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.

This past month, we mourned the loss of Mrs. Emma L. Johnston, an original founder of PEACE, Inc., member and leader of many local civil rights/advocacy organizations, and pillar of the community. She passed October 31 at Crouse Hospital after a long illness. She was 86.

Arriving to Syracuse from the South in 1963, Mrs. Johnston’s firsthand experiences with housing discrimination led her to become a passionate voice against all forms of injustice in our community. As she reflected in an interview with PEACE, Inc., Mrs. Johnston wanted to know why “I came from the South and got more discrimination here than I had in the South.”

Joining the NAACP and the precursor to PEACE, Inc., Crusade for Opportunity, Mrs. Johnston cofounded and served PEACE, Inc. in a number of leadership positions for more than 50 years. In recognition for her service to the community, PEACE, Inc.’s Southside Family Resource Center was renamed to honor her legacy of service.

Perhaps former Executive Director Joseph E. O’Hara’s description of Mrs. Johnston and her contributions to the agency sums it best, “She’s our Rosa Parks. She’s just a very classy person who is going to seek fairness, justice and equal opportunity every waking moment.”

Volunteers are critical for our Organization. They commit their time, talents, energy to improving our community and the residents of it. We’d like to shed the light a volunteer who has helped us throughout the pandemic, Jackie Gayle.

Jackie began working with PEACE, Inc. as an Intern within our Home Delivery Program in February 2021. Studying Human Services and Criminal Justice at Onondaga Community College, she was seeking to complete required hours towards her major. A mother of three who returned to school and is changing professions, Jackie was instantly attracted to the agency’s mission because she “loves what we do.” “I like helping people- PEACE was the place that stood out to me.”

In her responsibilities, Jackie assisted our logistics manager Sharon Thompson with the delivery of meals for homebound seniors. She also regularly called them to identify their needs. Her commitment was impressive, at one point even pushing the van uphill to ensure her clients received their meals. After completing her internship hours, Jackie remained with PEACE, Inc. as a volunteer. She shared that even with a busy school schedule, Jackie looks forward to her time on Fridays and states that she’ll keep volunteering at PEACE, Inc.

Are you interested in following Jackie’s lead and feeling a sense of purpose through volunteering? We need drivers for our Nutrition Department. Big Brothers Big Sisters and our Foster Grandparent program are always on the lookout for Community and Senior mentors too. Our free tax program is looking for volunteer tax preparers as well.

Contact us at volunteer@peace-caa.org for more information!