Operation P.E.A.C.E. and Wingate Companies open learning center

Building upon the success of its Fenway location and a desire to reach even more families, Wingate Companies and Operation P.E.A.C.E. have opened a new learning center. Operation P.E.A.C.E., which stands for Partnerships in Education and Community Enrichment, serves both young and old, affordable housing populations through free educational programs, language courses, and technology resources. "We are excited about offering our programs to more Boston families with our second location and look forward to enriching family and community life in the Dorchester neighborhood," said executive director David O'Donnell. "Our free learning programs are available to the whole community with courses for children and adults, unemployed residents, new English speakers and senior citizens." "We are grateful to all those who joined together to make this center a reality," said Mark Schuster, principal, Wingate. "Based on the warm welcome we have received from the Dorchester community, we are confident Operation P.E.A.C.E. Dorchester will become a vibrant neighborhood resource for local families to learn key life skills." Wingate Companies donated the space for the new center, which is located at Noral Apartments, at 15 Norfolk St. in Codman Sq. The program houses a school-age education center, cooking and arts & crafts area, a children›s reading library and a computer lab. Supporters of the new learning center include the Continental Wingate Family of Companies, as well as Kyocera Copiers, Microsoft, Scholastica America, Techsoup and Ideapaint. "We welcome a great program with proven success to the Codman Square neighborhood," said state representative Russell E. Holmes. " Operation P.E.A.C.E. brings a much-needed resource that will fill the void of afterschool, computer lab and ESL training, not only to Wingate residents but the entire community." Operation P.E.A.C.E. was founded in Atlanta in 1995 with financial support from The Continental Wingate Family of Companies and the Schuster family. Wingate has continued to build on that legacy of philanthropy in an impactful way. "Wingate is dedicated to making a positive impact on the communities it serves," said Gerry Schuster, founder of Continental Wingate Companies and Operation P.E.A.C.E. "Since opening our first Boston location in 2001, it has been our hope to expand into other areas of the city where our programs can benefit disadvantaged and low-income residents."