Archive: Around Town

The United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) Board of Directors recently unanimously approved funding recommendations totaling $72,500 to support local health and human services and programs.  Elaine Quaroni, UWTC Community Investment Chair and Board Member, presented funding recommendations to the Board of Directors for the Fall Hunger & Food Security Fund, with funding recommendations totaling $44,000. The 2013 Youth and Philanthropy Council presented $25,000 in funding recommendations and the Ithaca College Student United Way presented grant recommendations totaling $3,500.

UWTC is committed to the success of our community by advocating and supporting individuals and families so that everyone has the opportunity to live self-sufficient lives and fulfill their potential. UWTC works to support programming that is making an impact to improve the quality of life of area residents.

James Brown, president of UWTC added, “To help create meaningful and lasting community change, people must come together from across the community.  These three grant programs demonstrate the diverse and collective impact of high school, campus and adult community engagement.”

UWTC continues to work with community partners to eliminate hunger and food security barriers in Tompkins County.  Due to an increase in demand for funding, since 2009 UWTC has both a Spring and Fall Hunger & Food Security Grant Cycle.  Any Tompkins County non-profit health & human services organization can apply for Hunger & Food Security funding. Elaine Quaroni, on behalf of the Community Investment Committee, expressed appreciation for the generosity of the Ithaca community in its support of area organizations that meet hunger and food security needs.

The thirteen local nonprofit organizations receiving a total of $44,000 Hunger and Food Security Programs and Services are:

Brooktondale Community Center: $3,500
Caroline Food Pantry

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga: $2,000
Samaritan Center Personal Needs Products

Challenge Workforce Solutions: $2,000
Job Club

Community Dinner at Dryden United Methodist Church: $700
Community Dinner

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County: $2,225
Floral Ave Community Garden

Food Bank of the Southern Tier: $11,000
Tompkins County Mobile Food Pantry and Healthy Harvest Initiative

Freeville Community Council: $400
Freeville Food Pantry

The Learning Web: $4,000
Youth Outreach

Loaves and Fishes: $4,500
Free Meal Program

Newfield Kitchen Cupboard: $1,100
Newfield Kitchen Cupboard Food Pantry

The Salvation Army: $9,000
Direct Assistance Program

Tompkins Community Action: $3,000
Emergency Food Pantry

Women’s Opportunity Center: $575
Food for the Day

Youth and Philanthropy (YAP) is an initiative designed to provide youth with a formal and structured opportunity to take an active role in their communities and think about philanthropy as an important part of their lives.  The program is intended to inspire and provide youth with a greater understanding of current community conditions, explore individual leadership abilities, participate in team-building activities, learn about charitable giving, develop a grant application, receive and review grants, and invest money in community programs that are making a difference for local residents and organizations. YAP is made possible by the generous support of the Park Foundation. Cindy Noble, UWTC Youth and Philanthropy Chair, worked with the fifteen YAP Council Members this year.

At the December 5th YAP Grant Awards Ceremony held at the UWTC Livermore Building, local high school students presented nine grants totaling $25,000 to the following non-profit organizations:

Alternatives Impact: $5,200
VITA Tax Program Support

Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes: $1,500
Bathroom Accessibility Project

Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga: $2,000
Transportation Assistance Program

Challenge Workforce Solutions: $4,532
Finger Lakes Fresh Food Hub

Cooperative Extension Association of Tompkins County: $3,600
Healthy Food For All

Family and Children’s Service of Ithaca: $2,400
Stipends for Interns Mentoring At-Risk Youth

Groton Youth Commission: $2,268
Groton Youth Summer Academic and Nutrition Support

Men of Color Council: $1,000
The Men of Color Council Conference 2014

Women’s Opportunity Center of Tompkins County: $2,500
Non-Traditional Scholarships

2013 Youth and Philanthropy Council Members:

Cairo Archer, Ithaca High School
Jonathan Becker, Dryden High School
Frida Brown, Ithaca High School
Alexandra Griffin, Dryden High School
Jordan Hackworth, Ithaca High School
Joshua Hutchinson, Dryden High School
Katherine Johnson, Dryden High School
Ned Lauber, Lehman Alternative Community School
Jordan Lynch, Dryden High School
Ben Stewart, Ithaca High School
Stephen Stover, Ithaca High School
Ally Strednak, Newfield High School
Troy Sutfin, Dryden High School
Erin Walker, Dryden High School
Izzy Witty, Lehman Alternative Community School

The Ithaca College Student United Way (IC SUW)  is a student-led initiative dedicated to community-wide charitable and volunteer efforts. IC SUW raises funds to award to local nonprofits through a competitive grant process. IC SUW provides students with experience in the nonprofit sector and grant writing, as well as opportunities to engage
with the local community and encourage youth empowerment. This year, IC SUW leaders awarded $3,500 to three local agencies:

Challenge Workforce Solutions: $2,000
Community Transition

Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI): $500
Fine Arts Booster Group

Ithaca Health Alliance: $1,000
Ithaca Health Fund: Dental Assistance for Persons with Low Income

v9i47