Honor PEACE Inc.'s 50 Years

Senate Resolution No. 5390 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO CELEBRATING the 50th Anniversary of People's Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those esteemed organizations within our midst whose work and civic endeavors have enhanced the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of People's Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. (PEACE, Inc.); and WHEREAS, PEACE, Inc. is a non-profit community-based organization with the mission of helping people realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient; and WHEREAS, PEACE, Inc. provides a continuum of services for the entire family from infants to the elderly, and the majority of individuals served have incomes placing them at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines; and WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc., Onondaga County's federally designated Community Action Agency, was founded in response to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964; and WHEREAS, As part of the network of Community Action Agencies, PEACE, Inc. strengthens families, improves the conditions in which people live, and develops partnerships with other organizations, businesses, and individuals to support these efforts; and WHEREAS, Through its nine programs, PEACE, Inc. offers a wide variety of services for people of all ages at more than 50 locations around Onondaga County; these programs include: the Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Energy and Housing Services, Family Resource Centers, the Foster Grandparent Program, Free Tax Prep, Head Start / Early Head Start, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Supports; and WHEREAS, The Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center, named after the late father of State Senator John A. DeFrancisco, offers residents of the Eastwood neighborhood in Syracuse, particularly seniors, opportunities to socialize, volunteer, learn, and contribute to their community; activities at the center include senior nutrition lunches, wellness programs, dancing, card games, day trips, and celebrations, to name a few; and WHEREAS, The Big Brothers Big Sisters program at PEACE, Inc. improves the lives of school-aged children through a variety of mentoring programs, including school-based, workplace and one-to-one mentoring; and WHEREAS, The energy burden is reduced on PEACE, Inc.'s clients in Onondaga and Oswego County through its Energy and Housing Services program, by providing cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions to households with low and moderate incomes; and WHEREAS, The Family Resource Centers at PEACE, Inc. are safe, secure neighborhood hubs where trained staff provide emergency assistance, advocacy, supportive services, employment support, youth activities and family development to low-income individuals; and WHEREAS, PEACE, Inc.'s Foster Grandparent program provides senior citizens the opportunity to share their time and talents mentoring at-risk children in the community; and WHEREAS, In its Free Tax Prep program, PEACE, Inc. trains and supports volunteers who prepare and e-file tax returns for individuals so they can receive the largest refund possible and access all eligible tax credits; and WHEREAS, The Head Start and Early Head Start programs prepare children for kindergarten by offering a comprehensive, family-focused, early childhood education program that serves pregnant women and children from birth to five years old; and WHEREAS, The Senior Nutrition program at PEACE, Inc. provides healthy meals to seniors using nutritious, local and fresh ingredients; seniors gather together at dining rooms throughout the county to eat together, share stories, and build friendships; and WHEREAS, The Senior Supports program at PEACE, Inc. helps to connect isolated and homebound senior citizens to the services they need to live independently and remain in their own homes; and WHEREAS, With a staff of about 375 employees, and over 3,000 volunteers, PEACE, Inc. helps more than 10,000 people become more independent, have a stake in their own community, and achieve their potential; and WHEREAS, The character of life in Central New York has been ably served and uniquely enriched for the past 50 years through the dedication and benevolent concern of PEACE, Inc.; and WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Executive Director Joseph E. O'Hara, PEACE, Inc., in every capacity in which it has served, has left a permanent mark on the Central New York community, changing lives by teaching people how to help themselves and support those around them; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of People's Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc.; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Joseph E. O'Hara, Executive Director of PEACE, Inc.