Community Action Month Highlights Local Efforts to Build Stronger Futures

Community Action Month Highlights Local Efforts to Build Stronger Futures

Each May, Community Action Month highlights the important role Community Action Agencies play in helping individuals and families move toward greater economic stability. PEACE, Inc. has proudly served as the Community Action Agency for Onondaga County since 1968, and we remain committed to supporting families as they work toward self-sufficiency. During this month, we join a nationwide effort to bring attention to the challenges many families face and to celebrate the progress and success that come from community-based support.

Through programs rooted in the Promise of Community Action, we connect individuals and families with resources that support education, employment, housing stability, and overall well-being. Our work is guided by the belief that people closest to the challenges should also have a voice in the solutions. By providing opportunities, guidance, and support, we help community members build skills and confidence to create positive change in their lives.

Community Action Month also reflects the long history of the national Community Action movement, which began as part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 during the War on Poverty. Today, we continue that mission by working alongside residents and partners to strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity. Each success story represents progress not only for individuals and families, but for the community as a whole.

Working Together to Better Serve Our Community

Working Together to Better Serve Our Community

PEACE, Inc. is always looking for opportunities to build partnerships and strengthen connections throughout the community. PEACE, Inc. and the Central New York Community Foundation hosted Syracuse Community Connections, a nonprofit speed networking event designed to bring local organizations together and encourage collaboration.

Nearly 80 human service professionals, nonprofit leaders, and community partners participated in the event. Many attendees met one another for the first time, exchanging information about their programs, services, and resources. The fast-paced format created opportunities for meaningful conversations and helped participants identify new ways to work together in support of community members.

Beyond making new connections, the event encouraged participants to think creatively about how organizations can collaborate to address challenges facing Central New York. By sharing knowledge, building relationships, and exploring partnership opportunities, attendees helped lay the groundwork for future initiatives that can better meet the needs of individuals and families throughout the region.

PEACE, Inc. and the Central New York Community Foundation are grateful to everyone who participated. Events like Syracuse Community Connections demonstrate the power of collaboration and highlight what is possible when organizations come together with a shared commitment to strengthening our community.

Strengthening Community Connections at SUNY ESF Engagement Fair

Strengthening Community Connections at SUNY ESF Engagement Fair

PEACE, Inc. was proud to join the SUNY ESF Community Engagement Fair, where students, faculty, and community members came together to explore and connect with valuable local resources. The event created a welcoming space for conversation and collaboration, helping attendees learn more about the many organizations working to support individuals and families across the region.

Following the fair, a community panel brought together nonprofit leaders for a thoughtful discussion on the impact of their work. Mayor Sharon Owens opened the conversation by sharing her perspective on the importance of strong community connections and the vital role nonprofit organizations play in strengthening those connections. Panelists included Todd Goehle of PEACE, Inc., Lisa Steinberg of Onondaga County Public Libraries, Kat Resanovic of Baltimore Woods Nature Center, Gwendolyn of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and Andy Mager of Neighbors of Onondaga Nation.

Together, the panelists explored how their organizations address community needs, build partnerships, and support long-term growth across the region. The discussion was engaging and insightful, highlighting how collaboration between nonprofits helps expand access to resources and strengthens the overall fabric of the community.

Empowering Residents Through Local Government Education

Empowering Residents Through Local Government Education

PEACE, Inc. was proud to support the first of three “Local Government 101” sessions, sponsored by SOFSA. The session offered community members an engaging introduction to how city, county, and state governments operate and make decisions that impact daily life.

Community leaders Tatiana Parker and Tylah Worrell provided a clear overview of governmental structures and processes, helping participants understand how local policies are developed and implemented. Following the presentation, SOFSA representatives shared practical strategies for residents to use this knowledge to advance food justice in their neighborhoods.

By combining education with actionable tools, the session empowered residents to become more informed, engaged, and active participants in shaping their community. PEACE, Inc. looks forward to supporting the remaining sessions and continuing to strengthen civic knowledge and advocacy in Central New York.

Community Comes Together at Second Meeting by FOCUS Greater Syracuse and PEACE, Inc.

Community Comes Together at Second Meeting by FOCUS Greater Syracuse and PEACE, Inc.

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. and PEACE, Inc. recently hosted the second of two convenings designed to give social and human service professionals and community members a space to connect, share, and build resiliency together. More than 70 participants drew inspiration from keynote speaker Qiana Williams and took part in “speed networking,” exchanging ideas about community barriers, available resources, and their hopes for the future. The event created a supportive environment where participants could openly discuss challenges while also celebrating successes within the community.

The convenings were made possible with funding from the Central New York Community Foundation. Attendees left energized and motivated to continue collaborating, with many expressing excitement about the partnerships and new connections formed. Similar convenings are planned for the upcoming year, offering more opportunities for community members and professionals to learn from one another and strengthen the support network across the region.

PEACE, Inc. scheduled to present on National Webinar

PEACE, Inc. scheduled to present on National Webinar

On October 16, PEACE, Inc. VP of Operations and Strategy Todd Goehle will present with the Kresge Foundation  about BOOST, or Boosting Opportunities for Social and Economic Mobility for Families. Through community college/human service nonprofit pathways, BOOST used whole family approaches, career pathways, and racial equity principles to offer low-income households with holistic solutions. You can register for this national webinar hosted by the National Community Action Partnership through the link tinyurl.com/ncapboost

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