CLEVELAND, OH / ACCESS Newswire / September 2, 2026 / The KeyBank Foundation is committing $300,000 to People's Equal Action and Community Effort (PEACE) Inc. to strengthen family stability in Syracuse through the new Department of Community Programs initiative.
Expanding Pathways to Stability and Opportunity
Funds from the grant will be used by PEACE, Inc. to develop, pilot, and implement the Department of Community Programs, an innovative whole-family, intergenerational service model designed to strengthen family stability, economic security, and community resilience for low-income families in Syracuse. Along with a focus on tackling underlying barriers that impact family stability and economic well-being, the initiative aims to ensure that more low-income families are prepared to benefit from the unprecedented economic opportunities reshaping Central New York.
"For decades, PEACE, Inc. has been a beacon of hope in Syracuse, helping people navigate challenges and create new opportunities for themselves and their loved ones. As our region continues to grow, it's critical that everyone has access to the resources and support needed to share in that prosperity," said Stephen Fournier, KeyBank Central New York Market President. "We're proud to support this effort to ensure more individuals and families have a pathway to greater stability, self-sufficiency, and lasting success."
Connecting Services to Better Support Families
PEACE, Inc.'s mission is to help people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient by providing programs that equip low-income individuals and families with the skills and self-confidence to move forward in their lives. Some of these programs include Free Tax Preparation, Family Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Onondaga County, AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent, the Frank DeFrancisco Eastwood Community Center, Senior Nutrition, and Senior Support Services. The new Department of Community Programs initiative will connect these programs to break down internal silos and increase efficiencies within the services offered to support community members with a more holistic approach.
"We at PEACE, Inc. are extremely grateful for KeyBank's generous support of our whole-family, intergenerational work focusing on strengthening family stability, economic security, and community resilience for low-income families in Syracuse," said Carolyn D. Brown, PEACE Inc. Executive Director. "Collaborating with KeyBank will allow us to prepare families and individuals to benefit from the positive changes in our local economy."
"PEACE, Inc. has earned the trust of Syracuse families by showing up for them year after year, in moments both challenging and hopeful. Their ability to connect people with the support they need while recognizing the dignity and potential in every individual is what makes their work so meaningful," said Tamika Otis, KeyBank Central New York Corporate Responsibility and Community Relations Officer. "We're proud to invest in an approach that will help even more families create brighter futures for themselves and future generations."
Shaping the Future of Central New York
This latest investment builds on KeyBank's broader history of community-driven philanthropy, economic mobility initiatives, and inclusive banking investments. Since 2017, KeyBank has invested more than $821.8 million in Syracuse and Central New York, supporting affordable housing, small business and home lending, and transformational philanthropic initiatives.
Learn more about how KeyBank helps clients, teammates, and communities thrive by making meaningful investments in the places it's proud to call home.
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SOURCE: KeyBank
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:
https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/keybank-foundation-supports-intergenerational-family-stability-initi-1215800
