PEACE Inc | PEACE, Inc.

Celebrating Camillus Senior Center Volunteers

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

The PEACE, Inc. Senior Nutrition Program recently visited the Camillus Senior Center to recognize and thank the dedicated volunteers who help keep the center running smoothly and support daily operations for older adults in the community.

Guests gathered for a Tuscany-themed lunch featuring spaghetti and meatballs, with sparkling juice served at each table. The event created a welcoming space for connection, conversation, and shared appreciation among participants. We were also joined by County Legislator Ken Bush Jr. and Councilor Chris Cesta, who both expressed gratitude for the volunteers’ ongoing commitment. Councilor Chris Cesta also led an engaging session focused on the importance of using and caring for the right tools in the kitchen, adding a practical learning component to the day.

We are grateful for the time, care, and dedication our volunteers bring to PEACE, Inc. each day. Their support strengthens our programs and helps create meaningful moments like this, where community connection, learning, and appreciation come together.

To learn about the Senior Nutrition Program, or to find locations, visit: peace-caa.org/programs/senior-nutrition/

Honoring Our Home Visiting Team During National Recognition Week

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

Celebrating Our Home Visiting Heroes!

April 20–24 marks National Home Visiting Week, a time to honor the dedicated professionals who bring the Head Start mission directly to the front doors of our community.

Our home visiting team here at PEACE is a powerhouse of multidisciplinary expertise. Comprised of teachers, nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals, these individuals consistently go above and beyond the call of duty. While many educators work within four walls, our team finds their “classrooms” at kitchen tables and on living room floors. They travel across the entire county to meet families where they are, literally and figuratively.

Through their work, language, literacy, math, and science skills are built in the heart of the home. These voluntary, evidence-based services do more than just teach; they are a lifeline for maternal and infant health, child development, and the strengthening of family bonds during a child’s most critical early years.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Carrie, Kim, Eileen, Jessica, Sherry, and Beth for the wonderful service and unwavering heart they provide to our families every day.

Please join us in celebrating these Home Visiting Heroes for their tireless commitment to our community!

To learn more about the Home-Based program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/

PEACE, Inc. Free Tax Prep Team Celebrates End of Tax Season

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

The PEACE, Inc. Free Tax Prep Team recently celebrated Tax Day, marking the close of another successful tax season serving the community. Throughout the season, the team worked closely with individuals and families to help them file accurate returns and access important tax credits.

While the busy season has come to an end, support does not stop here. The Free Tax Prep Team remains available year-round to answer questions, provide guidance, and assist community members as financial needs arise.

Programs like Free Tax Prep help individuals build confidence in managing their finances while ensuring they receive the resources they are entitled to. Ongoing access to support strengthens financial stability and empowers community members to plan for the future.

The PEACE, Inc. Free Tax Prep Program will soon be relocating from the Eastside Business Center at 1201 E. Fayette Street to the PEACE, Inc. Department of Energy and Housing building at 717 Erie Boulevard West. This move will allow the program to continue serving community members in a new space while maintaining the same trusted support. All phone numbers will remain the same, ensuring continued easy access for individuals and families seeking assistance.

For more details on the Free Tax Prep program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/taxes/

County South Family Resource Center Youth Group Welcomes Spring with Creative Project

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

The Bright Futures youth group at the County South Family Resource Center in Tully welcomed the season with a creative, hands-on activity, making tin can wind chimes inspired by spring. The project brought energy and excitement as youth explored their artistic side in a fun and engaging setting.

Participants designed and assembled their own wind chimes, using a variety of materials to create unique pieces that reflected their personalities. The activity encouraged creativity while also helping youth develop fine motor skills and problem-solving abilities. Just as important, it gave them time to connect, collaborate, and enjoy being part of a supportive group.

Programs like Bright Futures provide a positive space where youth can build confidence, learn new skills, and express themselves freely. Through activities like this, participants strengthen connections with one another while continuing to grow in a welcoming community environment.

To learn more about the Bright Futures Youth Group or the County South Family Resource Center visit: peace-caa.org/programs/frc/csfrc/

Interactive Learning Sparks Curiosity and Creativity

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

PEACE, Inc. Head Start Preschool and Early Head Start recently hosted another Same Book Event at the Baldwinsville Jordan-Elbridge Head Start location, welcoming families for an evening of story, discovery, and hands-on fun centered around early literacy. Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the event turned a familiar story into an interactive experience where children and caregivers could learn, play, and explore together.

Families rotated through a variety of engaging activity stations that brought the story to life in creative ways. Children enjoyed themed crafts, shared in read-aloud moments, took part in a bug hunt, and visited examination stations where they carefully observed and explored items connected to the story. Each activity invited curiosity and conversation, giving children space to learn through doing while families joined in the experience.

The Same Book Event continues to be a meaningful way to strengthen early literacy skills while building strong home-to-school connections. Through shared stories and hands-on learning, PEACE, Inc. helps children grow their confidence, spark their imagination, and build a lifelong excitement for reading.

Early Learners Discover Emotional Awareness Through Theater Experience

by Angel Belford | Apr 10, 2026 | News and Information

PEACE, Inc. Sumner Head Start recently welcomed Syracuse Stage for an engaging and interactive performance of “Tiny Martians, Big Emotions.” The visit brought storytelling and theater directly into the classroom, creating a meaningful learning experience for our UPK students.

During the performance, students joined a pair of curious Martians as they discovered emotions for the very first time. With support from the children, the characters explored feelings such as excitement, frustration, and joy, while learning how colors and textures can help express different moods. The students were active participants throughout the story, helping guide the Martians as they navigated their new emotional world.

This creative experience supported early emotional learning by showing children that feelings are natural and can be expressed in many ways. It also reinforced the importance of empathy, communication, and supporting one another. Through partnerships like this, Sumner Head Start continues to create opportunities that help young learners grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

If you would like to learn more about the Head Start Program visit: peace-caa.org/programs/hs/
To learn about the “Tiny Martians, Big Emotions” preformance visit: www.syracusestage.org/engage

St. Leo’s and PEACE, Inc. Expand Fresh Food Access

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

St. Leo’s Church partners with the Food Bank of Central New York to provide a free fresh food distribution for community members on the first Tuesday of each month. This important effort helps ensure families have access to nutritious food, including fresh produce.

For individuals who qualify but are unable to travel to the distribution site, the PEACE, Inc. County South Family Resource Center provides home delivery support. With the help of dedicated volunteers, fresh food is brought directly to participants’ homes, helping remove barriers to access.

Family Advocate Catie Waite recently joined volunteers Pete Reppenhagen and Del Wayne to help unload the delivery truck and prepare food for distribution. Their teamwork helps ensure community members receive the support they need with dignity and care.

This collaboration highlights the importance of community partnerships in strengthening food access and supporting family well-being.

If you need to find a food pantry visit: peace-caa.org/programs/frc/food-pantries/

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/

Bigs and Littles Reach New Heights Together

by Angel Belford | Apr 4, 2026 | News and Information

“The only good reason to climb is to improve yourself.”

PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, Littles and their Bigs recently spent an afternoon at Central Rock Gym Syracuse, where they challenged themselves to reach new heights through rock climbing.

Participants worked together to build confidence, practice trust, and support one another on the wall. With encouragement from their Bigs, Littles learned the importance of steady progress, perseverance, and knowing someone is there to support them along the way.

Experiences like this reflect the heart of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. They help youth grow confidence, strengthen relationships, and discover what they can achieve with guidance and support.

Want to become part of the program? peace-caa.org/programs/bbbs/

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/