Angel Belford | PEACE, Inc.

Celebrating the People Behind PEACE, Inc.

by Angel Belford | Sep 3, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. recently hosted its annual Staff Appreciation Day, giving employees from across the organization an opportunity to come together, relax, and celebrate the important work they do throughout the community. The event provided a chance for staff to step away from their daily responsibilities and enjoy time with their coworkers.

The day was filled with music, food, games, raffles, and plenty of fun. Staff participated in Human Slots and Bingo for a chance to win prizes, while a basket raffle took place throughout the event. There was even some unexpected excitement when a few staff members found themselves battling the bees.

While Staff Appreciation Day is a fun opportunity to celebrate, it also serves an important purpose. Bringing employees together allows staff from different programs and departments to connect, build relationships, and strengthen the sense of teamwork across PEACE, Inc. These connections are valuable as staff work together to support children, families, seniors, and individuals throughout the community.

The event was a meaningful reminder of the dedication and compassion that PEACE, Inc. staff bring to their work every day. Their efforts help strengthen the community and support PEACE, Inc.’s mission of helping people realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient. Staff Appreciation Day provided an opportunity to recognize the people who make that work possible and celebrate all that they contribute.

Local Partners Help Children Start the School Year Ready for Success

by Angel Belford | Aug 29, 2026 | News and Information

The fifth annual Health and Wellness Event brought together PEACE, Inc., Syracuse Housing Authority, CARE, the Brady Faith Center, and Meals on Wheels to connect families with important health, wellness, education, and community resources. Held in Syracuse on August 29, the event welcomed approximately 750 community members and featured 40 vendors offering services and information to local families. This was the first year PEACE, Inc. joined the partnership, helping expand the resources available to children and families in the community.

As part of the event, PEACE, Inc. provided more than 560 backpacks, along with school supplies, to help local children prepare for the new school year. Families also had access to a variety of other services and resources, including eye exams, hair braiding, health and wellness information, and other community supports. In addition, 900 pounds of fresh produce was distributed to attendees, providing families with nutritious food to take home.

The event demonstrated the impact that can be made when community organizations work together toward a shared goal. By bringing so many agencies and resources together in one place, the Health and Wellness Event helped families access services that support their health, well-being, and success. For children, having the supplies they need for school can help them feel prepared and confident as they begin a new year. PEACE, Inc. is grateful to Syracuse Housing Authority and all of the community partners who came together to support local families and help create opportunities for children to start the school year on a strong foundation.

CNY Central covered the event and highlighted the community’s strong turnout and the 900 pounds of produce distributed. Read the full news story to learn more about the event and the organizations that came together to support the community: CNY Central News Story

Bigs and Littles Come Together to Give Back

by Angel Belford | Aug 26, 2026 | News and Information

The PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters Program recently brought Littles and their Big mentors together for a meaningful Day of Caring focused on community service and giving back. The event provided an opportunity for the children to work alongside their mentors while learning about the importance of being caring, responsible, and engaged members of their community.

During the service project, the Littles worked together to sort and package new clothing that will be donated to local children’s programs throughout Onondaga County. As they worked, they also shared thoughtful suggestions for local organizations they would like to support in the future. Their ideas showed how eager they are to find ways to help others and make a positive difference in their community.

The young volunteers accomplished a great deal, packing 20 large bags of clothing to be distributed throughout Onondaga County. To add an extra personal touch, the Littles wrote encouraging notes to place inside each bag. These messages of kindness helped make the donations even more meaningful for the children who will receive them.

The Day of Caring was a wonderful example of how community service can help young people build important life skills while making a positive impact. Through opportunities like this, Big Brothers Big Sisters helps Littles develop confidence, responsibility, compassion, and a stronger connection to their community.

To learn more about the Big Brother Big Sister program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/bbbs/

Helping Children and Families Start the School Year Strong

by Angel Belford | Aug 20, 2026 | News and Information

Families came together at the Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center for a Back-to-School Giveaway designed to help children and families prepare for the new school year. The event provided families with a variety of resources to help make the transition back to school a little easier.

Over 70 children were able to choose from backpacks, school supplies, clothing, books, board games, and snacks. These resources gave children helpful items for the classroom while also providing families with additional support as they prepared for the year ahead.

The Back-to-School Giveaway was also an opportunity for families to come together and connect with their community. PEACE, Inc. is grateful to everyone who helped make the event possible and to the families who joined the Eastside Family Resource Center. Events like this help provide children with the resources they need to feel prepared, confident, and ready for a successful school year.

To learn more about Family Services visit: peace-caa.org/programs/frc/

Community Partners Connect with Seniors at the Market

by Angel Belford | Aug 18, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. is grateful to the community partners who have joined the Senior Nutrition Program for five Thursdays of Senior Nutrition Days at the CNY Regional Market this summer. These partners have spent time connecting with seniors, sharing information, and helping create a welcoming community experience around each meal.

Inviting community agencies to join these events gives seniors an opportunity to connect directly with organizations and learn about resources that may support them and their families. Having these partners in a familiar and welcoming setting makes it easier for seniors to ask questions, discover available services, and build connections within their community. These interactions can help seniors feel more informed, supported, and connected beyond their time at the lunch.

Thank you to State Senator Rachel May, State Senator Chris Ryan, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon, the Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services, the Onondaga County Health Department Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Loretto, Meals on Wheels of Syracuse, Onondaga County Public Libraries, SOFSA, Health Education Project, Vera House, YMCA of Central New York, Upstate Global Health Institute at Upstate Medical University, and Nascentia Health for being part of these summer events.

The Senior Nutrition Days at the Market have provided more than an opportunity to enjoy a meal. They have created space for seniors to connect with community organizations, learn about available resources, and spend time together. PEACE, Inc. appreciates the many partners who helped make these gatherings meaningful.

Senior Nutrition at the Market may be concluded for 2026, but the Senior Nutrition Program runs year round at 30 different locations across Onondaga County. Visit our website to learn more and find a location close to you or your loved ones. Peace-caa.org/programs/senior-nutrition/