peaceinc | PEACE, Inc.

WE DID IT! How 115 Donors and Agencies Transformed the Holidays for Local Families

by peaceinc | Dec 19, 2025 | News and Information

WE DID IT! We set some pretty lofty goals for this year’s Give-A-Holiday campaign. And the community stepped up! Through the charity of 115 agencies and individual donors, PEACE, Inc. ensured that 1215 Head Start/Onondaga County Youth under 5 had the winter hats, gloves, and books to make their learning a bit more fun and comfortable! 185 households served by the agency received basic needs baskets that eased burdens in a moment of rising costs and decreased supports. And last, we received and distributed more than $8000 in gift cards/monetary donations to our families in crisis.

A child enjoying a book with their parents. A family who doesn’t need to worry about gifts or cleaning supplies. A mother who can now rebuild after a fire left her and her children homeless. Real examples from this year, they speak of the generosity of Central New York. We thank everyone who participated (including those volunteers affiliated with Eastwood Community Center and area Fire Departments). We’re already planning for next year’s campaign!

Employee of the Month for April is Stephanie Bingham

by peaceinc | May 3, 2024 | News and Information

We would like to present to you the newly minted and well-deserved…Employee of the Month – Stephanie Bingham!

Stephanie started at PEACE Inc. in 2018 as a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters team. In 2019, she became the FRC Coordinator at Westside Family Resource Center. In 2021 she accepted her current role as an Associate Director of Family Services!

Steph continues to be a valuable member of the Family Services team. She has identified numerous areas for improvement in the GoEngage database, has trained staff, and has developed procedures to ensure database efficiencies as well as to assure data integrity. Stephanie readily accepts additional responsibilities in order to best aid her peers, clients, and the PEACE, Inc. brand overall.

Steph serves on several key teams, including the IT Committee, Community Data Group Racial Equity Committee, E. Adams Street Child Care Team, Community Action ’60 Years at the State’s team,..just to name a few.

In addition, Stephanie recently represented PEACE in Albany at the State’s Child Care Advocacy Day. We are very fortunate to have Stephanie as part of the FRC Team.

Please join us in congratulating Stephanie on her contributions to PEACE Inc. and for her overall positive outlook.

Photo: Employee of the Month Stephanie Bingham, with (left to right) Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator Gerri Reagan, Family Services Director Mary Beth Welch, and Executive Director Carolyn Brown.

Jenn Gaffney recently visited Grandma Lana’s classroom for storytime

by peaceinc | Apr 3, 2024 | News and Information

Recently, Jenn Gaffney, the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Coordinator, paid a visit to Grandma Lana’s classroom to read a storybook to the Kindergarteners. During the visit, Jenn chose to read Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Webb, which turned out to be a delightful experience for both the students and Jenn.

AmeriCorps Seniors FGP Coordinator Jenn Gaffney recently visited Grandma Lana's classroom for storytime

Employee of the Month for March is Tieyonnia Brandon

by peaceinc | Apr 2, 2024 | News and Information

Tieyonnia Brandon began working in our Head Start program in February 2018 as a Teacher Aide, then became a Teacher Assistant later that year and a Family Worker in 2022, obtaining her Child Development Associate Credential and Family Development Credential.

Tieyonnia has been an anchor at our Merrick site, continuing to provide a great deal of classroom coverage throughout the building as well as support to families beyond her standard caseload due to continued staffing shortages. Meanwhile, she is attending college classes at night, and is on track to earn her Associate’s Degree in Human Services by December 2024.

Our Head Start Family Workers help clients to prepare their children for success in school and beyond, by meeting families where they are while providing support and encouragement toward forward movement at their pace. Tieyonnia has demonstrated through her work that she realizes the key to success and positive progress for families is based on developing healthy partnerships and being a valuable and encouraging resource, whether it is by supporting them through the complex challenges of homelessness, or by assisting them with the initial steps of scheduling a child’s first medical exam.

Recognizing her dedication, commitment, and hard work, we are pleased to honor Tieyonnia Brandon as our Employee of the Month for March!

Photo: Employee of the Month Tieyonnia Brandon, with Merrick Head Start Site Supervisor Sharon Bean and Executive Director Carolyn Brown.

Teresa Piedmonte is our 2023 Employee of the Year!

by peaceinc | Feb 18, 2024 | News and Information

Teresa Piedmonte has been our Facilities Office Manager since October 2020, and she has made a huge impact on the department right from her first day on the job, channeling her can-do attitude and infectious positive energy to do great things. Her notable achievements include improving the purchase order process, finding and implementing a new and highly effective online work order system, and earning the title of “Queen of Inventory” by overseeing the clean-up, renovation, and reorganization of the warehouse into an efficient operation ensuring the documentation and loss-prevention of all agency supplies and maintenance equipment.

Thank you, Teresa, for everything you do, and congratulations for being named our Employee of the Year for 2023!

Photo: 2023 Employee of the Year Teresa Piedmonte, with (L to R) Recruiter Jamie Colucci, Facilities Director Jerry Barker, Executive Director Carolyn Brown, Custodian Shawn Rhines, Maintenance Supply Manager Ben Binyard, and Maintenance Manager Ned Owens.