peace | PEACE, Inc.

Temporary Move for Westside Family Resource Center Services

by Eddy Luce | Jun 5, 2026 | News and Information

The Westside Family Resource Center at 200 Wyoming Street will be closed due to construction through December 2026. This is an exciting opportunity; we are looking forward to having a building that will help us serve the community better!

The last pantry day at Westside FRC will be May 14, 2026.

Starting May 15, 2026, services from Westside FRC will temporarily move to PEACE, Inc.’s Emma L. Johnston Southside Family Resource Center located at 136 Dr. MLK W, Syracuse, NY 13205.

Services may be limited during May while staff move and set up the new space. To help support the community, there will still be a fresh food giveaway at Southside FRC on May 28 until noon.

Starting June 8, most services will continue at the Southside location with little interruption. Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

From June to December, at the Southside FRC:

Fresh food giveaways will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month.
Pantry days will be held on the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Community members can still call Westside FRC by dialing 315-470-3352.

More information about hours, directions, and services will be shared on our website and social media pages.

Congratulations to the winners of our All Staff Decorating Contest at PEACE, Inc.!

by Eddy Luce | Dec 18, 2024 | News and Information

First Place: Sweet Gingerbread House by Laura Petitto
Second Place: Happy Little Tree Farm by the Sumner Head Start 2nd Floor Staff
Third Place: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire by Ray Garfield

A huge thank you to everyone who participated! It was festive, fun and so great to see our employees’ creativity.

Sweet Gingerbread House by Laura Petitto

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire by Ray Garfield

Happy Little Tree Farm by the Sumner Head Start 2nd Floor

PEACE, Inc. Executive Director Reads to Merrick Head Start Students

by peaceinc | Jan 16, 2024 | News and Information

Carolyn Brown, Executive Director of PEACE, Inc., took a break from her executive duties to visit Merrick Head Start and read to the children in room 211. Brown’s warm and engaging storytelling brought the pages of the book to life for the young listeners.

The children were captivated by Brown’s stories and her expressive reading. They giggled at the funny parts, gasped at the suspenseful moments, and cheered for the characters they came to love.

Brown’s visit was a reminder of the importance of early literacy and the power of storytelling. She hopes that her visit will inspire the children to develop a love of reading that will stay with them throughout their lives.

“It was such a joy to read to the children at Merrick Head Start,” Brown said. “Their enthusiasm and excitement were contagious. I hope that I was able to spark a love of reading in them that will last a lifetime.”

Executive director at Merrick Head Start

Celebration time!

by peaceinc | May 7, 2023 | News and Information

On May 3rd, our Head Start Program hosted a Literacy Event that was full of fun activities and delicious treats! Families made and ate ice cream; each child brought home a new book and supplies to enjoy!

2021 Annual Report / April – June 2022 Newsletter

by peaceinc | Jul 8, 2022 | News and Information, Newsletters

A message from the Executive Director

Dear Friends,

We began the year with vaccine clinics, tablet classes, and food delivery as many of our at-risk neighbors continued to isolate.

As we learn to live with COVID, we are welcoming clients back and prioritizing social interaction and peer support. The long isolation reinforced our belief in the importance of community building.

As always, we strive to treat all people with respect and kindness. PEACE, Inc. plans for the future recognizing that the most vulnerable among us need access to resources, freedom from systemic inequalities, and an opportunity to lead their lives with dignity.

Let me conclude with a huge thanks to our dedicated staff, board members, donors, volunteers, and funders. During this year of transition, we simply could not fulfill the agency’s mission without your help.

All the Best,
Carolyn D. Brown

Joseph “Joe” E. O’Hara Honored with Tree Dedication

by peaceinc | Jul 7, 2022 | News and Information

On 21 June 2022, former colleagues, friends, and families joined Joseph “Joe” E. O’Hara at Merrick Head Start to dedicate a tree in his honor. From 2001 to 2021, Joe served as PEACE, Inc.’s Executive Director. He left a profound legacy of program expansion, service innovation, and community responsiveness. Joe was especially proud of the agency’s stewardship of its many federal, state, and philanthropic funds.

At the dedication, PEACE, Inc. Board of Directors President David A. Scharoun shared, “If not for Joe, PEACE, Inc. would not be the place it is today…We certainly couldn’t have done it without you, and you have left your mark on the organization.”

In describing Joe’s selfless attitude and its effect on the community, current PEACE, Inc. Executive Director Carolyn D. Brown shared the thoughts of Nelson Henderson, “The true meaning of life is to plant a tree under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

A modest man, Joe passionately combated poverty and sought to help individuals and families escape it. These values defined his work prior to PEACE, Inc. at Onondaga County’s Social Services and Probation Departments, the New York State Fair as its Director, and Catholic Charities of Central New York. Joe also served as a Common Councilor for the City of Syracuse and participated in countless coalitions, including the Education and Human Development Committee of the City of Syracuse, the Providence College Board of Governors, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

In honor of Joe, a plaque lies below the tree that reads,

PEACE, Inc. plants this tree to honor Joseph “Joe” E. O’Hara for his 20 years leadership as the agency’s Executive Director and lifelong commitment toward improving the lives of all Syracuse and Central New York residents.