Erin Hess has been a lead teacher at our Head Start site in Lafayette since September 2021. She was chosen for this month’s award because of the dedication to excellence that she consistently demonstrates as a child development professional, and for always being positive and helpful toward her co-workers.
Congratulations to Erin Hess, our Employee of the Month for February!
Photo: Employee of the Month Erin Hess, with Lafayette Head Start Site Supervisor Kelly Tucciarone and Executive Director Carolyn Brown.
December 21, 2021. Rochester, N.Y. – The Summit Federal Credit Union (The Summit) today announced a three-year, $30,000 commitment to Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.
$10,000 will be dispersed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara & the Southern Tier; and Peace, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central New York over the next three years ($4,000 in 2021, $3,000 in 2022 and 2023) to assist in supporting and creating programs for disadvantaged youth. The financial gift across all three organizations will total $30,000.
Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation’s largest donor and volunteer-supported mentoring network. For over 100 years, the organization has made meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages five through adulthood developing positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people and their communities. The announcement of the partnership with The Summit comes just before National Mentoring Month in January.
The Summit’s President and CEO, Laurie Baker is passionate about Big Brothers Big Sisters and the mentorship opportunities that it provides. “The Summit is committed to making a difference in the communities that we serve,” she commented. “By partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, we are truly igniting the promise of youth, helping to equip them with the tools that they will need to lead successful lives and be positive, active members of their communities.”
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester is delighted by The Summit’s incredible generosity,” commented Dorothy Kelley, Development Officer, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Rochester. “This 3-year gift, totaling $10,000 will make a profound impact by providing meaningful mentoring matches for youth in our community.”
“We are proud to partner with The Summit Federal Credit Union to help us ignite the power and promise of children in our community through our one-to-one mentoring program,” said Thomas J. Guagliardo, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Erie, Niagara and the Southern Tier. “The Summit’s commitment to mentoring and generous investment in Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across their footprint, means that more children in these communities will achieve their full potential with the support of a Big Brother or Big Sister.”
“This gift from The Summit will deeply touch the lives of the Littles in our program as well as their families,” said John F. Bruzdzinski, Director, PEACE Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Syracuse. “Not only do we provide mentoring services for these individuals, most of which come from disadvantaged circumstances, but we also occasionally provide them with hot meals, snacks, school supplies, clothing and personal hygiene products. We also engage them in activities and schedule events in which they can attend and have a good time. The Summit’s compassion and generosity helps make all of this possible. Thank you, so much for caring about our PEACE Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters program and the CNY community.”
Attached Photo: Laurie Baker, The Summit’s President and CEO; Big Brother Basil Barrett; Little Brother Chanze Hardgers; Twanda Christensen, The Summit’s Vice-President of Marketing and Community Engagement.
For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact
Dawn Kellogg, Public Relations and Community Engagement Specialist at: DKellogg@summitfcu.org or (585) 453-7058.
ABOUT THE SUMMIT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Founded in 1941, The Summit Federal Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned, full-service financial cooperative. With over $1 billion in assets, The Summit has over 230 employees and provides a full range of affordable financial products and services to over 88,000 active members in the Finger Lakes Region and Central and Western New York.
The Summit is dedicated to the rich diversity of the communities that they serve. You will regularly see their staff out and about in the community supporting other not-for-profit organizations that share their mission and values.
Brown is the first female Executive Director to lead People’s Equal Action and Community Effort, Inc. (PEACE, Inc.)
Syracuse, New York, December 13, 2021 – The PEACE, Inc. Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Carolyn Brown as Executive Director, the agency’s first female Executive Director in its 54-year history. Ms. Brown succeeds Joseph E. O’Hara, who retired after nearly 50 years of public and non-profit service, including the final 20 years as PEACE, Inc.’s Executive Director.
According to David Scharoun, President of PEACE, Inc.’s Board of Directors, “On behalf of the Board, and after a nationwide search, I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Carolyn Brown as PEACE, Inc.’s new Executive Director. The effective date of her new position is retroactive to September 1, 2021. The Board would like to congratulate Carolyn and wish her the best in her new assignment. We would also like to request that the entire Syracuse and Central New York Community join us in welcoming Carolyn Brown as our new Executive Director.”
