Short Summary
One of the definitions for “peace” is “a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, especially in personal relations.” If you’ve been watching the television screen or reading the headlines lately, our world is often anything but harmonious. Peace Hostel International is a hostel service whose mission is to create a hub where locals and international travelers can foster a deeper appreciation for different cultures, make the “Other” an ally, and boldly bring people into a state of lasting mutual harmony.
We are a small band of passionate Millennials who need your help in establishing an appropriate and effective location in the Chicagoland area so that our programs and events garner their intended effect. We want to show our international guests what it’s like to be a local in the Chicago community and most importantly, we will send locals abroad through scholarships intended to help spread the message of international peace and solidarity.
For a more in-depth look at how we seek to accomplish that, check out our business plan here.
What We Need & What You Get
I thank you so much for reading on. What I mean to say is that people are easily being caught by the fancy headliners and all the hype generated to gear them toward action. Since we’re trying to have a conversation here, let’s break down what we need to get started!
100% of the total dollars raised will be used to secure a physical location in the Chicagoland area for the hostel. This includes, but is not limited to, electrical and plumbing needs, kitchen appliances, bathroom accessories, washing and drying units, as well as office furnishings and supplies.
We’re a for profit organization with nonprofit goals and to honor our contributors, we are offering naming opportunities at certain levels. Anything from rooms to programs and perhaps even the building! Our unique perks include restaurant outings, guided city tours, and our most prized travel vouchers in which we’ll be taking individuals out both nationally and internationally to experience new cultures.
We are absolutely determined to take this mission out and will continue fighting for peace even if we are do not meet our goal. Please support us so that we can take this vision of a more peaceful society beyond anything any one of us can imagine.
The Impact
A hostel can be looked at by some as a cheaper alternative to a hotel. For many, however, it’s an experience! It’s a chance to meet new people and live viscerally in the hands of the community you’re visiting.
Our hostel assures that travelers get this experience by facilitating events within the hostel that bring people together and breaks the ice. We will also have a talented team of locals giving tours to our guests so that they can experience all that Chicago has to offer, especially in terms of our diverse and fine cuisine, music and cultural arts scene, and even our remarkable theatre community.
The program that warms my heart most and makes us a little bit different is our travel scholarships. We’ll be sending untraveled U.S. citizens out into the world with handpicked experienced travelers to help open the minds of our community. This will give ample opportunity for University students to explore, veterans to experience peace-driven tours, and locals to branch out and connect. For this, we need your help. The impact that this will make will send ripples across the sea of ignorance and transform our future as a global community.
Risks and Challenges
Our main risk is securing a physical location that can facilitate the kind of hostel service we’re running. We are also dedicated to keeping this business private. This is to assure we stay not profit-driven, but peace-driven.
Our main challenge is creating a proprietary security system which can keep both our citizens and visitors safe. The safety of our community members and citizens is our top priority.
An additional challenge is how to stay green and environmentally friendly in our operations.
We’re qualified to tackle these issues because our team includes persons with experience in real estate, public safety, marketing, travel industry, and small businesses. Fortunately, there is a strong love and enthusiasm backing this mission.
We are researching different building structures in terms of cost and application to our service. We’re fundraising with contributors who are interested in not just the bottom line, but the bottom of people’s hearts. And we’re getting familiar with different systems already in place at hostels around the world.
Other Ways You Can Help
Please share our campaign with others, but more importantly, please share our message of peace with your community members. Please get out and get to know the people of other ethnicities, cultural and religious backgrounds and connect with them. If we haven’t touched your heart or your wallet and you’ve stayed with us this far, please let us know why and how we can help in the comments section. And as always, get out and travel!