FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 October 2017
Contact: Stephanie Eghigian
315-793-9700 ext. 201 or
Stephanie@EmpoweredPathwaysCNY.org

The Peacemaker Program and Women’s Employment and Resource
Center Merge – New Organization is Named Empowered Pathways

Utica NY – Today, leadership, staff and board members of two local non-profit agencies
announce their merger. The Peacemaker Program and the Women’s Employment and
Resource Center (WERC), two longstanding organizations in our community, have prepared
for months to join forces and will move forward under the new name Empowered Pathways.
As both agencies were feeling the tightening of government funding and local donations,
and recognizing that with more resources comes resiliency, their boards began looking at the
possibility of a partnership. Both organizations promote self determination and empowerment
to their clients and wanted to practice those principles in seeking partners. The mission, vision
and values of the two organizations aligned.

While many non-profits may worry that a merger will cause them to lose their identity and the
ONE thing that makes them unique, the boards went beyond that and decided that the elements
that make the agencies individually special could be enhanced by combining forces.
The merger is supported by The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties.
The Foundation was involved early on in the merger talks, provided excellent guidance, a
connection to New York Council of Non Profits (NYCON), and later monetary support to
assist with the merger.

The merger will give the new organization plenty of opportunities to build capacity and
stability including more resources for staff, additional training and programming for clients
and increased funding opportunities. Consolidating space will provide more efficiency with
utilities and decrease their overhead. WERC has already relocated to The Peacemaker offices
at 502 Court Street in the Mill Square Building. Consolidating services such as accounting,
reception and auditing will also decrease effort and expense.

Executive Director Stephanie Eghigian shares, “We are thrilled about the merger and so far,
the working relationship between two boards and two sets of staff has been phenomenal.
Our ability to better serve our clients is enhanced and we’re bringing together a staff with
enormous talent to support each other and form a creative team. We have assured a stable,
successful future for Empowered Pathways by joining forces.”

Alicia Dicks, President & CEO of The Foundation adds, “As the nonprofit landscape continues
to change, it’s essential for organizations to find new and innovative ways to collaborate for
success. The Community Foundation is uniquely positioned as an ‘honest broker’ to help our
nonprofit partners explore these opportunities because we favor what’s in the best interest
of our community and its residents. By combining forces, Empowered Pathways is better able
to serve its clients – not only today but for many years to come.”

The new name will go into effect immediately.
Empowered Pathways information:
502 Court Street, Suite 234
Utica, NY 13502
315-724-1718
www.EmpCNY.org

About The Peacemaker Program
The Peacemaker Program, Inc. provides a continuum of services including skill development,
dispute resolution programs and child advocacy services through the use of carefully trained
volunteers. Our mission is to offer inclusive, innovative approaches to resolve conflict and
achieve positive outcomes for children, families and the community.

About the Women’s Employment Resource Center (WERC)
WERC serves women in need of job readiness services in Herkimer, Oneida and Madison
Counties for almost 30 years. WERC provides women with everything they need to prepare
for, get and keep a job from resume preparation, Business Online applications and Interview
skills to computer training, soft skills in the workplace, public speaking tips and problem
solving and communication skills.