PEACE Inc | PEACE, Inc.

Community Care in Action: Broadview Donates Diapers to Support Diaper Bank

by Angel Belford | Jul 31, 2026 | News and Information

Families with young children face many everyday expenses, and diapers are an important necessity that can place an added strain on household budgets. On Friday, July 31st, PEACE, Inc. was grateful to receive a generous donation from Broadview Federal Credit Union through its “Diaper Days of Summer” campaign.

The donation included four carloads of diapers delivered to the Sumner Head Start site, providing valuable support to children and families in the program. These essential supplies will help families access resources they need while caring for their young children.

Thank you, Broadview Federal Credit Union, for your continued generosity and commitment to supporting the community. Partnerships like this help strengthen families and allow PEACE, Inc. to continue providing meaningful support to those who need it most.

Senior Nutrition Lunch at the Market Returns for the Summer

by Angel Belford | Jul 30, 2026 | News and Information

As July comes to a close, PEACE, Inc., Senior Nutrition Program, in partnership with the Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services – Office for Aging and the CNY Regional Market, is celebrating a successful first month of the Senior Nutrition Lunch at the Market. During the first four Thursday lunches of the six-week series, 350 nutritious meals were served to older adults, providing not only healthy food but also an opportunity to enjoy the summer season together.

Each week, PEACE, Inc. staff volunteers their time to welcome guests, serve meals, and build meaningful connections with the seniors who attend. While the Senior Nutrition Program provides meals year-round at 30 dining locations across Onondaga County, the Lunch at the Market series offers a unique seasonal opportunity for older adults to enjoy a meal in the vibrant setting of the CNY Regional Market.

Beyond the meal itself, the weekly lunches continue to strengthen friendships and reduce social isolation by creating a welcoming space where older adults can connect with one another. These gatherings reflect PEACE, Inc.’s ongoing commitment to helping older adults remain healthy, active, and engaged in their communities.

With two lunches still to come on August 6 and August 13, PEACE, Inc. is excited to continue the momentum built throughout July and looks forward to welcoming even more seniors for the final weeks of this year’s summer tradition.

PEACE, Inc. extends its sincere thanks to the CNY Regional Market and the Onondaga County Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services for their continued partnership and support. Together, these organizations are making a lasting difference by providing nutritious meals, fostering meaningful connections, and creating welcoming opportunities for older adults throughout Onondaga County.

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

Exploring New Challenges at Orenda Springs

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

Children from the OPWDD After School Program at the PEACE, Inc. Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center recently spent an exciting day at Orenda Springs Experiential Learning Center. The visit gave participants the opportunity to challenge themselves through a variety of outdoor adventure activities, including obstacle courses and an exhilarating ride down the zipline.

Throughout the day, the children encouraged one another as they climbed, balanced, and worked their way through each challenge. Many of the activities pushed them beyond their comfort zones, giving them the chance to try something new in a supportive and encouraging environment. Their excitement and sense of accomplishment grew with every obstacle they completed, making the experience both fun and rewarding.

Experiences like these help children build confidence, resilience, and trust in their own abilities while creating lasting memories with their peers. For many participants, the trip also provided the opportunity to enjoy activities they may not otherwise have the chance to experience, reinforcing the value of expanding horizons through positive, hands-on learning and adventure.

Growing Through Outdoor Experiences

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

Children participating in the PEACE, Inc. Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center’s Let Me Be Great Summer Program enjoyed a beautiful day at Green Lakes State Park, where they had the opportunity to learn how to kayak while exploring the park’s scenic waters.

With guidance and encouragement, participants practiced paddling, built their confidence on the water, and experienced the excitement of trying something new. The outing also gave them the chance to enjoy the outdoors, work together, and create lasting memories with friends.

Experiences like this are an important part of the Let Me Be Great Summer Program. By introducing children to new activities and encouraging them to step outside their comfort zones, the program helps foster confidence, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for the many recreational opportunities available throughout our community.

Supporting Families Through Community Kindness

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

Strong community partnerships help create meaningful opportunities to support local families, and a recent collaboration between the PEACE, Inc. Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center and Team Halo, part of the Synergy! Program at Onondaga Community College, is a wonderful example of that commitment.

Working together, PEACE, Inc. and Team Halo welcomed women and children from across the community for a special event that offered essential items, valuable resources, and a warm, welcoming environment. Families were able to receive needed supplies, enjoy special treats, and connect with services designed to support their well-being.

The partnership highlighted the impact that can be made when community organizations and dedicated volunteers come together with a shared purpose. PEACE, Inc. is grateful to Team Halo for their generosity, compassion, and commitment to giving back. Together, this collaboration helped create a positive experience for local families and strengthened the connections that make our community thrive.

Canoes, Campfires, and Curious Minds

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

Participants in the Girls Circle Group at the PEACE, Inc. Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center recently spent an exciting day at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center, where they embraced the outdoors through a variety of fun and educational activities. The trip encouraged exploration, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for nature.

Throughout the day, the girls enjoyed canoeing, making s’mores, spotting turtles, and participating in hands-on learning experiences. Each activity offered opportunities to build new skills, gain confidence, and strengthen friendships while enjoying the beauty of the natural environment. The combination of adventure and education made the outing both meaningful and memorable.

