THE MANY FACES OF
OF TOMPKINS COUNTY
2017 – 2018 Community Report “I have the privilege to work with these and so many other exceptional community members who care deeply about the residents of this community.”
Letter from James
Thank you for viewing UWTC’s annual report. In the midst of this unfolding organizational Whether you have chosen a print or electronic transformation, it periodically felt as if we were format, you will find a snapshot of the work done building an airplane as it was taxiing down the by committed and caring volunteers and staff. runway. UWTC’s Board, volunteers, and staff are The 2017-18 fiscal year presented a range of to be commended for boldly moving forward in unanticipated opportunities, and many came in the face of major change. the form of real challenges. A special thank you goes to Heather McDaniel Cornell University’s Andy Noel and Adrian Durant and John Rudd for stepping in last September graciously gave UWTC their trust to partner in to lead our community campaign. For the bringing generators to the U.S. Virgin Islands record, September is not the ideal time for following last year’s devastating hurricanes – assuming campaign leadership roles. John and Power the USVI. This provided UWTC finance Heather were (and remain) community and director John Peeples and I the opportunity to UWTC champions. learn a lot about the purchase, and land and water I have the privilege to work with these and so transport of durable goods. Thanks to generous many other exceptional community members individuals and volunteers, UWTC also helped who care deeply about the residents of this facilitate the shipping of complete classrooms community. Their caring leads to concrete and needed supplies to Houston and Florida. actions that make life better for all. At home, our agency partners continued to Thank you and all who helped make life provide meaningful services that change people’s stronger in Tompkins County. lives. Internally, UWTC volunteers completed a planning and operational cycle with the creation of a new business model for community engagement and impact, asking and answering the question: How can UWTC become a better and more inclusive community partner with James Brown, President and CEO individuals and employers? United Way Tompkins County
Page 2 United Way of Tompkins County 2018 Day of Action
United Way of Tompkins County Education helps people meet their immediate, Children and youth succeed basic needs while creating lasting in school, work and life. change by strengthening the three building blocks for a good life: Education, Financial Stability and Health. Financial Stability Individuals and families have improved stability and self-sufficiency
Health Children, seniors and adults have improved physical emotional, and mental well-being.
Page 3 THERE IS A WAY To support local mothers
Two years ago,14-year-old Anna discovered she was pregnant just a few weeks before giving birth. Searching for support, Anna found her way to the Child Development Council’s Teen Pregnancy/Parenting Program. Through the Child Development Council (CDC), she received transportation assistance, baby supplies, and information on birthing, childcare, and parenting. The CDC helped Anna understand her rights and accommodations as a young mother, enabling her to shorten her school day so that she could spend more time with her baby. Thanks to hard work, support from her family, and CDC’s continued advocacy, Anna is on track to complete high school. Anna can continue working with CDC until her child is five years old, so her success story is far from over.
There is a way, the United Way. Because of UWTC funding, Anna was able to transition to motherhood with a village of support and encouragement.
Page 4 Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. With YOUR help in 2017
Raised for Hunger and Food Security
Families Seniors received tax received childcare counseling services assistance
Our Mission: Vision Statement Community Values Working with others, we will build We, as a Tompkins County an organization that supports Organization, understand: To improve individuals in their efforts to The culture of this community live self-sufficient, productive affects our employees, our lives by lives and connect families with customers, and our business. We their communities. We will also benefit when others succeed, mobilizing encourage diverse agencies and and we must be engaged. communities to engage each We affirm that we will: other to achieve mutual goals the caring and models while expecting Actively promote conversations fairness, dignity, and respect. around shared values that celebrate inclusiveness, power of our excellence, independence Disability statement and generosity. We commit to communities In order to address the needs collaboration with others to of individuals with disabilities, create a culture of tolerance, United Way of Tompkins County is respect, and sustainability. committed to working with local We will continue to develop organizations in our community and implement organizational that provide opportunities for policies and practices that mirror individuals with disabilities to lead our communities’ assets fully inclusive lives. This applies and opportunities. to all programs across Education, Therefore, we commit our Financial Stability, and Health. organization to be fully engaged Your support for the United Way in building a community Community Care Fund helps people where hope is encouraged, with all abilities maximize their and equality is the norm. independence as fully engaged members of our community.
