In 2021, PEACE, Inc. became the designated Central New York backbone agency for the statewide Fatherhood Initiative, an evidence-based initiative that assists single fathers with information and resources to help with child and family development.
Specifically, PEACE, Inc.’s Family Services Department introduced a Fatherhood Initiative Pilot Program at the agency’s South Side Family Resource Center (SSFRC). The agency collaborated with internal programs – including the Early Head Start/Head Start Program – and external regional partners for effective programming. PEACE, Inc.’s Family Navigator, Parent Engagement Coordinator, and Family Reentry Case Manager worked with Founder and Director of The Fatherhood Connection, whose curriculum guided the project. 9 young fathers and fathers-to-be were assisted, including individuals reentering society from incarceration and reuniting with their children. For 10 weeks, the initiative focused on topics such as defining love, healthy relationships, and parenting and co-parenting tips. One-on-one case management was offered for fathers seeking additional supports.
PEACE, Inc. Fatherhood Initiative members participated in a program coined for purpose, passion, and persistence. Participants reported that – amongst many program successes – they recognized and gained maturity; increased knowledge and confidence in handling family dynamics; developed a sense of “self-purpose” and value of fatherhood; and collectively acknowledged how cycles can be broken. One young client informed staff that, “I cannot wait for my child to be born, thank you for your resources” while another expressed love for his family, “I long to be with my son everyday…”
Family Services plans to launch the second group of the Fatherhood Initiative at the East Side Family Resource Center. To enhance services, the initiative will continue to work with the Fatherhood Connection, collaborate with the agency’s Early Head Start/Head Start program, and provide participants with program meals and child care supports.
Photos were taken at the Fatherhood Initiative Pilot Program graduation ceremony at SSFRC
Volunteers/supporters drive Community Action Agencies such as PEACE, Inc. Providing their time and energy, they ensure quality tax refunds and credits for those who most need them. They distribute meals, food stuffs, and other nutrition for those who are hungry. They provide smiles and kind words of encouragement for youth who can never have enough of both. A community member’s desire to strengthen their community takes many forms. We’d like to spread the word about a new PEACE, Inc. opportunity born out of a volunteer’s love for sports and family, Sports Gear for Good.
Developed by long-time PEACE, Inc. supporter and previously volunteer Jeff Miller, Sports Gear for Good provides the resources for those families and their youth to purchase quality sporting equipment or to attend a sports camp. For Kids, sports provide critical vehicles for socialization, leadership development, and fun most importantly. Yet sometimes, the cost of simply a baseball glove or a lacrosse stick can deter low-income youth from pursuing athletic interests. Jeff’s generous annual donation seeks to eliminate such barriers. Sports Gear for Good is also personal for him.
For more than 45 years, Jeff’s family has owned and operated Scholastic Sports Sales out of Manlius. As Jeff talked with the community engagement team about passing on the family business to his children, he also shared how athletics have been “good to his family” and hopes that Sports Gear for Good can pay it forward. He knows firsthand the needs of PEACE, Inc. families. For nearly 10 years (2005-2015), Jeff served as a PEACE, Inc. “Big Brother” to his “Little” Carlos. They still remain friends to this day. He also spoke about how participating in the agency’s “Give-A-Holiday” holiday gift giving program is an annual highlight for his family. At that time, Jeff and his wife come together with his children and grandchildren to shop for their assigned family and enjoy burgers at Red Robin afterword.
Through their efforts, supporters such as Jeff help PEACE, Inc. creatively respond to the needs of Central New York families. If you know a family who could benefit from Sports Gear for Good, contact our County West Family Resource Center in Baldwinsville at 315-638-1051. Likewise, have a skill or passion that you’d like to share with us? Visit our “Get Involved” Page www.peace-caa.org/get-involve.
These series of meetings will be for all city residents who would like to share ideas and input about their neighborhoods and districts. Attendees can prepare a statement or other helpful material although this is not required to attend. Feedback given will be used to redraw district lines for the five common council districts in the City.
Kate Tohafjian has been with us since 2010, first as a Head Start Family Worker for several years, and as our Partnerships Coordinator since 2017. In her current role, she works with partner organizations that collaborate with our Head Start / Early Head Start program to provide child development and case management services to additional families, which she does by monitoring the compliance of those organizations with federal performance standards, providing training and assistance to their employees, and supervising our staff that work within those sites.
When Kate stepped into this coordinator position, she supervised 3 employees who supported 7 organizations that served 137 young children. Today, she supervises 11 positions, with a scope that also includes four daycare sites with Catholic Charities as well as pre-K classrooms at five SCSD elementary schools, for a total of 340 children served!
The Family Worker who submitted the nomination for Kate wrote that she is “the best supervisor I have ever had” because she is “always there to provide you with support if you need it and she is willing to go above and beyond” for her staff.
Congratulations Kate Tohafjian, our Employee of the Month for April !
Syracuse, New York – PEACE, Inc. and its Family Services Department recently received a $4,500 grant to develop a Women’s Wellness Program. The mini-grant was awarded by the Maternal and Infant Community Health Collaborative (MICHC), a program of the Division of Healthy Families at the Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD). Funds are to address maternal and child health service gaps due to racial, ethnic, economic, and sex/gender based discrimination.
The Family Services’ Women’s Wellness Program will serve 30 women and girls through the agency’s Eastside, Southside, and Westside Family Resource Centers. Each center will serve 10 identifying females of different ages, focusing on issues relative to their age groups. Women and girls will participate in a series of women’s health empowerment and education activities – including but not limited to – topics of conflict resolution, healthy relationships, personal hygiene, nutrition, family planning, and sexual, physical and mental health.
The Women’s Wellness Program aims to holistically address women’s health through the connection of sexual, physical, mental/emotional, and social well-being. The program will follow best-practices of The Girls Circle Model, an evidence-based curriculum developed by the One Circle Foundation. One Circle Foundation evaluation data revealed that girls who participated in these programs showed significant increases in educational aspirations and expectations, condom use, self-efficacy, attachment to school, social support and positive body image, as well as decreases in self-harming behavior and alcohol use.
Director of Family Services, Mary Beth Welch, says “PEACE, Inc. is thrilled to be able to serve three unique populations in our community via the Women’s Wellness Program. We will run three distinct programs simultaneously. One program will be designed to educate high school age girls on women’s wellness, another will be modified to specifically address the needs of pregnant teens, and a third will educate the community on the care of mature women. We appreciate the support from Onondaga County as we continue to focus on the needs of the women in our community!”
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. The Family Services Department runs six Family Resource Centers (FRCs) throughout Onondaga County. Programs include emergency assistance, crisis intervention, advocacy, supportive services, employment support, youth activities, education and family development partnerships. Family Services is one of 9 primary programs offered by PEACE, Inc., including Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Family Services (FRCs), Head Start and Early Head Start (HS, EHS), Foster Grandparent Program, Free Tax Preparation (EITC), Eastwood Community Center, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Support Services. For more information, visit www.peace-caa.org
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