Experiences like these help young people develop confidence, curiosity, and strong connections with one another. By providing opportunities to learn outside the classroom, the Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center continues to support youth as they discover new interests, build lifelong skills, and create lasting memories.

Summer Adventures That Spark Imagination

by Angel Belford | Jul 15, 2026 | News and Information

The County South Family Resource Center Summer Youth Group recently visited Stone Quarry Art Park in Cazenovia for a day of creativity, exploration, and outdoor adventure. Surrounded by beautiful summer weather, the group wandered the park’s scenic trails while discovering the many unique sculptures thoughtfully placed throughout the landscape.

As they explored, participants admired the artwork, took in the natural beauty of the park, and experienced art in an interactive setting. The creative sculptures sparked curiosity and imagination, with several becoming favorite stops for fun photos and memorable moments. The combination of art and nature encouraged youth to see the outdoors through a new perspective while enjoying time together.

Experiences like this help young people build creativity, confidence, and an appreciation for the world around them. Through opportunities to explore new places and engage with art in meaningful ways, the County South Family Resource Center Summer Youth Group continues to inspire learning, friendship, and lasting memories.

Summer Adventures Start at Fair Haven State Park

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

The Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center’s Let Me Be Great Summer Program is back for another exciting season, and participants are already making lasting memories. The first adventure of the summer took the group to Fair Haven State Park, where the children enjoyed a refreshing day outdoors surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Participants spent the day cooling off in the lake, splashing in the water, and enjoying time together in the summer sunshine. The trip gave children the opportunity to explore a new environment, stay active, and build friendships while having fun in a safe and supportive setting.

This visit is just the first of many exciting experiences planned throughout the summer. Through educational outings, recreational activities, and opportunities to explore the community, the Let Me Be Great Summer Program helps young people develop confidence, create meaningful connections, and discover new interests while making memories that will last long after summer ends.

Generations Come Together for a Day at Letchworth State Park

by Angel Belford | Jul 9, 2026 | News and Information

The Viola G. Chisholm Eastside Family Resource Center’s Let Me Be Great Summer Program joined together with the Golden Age Group for a fun-filled trip to Letchworth State Park. This special outing gave participants of all ages the opportunity to spend time together, enjoy the outdoors, and experience the beauty of one of New York’s most scenic parks.

Throughout the day, both groups enjoyed breathtaking views, a delicious BBQ, and a friendly game of kickball. The children had the chance to run, play, and explore while building friendships and making memories with their peers. Members of the Golden Age Group helped prepare the meal, supported the activities, and cheered on the children as they enjoyed their time together.

The trip was a wonderful example of the positive connections that can be created when generations come together. By sharing experiences, stories, and moments of fun, youth and seniors were able to learn from one another and strengthen their sense of community. Experiences like these help children grow in confidence while creating meaningful relationships that extend beyond the day’s activities.

PEACE, Inc. receives a grant from Local Arby’s to support Onondaga’s kids

by Eddy Luce | Jul 7, 2026 | News and Information

The Arby’s Foundation has elected to support PEACE, Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) program this year with a generous $30,000 grant. Those funds will play a pivotal role in BBBS’s work fostering meaningful relationships between Bigs and Littles within the program, specifically by supporting Mentor Managers who recruit, train, and support Bigs. This support from Arby’s Foundation for PEACE, Inc.’s BBBS program helps ensure that vulnerable Onondaga and Oswego County Littles will continue to receive mentorship and guidance from a positive role model in the form of a caring Big.

About the Arby’s Foundation

The Arby’s Foundation, the independent charitable arm of Arby’s, helps America’s kids dream big and pursue their dreams with confidence. Building on a philanthropic heritage that has contributed more than $100 million to youth-related causes since its inception in 1986, the Arby’s Foundation is committed to helping kids build, expand, and pursue their dreams as we focus our efforts on childhood hunger, youth leadership, and career readiness initiatives. The Arby’s Foundation is part of the Inspire Brands Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information, visit www.foundation.arbys.com.

About PEACE, Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters

Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc. is a federal designated Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves nearly 10,000 clients in Syracuse, Onondaga County, and portions of Oswego County. With a guiding principle of “Maximum Feasible Participation,” or the concept that those who are served by the CAA must also be involved with the organization’s decision-making processes, the agency pursues a mission to “help people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.” It does so through 9 antipoverty services: Free Tax Prep, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Family Services (FRCs), Head Start and Early Head Start (HS, EHS), its Department of Energy and Housing, Foster Grandparents, Eastwood Community Center, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Support Services. For more information, visit www.peace-caa.org.

Since its founding in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) has been recognized as the nation’s preeminent 1-to-1 mentorship program. Research shows that 1-to-1 mentoring improves a child’s confidence, academic performance, and decision-making. Through Community- and School-based mentoring, PEACE, Inc.’s BBBS branch continues this important work by matching kids (Littles) with mentors (Bigs) in Onondaga County and parts of Oswego County.

Media Contact
Elizabeth O’Hara, Director
PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters
Email: bohara@peace-caa.org
Phone: 315-470-3369 ext. 362