Magdalene Roman Catholic Parish, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Waverly Presbyterian Church, Wilkinsburg Community Ministry, Youth Places East, and local leaders including the Wilkinsburg Police Chief and Mayor.
Last updated July 15, 2026.
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