East Harlem, NYC

Every child deserves a village.

At Paint 4 Peace Children's Village, creativity becomes a pathway to peace — empowering children through art, education, and community.

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From a recent studio session — a lesson in progress.

Jamol Pugh, Founder & Executive Chairman

A young artist shows off her finished canvas — Art Class

Community Meet & Greet with local leaders

Cast & crew at the Courageous the Musical benefit gala

David W. Hanzal, Advisory Board Member & STEAM Program Coordinator

From a recent studio session — a lesson in progress.

2025

Building the village since

750+

Children & adults within our village

Showing up alongside us

Courageous

A musical written to teach a lesson that sticks

Ask about sponsoring the next one →

Every figure above is real — nothing here is a placeholder guess.

Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit Registered with the NY Charities Bureau

Where do you fit in the village?

Six ways in, one village.

Tell us who you are and we'll take you straight to what matters to you.

PParent or family DDonor VVolunteer LCivic leader EEducator CCorporate partner

What we do

Our Programs

Free, for ages 6 to 18 — every program below is open for registration now, with more launching this season.

Art Class

Painting, drawing, murals, and mixed media — where every piece builds confidence and self-expression.

Boot Camp

Fitness training, discipline, and brotherhood — building stronger bodies and the confidence that comes with pushing your limits.

Recyclers

Community clean-ups and recycling projects that put real dollars in kids' pockets while teaching environmental responsibility.

Tech Lab

Digital design, basic coding, and creative software — hands-on skills for where the world is headed.

Barber & Cosmetology Training

Grooming, cutting, and styling skills — a real trade taught with real standards.

Podcasting Studio

Storytelling, recording, editing, and broadcasting — finding their voice, literally.

Textile & Sewing

Sewing, pattern-making, and textile design — practical skills and creativity stitched into every project.

Horticulture

Planting, growing, and tending a garden — patience, responsibility, and a hands-on connection to nature.

+ 2 More Coming Soon

Financial Literacy & Youth Development and Peace Over Violence — new programs launching this season.

See the full schedule →

Beyond the craft

Every skill becomes a real trade

Every skill above becomes a real product — art prints, sewn goods, plants, podcasts. Kids learn to budget, price their work, market it, and sell it — the same real-world skills at the heart of our upcoming Financial Literacy & Youth Development program, turning creativity into their first real income and real confidence.

Every Thursday

Food Pantry

Groceries for anyone in the community who needs them — no appointment, no paperwork, just show up.

11:00 AM until food is gone Bring your own bag First come, first served

2037 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10029

Why this work matters

Creativity is a bridge to peace, learning, and leadership.

Art sparks possibility, education opens doors, and every child is encouraged to dream boldly and lead with compassion — supported by a community of families, educators, and artists working together to nurture confidence, empathy, and imagination.

Every brushstroke tells a story. Every idea builds connection. And every child who walks through our doors finds a village that believes in their potential — becoming, in time, a creative leader, a compassionate thinker, and a global citizen in their own right.

What we stand for

Our core values

Creativity

Imagine. Express. Inspire.

The spark that ignites discovery — through art and imagination, children learn to express themselves and see the world not just as it is, but as it can be.

Peace

Kindness is our language.

The heart of everything we do. We teach kindness, empathy, and understanding, helping children build bridges between people, cultures, and communities.

Leadership

Lead with heart, act with purpose.

We empower youth to take initiative, make thoughtful choices, and use their voices for change — building confidence and responsibility with every step.

Community

Together, we grow stronger.

It takes a village. By uniting families, educators, artists, and volunteers, we create a caring space where every child feels supported, valued, and celebrated.

Education

Learn today. Lead tomorrow.

Learning is a lifelong journey. Our programs open minds and build the skills children need to grow into curious, capable, compassionate global citizens.

Integrity

Do what's right, even when unseen.

We lead with honesty, respect, and accountability — every decision we make reflects our commitment to doing right by the children we serve.

Who's behind it

Leadership

Jamol Pugh

Founder & Executive Chairman

A Harlem-based, faith-driven visionary, community leader, and entrepreneur committed to empowering children and strengthening underserved communities. As founder of Paint 4 Peace Children's Village, he champions arts, culture, and mentorship as powerful tools for healing, unity, and positive transformation rooted in Harlem's rich legacy.

Jeffrey Turenne

Board Director

An accomplished sales, marketing, and business development executive with over 25 years of experience driving revenue growth, building strategic partnerships, and leading high-performing teams for Fortune 500 companies. Jeffrey brings valuable business insight and professional leadership to Paint 4 Peace's community initiatives.

Ronald Blount, Jr.

Board Director

A seasoned healthcare professional with over 30 years of experience improving healthcare systems in the Bronx and New York City, including leadership roles with HealthFirst and Blue Cross Blue Shield/Anthem. Ronald currently serves as Executive Director of the Bronx County Medical Society, working with hospitals, insurers, and healthcare organizations to improve service delivery and advocate for physicians. His focus areas include patient safety, health equity, and political advocacy at the local and state levels.

Denese Pugh

Administrative Coordinator

An experienced human resources professional with over 18 years in HR administration, compliance, and workforce support. Her background in recruitment, onboarding, benefits administration, and regulatory compliance strengthens Paint 4 Peace's operational integrity, staff readiness, and long-term sustainability.

David W. Hanzal

Advisory Board Member & STEAM Program Coordinator

An international business executive, community advocate, and education leader with more than 25 years of experience in business development, vocational education, and workforce development. David serves as STEAM Program Coordinator, IT Operations Lead, and Advisory Board Member at Paint 4 Peace, and is also President of the Manhattanville Tenant Association, dedicating years to community organizing and housing advocacy in Harlem.

Rodney R. Smith

Advisory Board Member

A criminal justice and social impact professional with more than 20 years of experience in probation services, restorative justice, and youth mentorship, including a career with the NYC Department of Probation. Rodney is Founder and Executive Director of Archers, Inc., a sports mentoring and college-prep program, and has been honored by the NYC Department of Probation, the NYC Public Advocate, and the Bronx Borough President for his community impact.

Maribel Masso

Advisory Board Member

A housing and community services professional with more than 30 years of experience supporting individuals and families facing homelessness and housing instability in New York City. Maribel currently serves as a Community Coordinator with NYC's Department of Homeless Services and is a dedicated community advocate, fluent in English and Spanish, committed to connecting people with the resources they need.

In their words