Eddy Luce | PEACE, Inc.

PEACE, Inc. Pauses its AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program effective immediately

by Eddy Luce | Jul 1, 2025 | News and Information

It is with great sadness to announce that PEACE, Inc. will pause its AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program, effective immediately.

This decision does not come lightly. While AmeriCorps Seniors approved PEACE, Inc.’s 3-year renewal application for federal funding year 2025, the awarded dollars continue to be impounded by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This impoundment is affecting every AmeriCorps Seniors program across the country that has been approved for a 3-year contract renewal. Like others then, the PEACE, Inc. Foster Grandparent Program cannot continue our important work until the funds are released.

This is an especially troubling development for a city like Syracuse, where poverty among seniors has skyrocketed over the past 15 years and childhood poverty is the worst in the nation. Since 1972, the PEACE, Inc. Foster Grandparent Program has allowed low-income senior volunteers to share their time and talents by mentoring at-risk children in our community. This school year, 68 Foster Grandparents volunteers provided one-to-one attention, encouragement, and support to 225 Syracuse City School District (SCSD) and Head Start children who needed assistance overcoming social-emotional and academic challenges. Likewise, the volunteers themselves gained renewed purpose, companionship, and a modest stipend that helped ease financial strain. The program’s impact is indisputable:

81% of participating students exhibited improved social-emotional skills due partly to the time spent with Foster Grandparents. For one SCSD principal, “the Foster Grandparent Program at Delaware Primary is thriving and making a positive impact on the classes they serve and our school community as a whole.”
92% of their Foster Grandparents reported their mental and emotional health had improved due to the program, underscoring how giving back can be just as transformative as receiving help. For one volunteer, “the program has given me a reason to get up and going. I love the kids and they give me such joy. I have a purpose in my life now.”

If you want this important work to continue, please contact your local United States Congressman. Ask them to contact OMB and to release funds for AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Programs such as PEACE, Inc. For those who desire it, a letter template is available here.

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Connecting for Kids: Onondaga County’s Family Resource Fair

by Eddy Luce | Jun 25, 2025 | News and Information

We had a great time at Onondaga County’s recent Family Resource Fair on June 12th, 2025, hosted by the SRC Arena and the NYS Department of Labor. Over 170 businesses and organizations were there to offer over 8,000 jobs, career counseling, resume review, and family resources for the community.

We love events like these for two reasons. They’re a fantastic chance to connect with new families for Head Start and Early Head Start. They also make it easy to network with dedicated individuals who represent a wide range of support services for families and children in our community. It’s a great reminder that we’re all in this together, and it takes many hands to help our children grow into happy, healthy, productive citizens.

Congratulations to Tanisha Wade, our Employee of the Month for June!

by Eddy Luce | Jun 24, 2025 | News and Information

Tanisha Wade has worked within our Head Start program for almost three years, and she is currently a Health Advocate for our Merrick classroom site and for our collaboration with the Salvation Army Cab Horse Commons Child Care Center. Her notable recent achievements include helping to introduce the Chompers Dental Program this year to Cab Horse staff and families, and preemptively getting medical attention for a student upon spotting the early signs of an allergic reaction. Tanisha has been a particularly strong advocate for children in our program with food allergies and has helped staff understand infection control procedures. She is also known for supporting classroom coverage whenever needed, and for being very diligent and thorough about following proper procedures and always consulting with her site’s nurse.

Congratulations to and thanks to Tanisha Wade, our Employee of the Month for June!

Photo: Employee of the Month Tanisha Wade (seated) with (L to R) HS/EHS Health Coordinator Tammi Hatch, RN Christina Lear, Merrick Site Supervisor Lynette Durkin, and Executive Director Carolyn Brown.

A Day of Joy and Unity: PEACE, Inc. at CNY Pride

by Eddy Luce | Jun 22, 2025 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. and staff had a blast celebrating with the community at CNY Pride on June 22nd! It was a beautiful day full of people and joy. The parade and festival following, drew in over 22,000 people. The procession of cars, floats, bands, and entertainers moved along Solar St and West Kirkpatrick St.

PEACE Inc. joined dozens of local clubs, companies, non-profits, organizations, and sports teams to show support for our LGBTQ+ community. Among the participants were also Rep. John Mannion, Assembly Member Pamela Hunter, and Sen. Chris Ryan marching in the parade with other local politicians and dignitaries.

Larkin Lytle Honored as Big of the Year for Exceptional Mentorship

by Eddy Luce | Jun 21, 2025 | News and Information

During the Senior Awards presentation at Paul V. Moore High School, the Big of the Year Award was presented to Larkin, who consistently went above and beyond in demonstrating extraordinary mentorship in PEACE, Inc.’s school-based Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. Larkin spent time with 5 different Littles between April 2023 and June 2025. By developing positive relationships with the young students in the Central Square Central School District, her dedication and commitment will have a lasting effect on her hometown! Larkin also received a $500 scholarship from the Dimmock Fund. Congratulations and good luck with your future endeavors Larkin!

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