The Friends of Peace Pilgrim board of directors, from left, Bruce Nichols, Cheryl Canfield, Richard Polese, Barbara Reynolds, Jeff Blom, Maurice Hoover and Mayte Picco-Kline

Friends of Peace Pilgrim

Friends of Peace Pilgrim is a non-profit, all volunteer organization devoted to spreading Peace Pilgrim's message. Our mission is continually being fulfilled by the loving efforts of "Friends" of Peace Pilgrim and peace seekers throughout the world.

The first Peace Pilgrim Center opened in 1983 in Hemet, CA, in the home of John and Ann Rush, who knew Peace Pilgrim for 24 years. She was often a guest in their home, and they published her Steps Toward Inner Peace booklet while she was alive. After 18 years, the Center relocated to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada in Somerset, CA. Then in 2005, we moved again. Now different aspects of our work and service are based in Connecticut, California, and Oklahoma.

Many gifts, mostly small, have made it possible to send hundreds of thousands of free copies of our book and other materials to anyone who asks. Publication and mailing costs are paid for by donations from Peace Pilgrim's friends throughout the world who want to share her inspiring words with others. 

We invite you to look at our offerings, make a donation as you are able, and join the tens of thousands of Friends of Peace Pilgrim around the globe.  

In Friendship and Sympathy

May 2026
Friends of Peace Pilgrim is sad to share news of the death of long-time board member Richard Polese. Richard met Peace Pilgrim as a reporter for the Santa Fe News. He wrote stories about her visits to Santa Fe and hosted her in his home when she passed through town. Richard attended the 1979 Hawaii Retreat lead by Peace Pilgrim. When Peace Pilgrim was killed in a car accident in 1981, Richard organized a gathering of people from around the country who had connected with and hosted Peace over the years of her pilgrimage. Many attending brought letter, tape recordings of her talks, and personal reminiscence.  It was out of this gathering that our book, Peace Pilgrim: Her Life and Work In Her Own Words, came to be. Since then, more than half a million copies have been given freely to people around the globe.

Richard lived a full and giving life, the highlights of which are described in his obituary. Our heartfelt condolences to all who knew and loved him. He is shown here with Peace Pilgrim’s late sister Helene Young.