Senate Resolution No. 5390

BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO

CELEBRATING the 50th Anniversary of People's Equal
Action and Community Effort, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
honor those esteemed organizations within our midst whose work and civic
endeavors have enhanced the quality of life in their communities and the
great State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
celebrate the 50th Anniversary of People's Equal Action and Community
Effort, Inc. (PEACE, Inc.); and

WHEREAS, PEACE, Inc. is a non-profit community-based organization
with the mission of helping people realize their potential for becoming
self-sufficient; and

WHEREAS, PEACE, Inc. provides a continuum of services for the entire
family from infants to the elderly, and the majority of individuals
served have incomes placing them at or below the Federal Poverty
Guidelines; and

WHEREAS, Incorporated in 1968, PEACE, Inc., Onondaga County's
federally designated Community Action Agency, was founded in response to
the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964; and

WHEREAS, As part of the network of Community Action Agencies, PEACE,
Inc. strengthens families, improves the conditions in which people
live, and develops partnerships with other organizations, businesses,
and individuals to support these efforts; and

WHEREAS, Through its nine programs, PEACE, Inc. offers a wide
variety of services for people of all ages at more than 50 locations
around Onondaga County; these programs include: the Frank DeFrancisco
Eastwood Community Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Energy and Housing
Services, Family Resource Centers, the Foster Grandparent Program, Free
Tax Prep, Head Start / Early Head Start, Senior Nutrition, and Senior
Supports; and

WHEREAS, The Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center, named
after the late father of State Senator John A. DeFrancisco, offers
residents of the Eastwood neighborhood in Syracuse, particularly
seniors, opportunities to socialize, volunteer, learn, and contribute to
their community; activities at the center include senior nutrition
lunches, wellness programs, dancing, card games, day trips, and
celebrations, to name a few; and

WHEREAS, The Big Brothers Big Sisters program at PEACE, Inc.
improves the lives of school-aged children through a variety of
mentoring programs, including school-based, workplace and one-to-one
mentoring; and

WHEREAS, The energy burden is reduced on PEACE, Inc.'s clients in
Onondaga and Oswego County through its Energy and Housing Services
program, by providing cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions to
households with low and moderate incomes; and

WHEREAS, The Family Resource Centers at PEACE, Inc. are safe, secure
neighborhood hubs where trained staff provide emergency assistance,
advocacy, supportive services, employment support, youth activities and
family development to low-income individuals; and

WHEREAS, PEACE, Inc.'s Foster Grandparent program provides senior
citizens the opportunity to share their time and talents mentoring
at-risk children in the community; and

WHEREAS, In its Free Tax Prep program, PEACE, Inc. trains and
supports volunteers who prepare and e-file tax returns for individuals
so they can receive the largest refund possible and access all eligible
tax credits; and

WHEREAS, The Head Start and Early Head Start programs prepare
children for kindergarten by offering a comprehensive, family-focused,
early childhood education program that serves pregnant women and
children from birth to five years old; and

WHEREAS, The Senior Nutrition program at PEACE, Inc. provides
healthy meals to seniors using nutritious, local and fresh ingredients;
seniors gather together at dining rooms throughout the county to eat
together, share stories, and build friendships; and

WHEREAS, The Senior Supports program at PEACE, Inc. helps to connect
isolated and homebound senior citizens to the services they need to live
independently and remain in their own homes; and

WHEREAS, With a staff of about 375 employees, and over 3,000
volunteers, PEACE, Inc. helps more than 10,000 people become more
independent, have a stake in their own community, and achieve their
potential; and

WHEREAS, The character of life in Central New York has been ably
served and uniquely enriched for the past 50 years through the
dedication and benevolent concern of PEACE, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, Under the able leadership of Executive Director Joseph E.
O'Hara, PEACE, Inc., in every capacity in which it has served, has left
a permanent mark on the Central New York community, changing lives by
teaching people how to help themselves and support those around them;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the 50th Anniversary of People's Equal Action and Community
Effort, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joseph E. O'Hara, Executive Director of PEACE, Inc.