by peaceinc | Mar 31, 2022 | News and Information
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!”
For more about PEACE, Inc.’s Family Services Department, visit https://www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/
About PEACE, Inc. Department of Family Services
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
Media Contact
Mary Beth Welch, Director
PEACE, Inc. Family Services
Email: Marybeth.welch@peace-caa.org
Phone: 315-634-3716
by peaceinc | Mar 31, 2022 | News and Information
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to shine a light on the directors who are women here at PEACE, Inc.
Today’s featured director is Mary Beth Welch who has been with PEACE, Inc. for 8 years and currently serves as the Director of the Family Resource Centers.
Working at PEACE Inc. has given Mary Beth a “sense of purpose”. This was especially true during the early stages of the pandemic, when the County was virtually shut down, each of the Family Resources Centers remained opened giving food away to clients. “We made a difference” says Mary Beth.
After spending many years working in a corporate role, Mary Beth found herself searching for a job that was rewarding. She found that at PEACE, Inc… While interviewing she asked the search committee why they enjoyed at PEACE, Inc… Their heartfelt answers sealed the deal!
She has served as the Director of the Family Resources Centers for seven years, “I never had a day that I didn’t want to go to work.” You can truly tell that May Beth enjoys her job and serving our community. She administers 28 staff members, all her direct staff are women. Mary Beth said the best part about working at PEACE, Inc.-“no two days are the same.” And, “I get to work with an awesome team everyday”!
To learn more about the Family Resource Centers, please visit our website, by clicking the link below: https://www.peace-caa.org/programs/frc/
by peaceinc | Mar 31, 2022 | News and Information
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’d like to shine a spotlight on the Women program directors of PEACE Inc.
Our Community Engagement team had the opportunity to ask Beth O’Hara a few questions about her role as the director of the Foster Grandparent Program.
What does your job mean to you?
-Independence and freedom
-Structure and stability
-Creativity and opportunity (to use my talents and skills)
-Connections and relationships (outside my home/family life)
“Entering my 25th year with PEACE, Inc., I feel extremely fortunate to have landed in a wonderful work environment that has allowed me the opportunity to grow personally and professionally. PEACE lives up to its mission statement by also allowing employees to realize their potential. The agency’s family-friendly culture allowed me to be a successful working mother; able to manage a successful program while maintaining a balanced family life”.
What’s the best part of your job?
“The best part of my job is being able to use my management skills and my people skills. One day I might be writing a funder’s report; the next day I might be leading training with our seniors. In human services, you need to be able to pivot on turn on a dime! This keeps the job exciting and challenging. While I prefer the administrative duties, I’m capable of providing direct services when necessary”.
by peaceinc | Mar 31, 2022 | News and Information
Rebeccah Heberle’s journey with Peace Inc., started 23 years ago when she applied for a Home Visitor Position. Over the years her roles in the agency have included: a role as an Early Intervention worker and Child Development/ Health Services Manager. She has been a director for over 10 years.
Our Community Engagement team had the opportunity to ask Rebeccah a few questions about her role as the director of the Head Start & Early Head Start program.
- What’s does your job mean to you?
My job is everything I would want to do every day! Each day can be very different for me, and most days have some rewarding factors within them. I enjoy being able to help people, whether that be staff or families. Much of my work may be indirectly helping people but overall it is working to help improve the programming we offer for children and families. I appreciate the relationships that I make with members of the PEACE Head Start community. Those relationships really make me appreciate my job!
- What’s the best part of your job?
I would have to say hands down the best part of my job is the children! The days when I get to interact with children are the absolute best!
by peaceinc | Mar 31, 2022 | News and Information
Sally Ward has been with PEACE, Inc. for 25 years and currently serves as the Director of Energy and Housing Services.
Working at PEACE, Inc. has given Sally “the opportunity to impact the lives of the people in the community.” She has a passion for “advocacy and energy conservation”. Both mean a great deal to the work being pursued within her department and in the broader community.
Sally’s journey with PEACE Inc. started with an application for a different position within the agency. However, her application landed in the Department of Energy & Housing Services (DEHS). Once hired, she became an Office Manager and later the Assistant to the Director. For the past 10 years. Sally has served as the DEHS Director.
Sally appreciates that her Department has great staff. The team has the chance to take part in different projects has allowed it to collaborate with other community-based agencies/organizations for the betterment of DEHS clients.
Ultimately, Sally says the best part of her job is when she receives written thank notes from clients that mention the names of employees who have completed energy improvements on their homes. She’ll make copies of the notes, highlight the staff members’ name mentioned in the note, and give it to them!
