All PEACH Club programs are offered free to participants. The long-term after-school program is held twice a week in the PEACH Club studio as well as in five communities on Chicago's north, northwest, and south sides. At each site, the same children meet twice weekly over the course of the school year. The curriculum is founded on the idea that a child must come to know her/himself before she/he is able to realize her/his potential. Toward that end, the curriculum is divided into three parts; self-introspection and self-realization, self-reflection and self-integration, and integration of the self into the social unit, which is our mentorship program.
During the first trimester we establish relationships and other activities which invite children to use their own ideas as inspiration for action. This begins the process of self-awareness.
The second trimester uses children's developing skills and confidence to explore their surroundings. Students become aware of how the environment affects them and how they can effect the things that are around them. Writing, drama, dance, and three-dimensional projects become important. The children are encouraged to focus on learning about themselves.
The last portion of the program incorporates mentoring as a form of practice in relationship-building and awareness. This is when the children gain hope and confidence through self-awareness and realization of their capabilities. During the mentorship individuals from the community who want to make a difference in young people's lives are matched with a child for two hours a week for nine weeks. Through exposure to new ideas and opportunities, the children begin to recognize that their dreams can become realities. They explore making things, solving problems, and thinking creatively in all aspects of living.
In addition, we hold a once-a-month Family Day, where community artists lead workshops that provide educational, creative, cultural, and social activities bringing children, siblings, parents, or guardians together to make public art. Our summer program is a six-week, full-time enrichment program providing a comprehensive creative arts experience.
The PEACH Club continues to develop creative alliances with permanent city-wide organizations such as Chicago Zephyr Dance Ensemble and Power Girls, Friends of the Chicago River, the Gaia Theater, the Creative ReUse Recycle Center, and the 13th Street Community Garden.