As the Community Action Agency for Onondaga County, PEACE, Inc. will celebrate the impact of community action this month!
Did you know, for example, that PEACE, Inc. and Community Action emerged from the 1960s and then President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “War on Poverty?” Or the central tenant of Community Action, Maximum Feasible Participation? You can learn more about the history of Community Action here!
Jacki Evans has served the PEACE, Inc. community since September 2001. Before her journey started with PEACE, Inc., she studied Early Childhood Education, taught a year of preschool, and then worked as an assistant director of a daycare center.
Jacki’s career at PEACE, Inc. began as a Site Supervisor. Jacki has sought to provide the best Early Childhood Education experience possible throughout her career. She says that, at PEACE, Inc, one is given opportunities to learn and develop in a way that embraces creativity. PEACE, Inc. Head Start has provided support as she pursued her desire to be a leader in the field. The program has offered her training and experience.
Currently, Jacki serves as the Parent Engagement and Male Involvement Coordinator, which includes working directly with Policy Council, Parent Committees and Head Start employees. She coordinates activities and training opportunities that support the parent as the child’s first and lifelong teacher.
In speaking about the agency’s mission, Jacki believes the agency provides people with the resources and confidence as they prepare their children for school and life. Her favorite part of the job is the “mentorship piece” because it allows her to cheer on individuals she works closely with as they embark on their “personal development” journey. Being present with someone as they recognize their value and gain advocacy skills is Jacki’s most rewarding part of the job.
In following up on Women’s History Month, when asked what “Womanhood” means to her, Jacki said grace, poise, kindness, strength and self-confidence. Jacki is grateful for the women in the past that put their lives and freedom on the line to fight for equity and equality; because of them, women have the right to fair pay, the right to vote, and professional opportunities in the field of Early Childhood Education.
It’s always an honor to have such amazing guests visit us at Lafayette Head Start to help us celebrate Literacy Month! We were so lucky to have Linda and Hannah from Kentucky volunteer with us this week, reading and donating books to each child.
Plus, one of our own students’ mom even stopped by Room 2 to read to the children. We hope you’ll join us in thanking these special guests for helping to spread a love of reading and bringing smiles to our little ones!
Our Big Brothers Big Sisters with our littles enjoyed an afternoon of many activities, such as a video booth, face painting, crafts, games, gifts and food.
The PEACE, Inc. Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Onondaga County helps children who face adversity and change their perspectives to help them reach their fullest potential in life.
Our one-to-one mentoring relationships cultivate the social and emotional development needed to help build resilience and annually promote hundreds of children’s mental health and well-being.
Interested in learning more about our programs and how you can empower a young person in your community through mentorship? Please visit https://www.peace-caa.org/programs/bbbs/
It was a transformational Earth Day for the Emma L. Johnston Southside Family Resource Center! PEACE, Inc. invited community volunteers, corporate partners, and staff members to help clean up the empty greenspace lot behind Southside FRC. In just a few hours, our team of staff and volunteers were able to clear brush, weeds, and garbage out of the lots; renew the raised garden beds; and even uncover a sidewalk!
Many thanks to the volunteers from the Syracuse branches of JP Morgan Chase & Company, Housing Management Resources, Inc., and PEACE, Inc. for coming out and supporting the community in this important work. Particular thanks go to Sean from Maintenance and our Southside FRC Coordinator James for organizing the efforts.
