The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation (“Cabrini Foundation”) awarded PEACE, Inc. $75,000 for the Family Reentry Program.

 Syracuse, New York, October 2022 – PEACE, Inc. and its Family Services Department recently received a $75,000 grant to continue its Family Reentry Program. The grant is awarded as part of the Foundation’s 2022 Statewide Grants Program to support programs that “meet the unmet healthcare and healthcare related needs of individuals, families, and communities throughout New York State.”

Housed within the agency’s Family Services Department, the Family Reentry Program provides 1:1 case management services to previously incarcerated individuals and their families by helping them meet housing, education, health, work, finance/budgeting, substance abuse, and identification (such as obtaining a Driver’s License) goals. The program works heavily with the agency’s Fatherhood Initiative to connect participants to parenting and relationship services which assist families in reunification.

In 2019, 788 people in Onondaga County were incarcerated per 100,000 residents ages 15-64, significantly higher than the New York State rate. After release, previously incarcerated individuals face many challenges reentering their communities, reuniting with their families, and stabilizing their personal and professional lives. Families and children are also impacted by these barriers, as studies show that children of incarcerated parents are 6x more likely to be incarcerated themselves; have higher rates of certain mental health issues; and have lower incomes. Additionally, incarceration strains family relationships, dynamics, and stability.

Carolyn D. Brown, Executive Director of PEACE, Inc., says, “I want to thank the Cabrini Foundation for their generous support of the agency’s Reentry Program. Recently incarcerated individuals and their families face unique barriers to self-sufficiency and we are grateful for the opportunity to serve this vulnerable population.” Through a holistic, family centered approach that involves goal setting and case management, the Family Reentry Program will assist 40 previously incarcerated individuals in 2022-2023 – empowering individuals to smoothly reenter their communities while gaining personal, professional and family stability.

For more about PEACE, Inc.’s Family Services Department, visit https://www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/

About PEACE, Inc.’s Department of Family Services

Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc. is a federal designated Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves nearly 12,000 clients in Syracuse, Onondaga County and portions of Oswego County. The Family Servces Department houses six Family Resource Centers (FRCs) throughout Onondaga County, three of which are in the City of Syracuse. FRC programs include emergency assistance, crisis intervention, advocacy, supportive services, employment support, youth activities, education and family development partnerships. Family Services is one of 9 primary programs offered by PEACE, Inc., including Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Family Services (FRCs), Head Start and Early Head Start (HS, EHS), Foster Grandparent Program, Free Tax Preparation (EITC), Eastwood Community Center, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Support Services. For more information, visit www.peace-caa.org

Media Contact

Mary Beth Welch, Director
PEACE, Inc. Family Services
Email: Marybeth.welch@peace-caa.org
Phone: 315-634-3716

Robin Fish has been with our Energy & Housing Services Department since 2004, and was previously awarded Employee of the Month in May 2006. She is currently the Program Manager for several programs, including the HEAP Cooling Program which provides air conditioners for low-income residents of Onondaga and Oswego County. In 2021 this program received 110 referrals and installed 100 units, but with changes in the eligibility requirements this year those figures more than quadrupled to 441 referrals and 415 units! During this rapid expansion, Robin kept up with processing the referrals, coordinating the installations and invoicing counties for installed units, all while continuing to schedule audits and coordinate jobs for other programs, and also occasionally filling in to process intakes.

Congratulations to Robin Fish, for being honored as Employee of the Month for a second time!

Photo: Employee of the Month Robin Fish with (L to R) DEHS Director Sally Ward and Executive Director Carolyn Brown.

To Our Community:

I wish to thank you for taking the time to review the PEACE, Inc. Head Start / Early Head Start Annual Report.

PEACE, Inc. Head Start has been servicing families in Onondaga County since 1968 and we at PEACE, Inc. are extremely proud to be a part of this association. Our Head Start program has been providing services to pregnant women, children, and their families for over 50 years, and currently provides services to over 1,000 children and families.

PEACE, Inc. Head Start / Early Head Start mission is to inspire personal growth and empower families, children and staff to reach their maximum potential.

Head Start recognizes that parents are the primary educators of their children and provide many services to support the learning and development of the children in our care. These comprehensive services are provided at no cost to families.

We welcome all who give their time and talents so generously and encourage each parent / guardian to support the Head Start / Early Head Start program.

We hope this report informs you of the efforts we are endeavoring to accomplish to enrich our community / and to improve the quality of life for our children.

Best Wishes,
Rebeccah L. Heberle
Director
PEACE, Inc. Head Start / Early Head Start