PEACE Inc | PEACE, Inc.

A Hungry Caterpillar Adventure at Head Start

by Angel Belford | Apr 7, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start recently hosted a fun-filled evening for their annual Same Book Event, bringing families together to celebrate a shared love of reading. This year’s theme, The Hungry Caterpillar, inspired a variety of hands-on activities and creative crafts that engaged children and encouraged learning through play.

Families enjoyed a welcoming environment where they could read, create, and connect with one another. The event provided meaningful opportunities for children to explore literacy in a fun and interactive way while strengthening the connection between home and school.

The evening also included a special visit from Congressman John W. Mannion, who greeted staff, children, and parents and took time to explore the activities. He also spoke with students from Liverpool High School, adding to the excitement and making the event even more memorable for everyone involved.

Events like the Same Book Event highlight the importance of early literacy and family engagement in a child’s development. By bringing families, educators, and community members together, PEACE, Inc. continues to create meaningful experiences that support learning, strengthen connections, and inspire a lifelong love of reading.

To learn more about the Head Start Program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Paws and Paint: Bright Futures Creates Pet Portraits

by Angel Belford | Apr 1, 2026 | News and Information

The Bright Futures After School Group from the County South Family Resource Center had a creative and engaging experience with their latest project, painting “Pet Portraits.” Families shared photos of their children’s favorite pets, giving students the opportunity to turn meaningful memories into works of art.

Each young artist worked carefully to capture their pet’s unique personality on canvas. From playful dogs to cozy cats, the paintings were filled with color, creativity, and attention to detail. The activity encouraged self-expression while helping students build confidence in their artistic abilities.

Projects like this highlight the importance of creativity in youth development. By connecting art with personal experiences, students are able to express themselves, strengthen emotional connections, and celebrate the special bonds they share with their pets.

Learn more about the County South Family Resource Center: peace-caa.org/programs/frc/csfrc/

Community Partnership Drives Investment in Early Childhood Programs

by Angel Belford | Apr 1, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. proudly participated in the kickoff of Micron Technology’s Syracuse-area Community Week, marking an exciting moment for investment and partnership in our region. During the event, Micron announced $35 million in local investments, including a $200,000 award to support PEACE, Inc.’s Early Childhood Career Pathways Program (ECCPP).

Through a strong partnership with Child Care Solutions, ECCPP continues to make a meaningful impact in Onondaga County. The program helps expand access to quality child care by training early childhood professionals and supporting individuals who are working to open licensed home family daycares. These efforts not only create new child care slots but also strengthen the local workforce.

This investment reflects a shared commitment to building a stronger, more supportive community. By increasing access to child care and creating career pathways, ECCPP helps individuals move toward self-sufficiency while meeting a critical need for families across the region.

For more about Micron’s investments, visit:
https://buff.ly/DLflbJe

For more about Micron’s Syracuse-area Community Week, visit:
https://buff.ly/dG7qnv4

Empowering Youth to See Their ‘Bright Futures’

by Angel Belford | Mar 24, 2026 | News and Information

The Bright Futures After School Group from the County South Family Resource Center recently explored creativity and self-expression through a meaningful “Who I Am” collage activity. Students began by using a light source to create shadows of their profiles, which were then traced and carefully cut out.

From there, each student filled their silhouette with images, colors, and words that represent their identity, interests, and goals. This hands-on project encouraged youth to reflect on who they are while building confidence and expressing themselves in a creative way.

Activities like this play an important role in helping young people develop a strong sense of self and purpose. At PEACE, Inc., we are proud to support our youth as they grow, discover their strengths, and move toward bright and limitless futures.

To learn more about the Bright Futures after school program visit: www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/csfrc/

Decked Out in Green at County West Family Resource Center

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

Staff and volunteers at the PEACE, Inc. County West Family Resource Center came together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with plenty of green and even more community spirit. The team showed off their festive attire while enjoying time together and embracing the holiday.

The celebration was filled with smiles, laughter, and a shared sense of connection. Moments like these highlight the strong relationships among staff and volunteers and the positive, welcoming environment they create each day for the community they serve.