Building from Mr. O’Hara’s legacy, Ms. Brown draws from extensive private and governmental experience as well as agency knowledge. In her past 14 years at PEACE, Inc., Ms. Brown has served a variety of positions, her last being Deputy Director. Irrespective of her title and responsibilities, Carolyn has practiced the belief that people thrive when they are treated with respect and kindness. A commitment to collaborative growth drives her vision for the agency and reflects the tenants of Community Action, that “all people should be treated with dignity and respect and recognize that structural race, gender, and other inequities remain barriers that must be addressed.”
Originally from a large extended family in New Jersey and possessing a JD from Fordham University, Carolyn began her career as a litigator in Manhattan before moving to Syracuse and serving with the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York. Additionally, Carolyn with her husband Ed raised three boys in the city of Syracuse. A passion for community and family has led Carolyn to volunteer with a variety of local organizations and serve as a board member of Hiscock Legal Aid, Sarah’s Guest House, and Bellevue Heights Nursery School.
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About PEACE, Inc.
Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc. is a federal designated Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves nearly 12,000 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.
Media Contact
Todd Goehle, Community Engagement Director, PEACE, Inc.
Arby’s Foundation Donates $29,800 to Serve Local Youth
Foundation to allocate proceeds from national Make A Difference fundraiser to support PEACE, Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
Syracuse, New York, December 5, 2021 – As part of the annual in-restaurant fundraising program, the Make a Difference campaign, Arby’s restaurants raised nearly $3.4 million to support national organizations dedicated to providing kids the future they deserve.
In Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York, $29,800 will be granted to PEACE, Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Program. The funds will be used to expand Mentorship and Basic Needs Supports for BBBS youth and their families. The funds will also help sponsor and cover the costs of the Big Brothers Big Sisters annual Holiday Party. At the event, BBBS “Bigs,” “Littles,” and the “Littles” families play games, participate in activities, and enjoy a holiday meal. All “Littles” also receive a gift. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s party will be mobile. Arby’s funds will be used to expand the distribution of winter clothes and basic needs supplies for families.
“These funds will provide additional supports to help our community’s youth reach their full potential.” said John Bruzdzinski, Director of PEACE, Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters. “We’re thrilled to have Arby’s give back and reinvest funds for our Central New York Youth.”
Additional funds will be granted to Arby’s Foundation national non-profit partners: Big Brothers Big Sisters, No Kid Hungry and Junior Achievement (3DE) to support programs focused on childhood hunger, youth leadership and career readiness.
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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 $90 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 in 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., PEACE, Inc.’s Big Brothers Big Sisters
Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc. is a federal designated Community Action Agency (CAA) that serves nearly 12,000 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 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-, School-, and Corporate-Based mentoring, PEACE, Inc.’s BBBS branch continues doing this important work in matching kids (Littles) with mentors (Bigs).
After 20 dedicated years as PEACE, Inc.’s Executive Director, Joe retired on August 31, 2021.
Joe’s impact on PEACE, Inc. has been profound, leaving a legacy of program innovation and community responsiveness. Over Joe’s tenure, PEACE, Inc.’s annual revenue nearly doubled, a reflection of the expansion of most of the agency’s programs. More recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, PEACE, Inc. responded to the needs of its community in real time and in novel ways, including Home-Delivered Meals, Housing and Rental Eviction Supports, and Vaccination Outreach.
Joe was especially proud of the agency’s stewardship of its many federal, state, and philanthropic funding streams. PEACE, Inc. has received no audit findings or significant deficiencies for the last fifteen audited financial statements. It has also qualified as a low-risk auditee for the last thirteen years.
Throughout his career, Joe passionately combated poverty and sought to help individuals and families escape from it. They were values that 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, Noteworthy was his work with the Education and Human Development Committee of the City of Syracuse, the Providence College Board of Governors, and the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
A modest man, Joe was nonetheless frequently recognized for his leadership, receiving awards from the Waterford Crystal Award from the St. Patrick Day Parade Committee, the Outstanding New Yorker Award from the New York State Jaycees, and the Providence College Alumni Association Faithful Friar Award. Upon his retirement, proclamations were given by State Senator John W. Mannion, Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon, Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, and Village of East Syracuse Mayor Robert T. Tackman. PEACE, Inc. also planted a tree honoring Joe at its Merrick Head Start site. Like the African proverb, “When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind,” the tree will symbolize Joe’s commitment to growing programs with strong foundations.
In retirement now, Joe will spend more time reading, enjoying live baseball at the ballpark, and spending time with his family and grandchildren. We congratulate Joe on his wonderful career and his legacy for improving the lives of all Syracuse and Central New York residents.
