In the new CPT Chicago office Sophia Hostettler and Dave Corcoran open envelopes of year-end giving with expectant gratitude.  Margaret Sumadh does likewise in Toronto.

Generally supporters are moved to donated about one third of CPT's annual income during the holiday season.  However, a dip in the level of donations at the end of 2008 caused a financial shortfall that resulted in an urgent appeal and deep cuts.  Supporters responded generously to the urgent need throughout this year.  "We are so grateful that we have been able to restore CPT work in Al Khalil (Hebron) and to continue the work in Iraq thus far," said Carol Rose, Co-Director of CPT. 

On faith CPT moved forward with trainings in Colombia, Europe and Chicago this year. New CPTers are serving as reservists and some are filling openings as full-time CPTers finish their terms of service. 

While we are still keeping a cautious freeze on the size of the full-time Peacemaker Corps, there are urgent openings for new full time CPTers in Palestine, Ontario and Iraq.  There is also a need for new reservists who are available to serve yearly on team for several weeks or months and who are ready to raise funds equivalent to the cost of their service.  "If the year-end donations continue in the generous trend of this year, we hope to be able to go beyond filling current vacancies to expand the full time Corps in order to widen our existing peace work with communities in Colombia, Iraq, Palestine and North America and perhaps beyond," said Rose.

Meanwhile the offices of Chicago have moved into one floor of a new-to-CPT home. Although CPT's mailing addresses have not changed, CPT in the U.S. has new phone numbers. Tel: 773-376-0550 · Fax: 773-376-0549.

Renovation work continues, getting other parts of the building ready to welcome future trainings. Thousands of volunteer hours and more than a dozen no-interest loans are making this purchase and renovation possible.  Rose looks forward to the energetic presence of volunteers throughout the next six months. "With 6 more loans of $5000 we will meet our goal to cover the cost of the initial renovations without diverting funds from project peace work." 

Preparing for peace in this season, we are expectant to see what support from far and wide will make possible.

Link to photos of the new office and volunteers and CPTers at work on the building: http://cpt.org/gallery/CPT-Chicago

Link to photo of office workers with year end donations: http://cpt.org/gallery/album304/sophia_and_dave_smile_and_year_end_donat...

Link to photos of 2009 Training groups: http://cpt.org/gallery/album303