Update: We met the matching grant challenge in June 2007! Thank you for all your support!

The Voluntown Peace Trust (VPT), a nonprofit education center for social change and sustainable living situated on the historic “Peace Farm” property in Voluntown, Connecticut, announced that any donations it receives before June 30th will be matched up to $50,000 by an anonymous donor.

“This matching grant represents a terrific opportunity for us to get debt free and be able to invest in the future of our programs and outreach,” said Danny Malec, who earned a master’s degree in Peace Building and Conflict Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University before becoming a full time Partner at VPT. The Voluntown Peace Trust offers programs, meeting space, and educational opportunities to local and national grassroots organizations working for social change. VPT’s facilities are available for rent, especially for peace and justice oriented or community-based groups.

Members of the Southeastern Connecticut Peace & Justice Network have pledged $10,000 dollars toward the matching grant to support VPT. “We were part of the initial effort to save the Peace Farm from being sold to subdivision developers,” said Anne Scheibner of St. Francis House in New London. “We see this matching funds campaign as a great step and hope that lots of people in the area will send donations - $50, $100, $1000 or more – to reach the goal.”

With the Hartford Catholic Worker, VPT hosts a summer camp where underserved youth from Hartford’s North End experience nature and learn community building and conflict resolution skills. “It’s important that our city youth have a place to build relationships with nature and one another free from the hustle and bustle of city life” says Sarah Karas of the Hartford Catholic Worker. “Voluntown has been that place for us."

This summer, VPT announces their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project. Local shareholders will receive organic produce weekly. The CSA applies sustainable gardening methods to support local economies and preserve Connecticut’s farming traditions. “I have a share in the CSA,” says Gil Grimm, Voluntown’s First Selectman. “It’s great to get more organic farm land back in production. I support their efforts and am looking forward to a healthy summer harvest.”

VPT and the CT Department of Environmental Protection are working on a comprehensive survey of the property, which will be the foundation for a responsible land plan for VPT’s woods, fields, and facilities.

The VPT property has been linked for half a century with nonviolence training and action, as well as equity-based economics and environmental stewardship. It was most recently maintained by the late Chuck Matthei of Equity Trust, who pioneered alternative models of land tenure and economic development.

To contribute to the Matching Grant Program, send your check by June 31, 2007 to the Voluntown Peace Trust, 539 Beach Pond Road, Voluntown, Connecticut 06384..