LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring P.E.A.C.E. Incorporated's Big Brothers
Big Sisters program for 30 years of dedicated service to the community

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those illustrious organizations of distinguished purpose that
have been committed to the pursuit of excellence and that bring great
pride to the citizens of our great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to honor
P.E.A.C.E. Incorporated's Big Brothers Big Sisters program, upon the
occasion of celebrating its 30th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, For 30 years, P.E.A.C.E. Incorporated's Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Onondaga County has been instrumental in developing the
community's youth by pairing them with a young adult or adult mentor,
with whom they spend at least a few hours per week participating in many
constructive activities; and
WHEREAS, Since 1980 the local program has created thousands of life-
long and life-changing friendships by pairing children who need or want
a mentoring relationship, with a caring and committed mentor; and
WHEREAS, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County has two mentoring
programs, the first of which is the Traditional Program, which matches
children ages six to 12 with a volunteer over the age of 18; the child
and volunteer are paired together for at least one year, and the child
may remain in the program until they are 18; and
WHEREAS, The second program offered by Big Brothers Big Sisters in the
School Based Mentoring Program, which consists of a high school or
college student being matched with a child in grades three to six to
provide tutoring, homework assistance, and socialization; this program
is offered on-site at the child's school, one day a week; currently,
this program is available in nine elementary schools in the Syracuse
City School District, as well as three in the Central Square District;
and
WHEREAS, Today, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County is serving
more children participating in the program than ever, but with a waiting
list of 130 children, their commitment of helping all youth in the
community receive the mentoring they desire continues as they aim to
reach their goal of zero children on the waiting list; and
WHEREAS, The success of Big Brothers Big Sisters would not be possible
without the help of the dedicated staff, volunteers, and sponsors who
support the program; they deserve to be commended for their commitment
and contributions to local youth and their community; and
WHEREAS, The mission of P.E.A.C.E. Incorporated is to help members of
the community reach their fullest potential and become self-sufficient,
and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County proudly succeeds in
carrying out this mission by providing such wonderful and caring
services to the community that it serves; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor and thank P.E.A.C.E. Incorporated Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Onondaga County for its 30 years of dedicated service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Oscar Vergara, Youth Services Director of P.E.A.C.E. Incor-
porated.