To learn more about the Family Resource Centers visit: www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/

Bigs and Littles Make Rainbows

by Angel Belford | Mar 17, 2026 | News and Information

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the Big Brothers Big Sisters school-based program at Central Square Central School District celebrated with a fun, hands-on activity. Bigs from Paul V. Moore High School teamed up with their Littles from Millard Hawk Elementary School to create edible treats, following the rainbow all the way to the pot of gold.

The activity was both festive and engaging, allowing Bigs and Littles to spend quality time together while practicing teamwork, creativity, and friendship. It was a sweet and memorable day that highlighted the joy and connection mentoring can bring to students of all ages.

To learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters visit: www.peace-caa.org/programs/bbbs/

Blooming with Creativity in Roxboro

by Angel Belford | Mar 16, 2026 | News and Information

Roxboro Head Start, Room 106 has been bringing learning to life by exploring the world of plants through a creative dramatic play flower shop and engaging classroom activities. Students used their imaginations as they stepped into different roles, practicing skills like working the register, taking orders, building bouquets, and gardening.

Through these hands-on experiences, children developed important social and communication skills while learning about plants and how they grow. The use of props and role-playing encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity in a fun and meaningful way.

Activities like this highlight how play-based learning helps children grow academically and socially, making the classroom a place where learning is both exciting and memorable.

To learn more about the Head Start program visit: www.peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

Egg-citment at the Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center

by Angel Belford | Mar 14, 2026 | News and Information

The youth group at the Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center had an egg-citing time celebrating together! Staff prepared giant gift eggs filled with fun surprises, and the children eagerly searched the community room to find them.

Inside the eggs, students discovered fidgets, tasty snacks, and even some silly string, adding extra excitement to the hunt. The event ended with laughter and a playful silly string fight, creating memories that the youth will remember for a long time.

Events like this highlight the importance of community, creativity, and fun in supporting youth engagement and building strong connections among participants and staff.

Learn more about the Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center here: www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/esfrc/

Seniors Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Festive Lunch

by Angel Belford | Mar 13, 2026 | News and Information

Seniors gathered at the Camillus Senior Center for a festive and welcoming St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon, hosted by the PEACE, Inc. Senior Nutrition Program. The event brought community members together to enjoy a warm meal, good company, and a celebration of the holiday.

Guests were treated to a delicious Irish-inspired menu featuring Beef and Guinness stew, smashed potatoes with chives, steamed cabbage and baby carrots, rye bread, and a sweet serving of coffee cake. The meal provided not only nourishment but also an opportunity for seniors to connect, share stories, and enjoy time together in a friendly and supportive environment.

Events like this highlight the importance of the Senior Nutrition Program in promoting both health and social connection. With great food, laughter, and meaningful conversation, the luncheon was a wonderful reminder of how community gatherings can bring people together and brighten the day.

To learn more about the PEACE, Inc. Senior Nutrition Program, visit: https://peace-caa.org/senior-nutrition

Healthy Food Exploration at Head Start

by Angel Belford | Mar 12, 2026 | News and Information

Head Start students at Sumner and Genesee are building healthy habits through hands-on learning experiences that engage their curiosity and senses. In Sumner Head Start, Room 107, children explored raw collard greens using their five senses. They observed the color and texture, felt the leaves, smelled them, and even listened to the sounds they made. Later, during lunch, students compared their findings with cooked collard greens and recorded their observations on a class graph, turning the experience into both a science and nutrition lesson. A playful moment during centers even included a zebra puppet joining in to “taste” the greens, adding creativity and fun to the activity.

At Genesee Head Start, Room 4, students have been actively participating in the Eat Well Play Hard program, where they are learning about healthy foods through interactive lessons. As part of the program, children had the opportunity to try a variety of salad ingredients, including snap peas, and discuss which foods they liked and which they did not. These taste-testing experiences encourage children to try new foods while building awareness of healthy choices.

Together, these activities highlight how Head Start classrooms create meaningful learning opportunities that connect nutrition, exploration, and play. By engaging children in hands-on experiences, students not only learn about healthy foods but also build confidence, curiosity, and lifelong habits that support their well-being.

Learn more about the Head Start program by visiting: www.peace-caa.org/programs/hs/