Page 5 Corporate Cornerstone Partners 2018 Day of Action
Platinum Corporate Cornerstone Partners $50,000 and above provide the infrastructure upon which UWTC works and serves. This generous and committed group of individuals and employers join together and underwrite UWTC’s administrative costs so that 100% of all other donations can be used for needed program services.
Diamond Circle Diamond Gold $25,000 — $49,999 $10,000 — $24,999 $5,000 — $9,999
Anonymous
Nexamp, Inc.
Page 6 Silver $1,500 — $4,999
Anonymous
Corporate Cornerstone Partners, investments, and earned income underwrite Bronze $100 — $1,499 UWTC’s administrative Baker Travel costs so that 100% of all other donations can be used for needed program services
Page 7 “It’s my goal to help someone every day. My theory is, everybody is hungry everyday.”
Why I Volunteer 2018 Day of Caring
“For those who can’t feed themselves, I like to At the 2017 UWTC Day of provide not just food but good food. When food Caring food drive, Joan Barber, a longtime United Way volunteer is given with no strings attached, in a kind way, working through the Ithaca Kitchen it’s an obvious service of love and caring.” Cupboard, coordinated and organized food donations which - Joan Barber, Food Coordinator from Ithaca totaled more than 1,000 pounds. Kitchen Cupboard
Page 8 Student United Way
Our Student United Way Ithaca College Student United Way groups represent current The Ithaca College Student United Way (IC SUW) engages the community through volunteerism and and next generations of annual events, such as their Family Carnival. All IC SUW community leaders. United fundraising goes to support their annual competitive Way of Tompkins County grant cycle to fund local nonprofit organizations. supports two local Student Cornell University Student United Way United Ways, Cornell The Cornell Student United Way leads and supports University and Ithaca a range of service activities and fundraising efforts College Student United Way. including the annual Duff Ball. Fundraising by the Cornell Student United Way supports the Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service jobs program for local high school students.
Finger Lakes Toy Library Ithaca Child Newspaper Ad $240 Catholic Charities Personal Needs Product Program $500 Ithaca Health Alliance Total Grants in Fall 2017 Free Clinic Services $760
Total $1, 500
Page 9 Student Engagement
“Usually as a teenager, you Summers of Service would not expect to be able The Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Program provides high school students with paid summer jobs at to deal with $25,000 and act United Way partner organizations. During Summers of as ‘adults.’ However, YAP was Service 2017, sixteen students were employed at local a student centered program nonprofits, where they learned about health and human where all the decisions were services in Tompkins County. made by teenagers. I learned that we can deal with Youth and Philanthropy Program (YAP) Youth and Philanthropy (YAP) provides youth with a important topics too!” greater understanding of current community needs and - Jisoo Ha, YAP 2017 opportunities to explore individual leadership abilities, participate in team-building activities, learn about charitable giving, review grants, and invest in community programs that impact local residents and organizations.
FOCUS on Community Understanding Service UWTC staff and high school YAP students work for several weeks at Dryden Middle School to hold a competitive grant process. In 2017-18, students from Dryden Middle School awarded $2,000 to local organizations serving the Town of Dryden. FOCUS awards are funded by the Dryden Youth Opportunity Fund and Cornell University Student United Way.
Page 10 2017 YAP Awards
Total YAP Grants in Fall 2017
Advocacy Center of Tompkins County Golden Opportunity (GO) Critical Safety Needs Fund $1,700 GO Tutoring & Mentorship $1,165 Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Ithaca Health Alliance Transportation Assistance $5,000 Enhanced Computer Patient Challenge Industries, Inc Support for the Ithaca Free Clinic $3,000 Ability in Bloom/Ithaca Commons Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins Mobile Vending Cart $1,935 County Inc. Finger Lakes Toy Library, Inc Website Upgrade & Rebranding $3,000 Fill the Gaps $1,000 The Discovery Trail Foodnet Meals on Wheels Kids Discover the Trail! $2,000 Blizzard Bag Program $3,200 Tompkins County Workers Center, Inc Tompkins County Living Wage Education & Advocacy $3,000
Total $25,000
Page 11 Community Care Fund Grant Awards
Education Financial Stability Health $269,980 Total $281,650 Total $268,133 Total Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes • Children and youth succeed • Individuals and families have • Children, seniors and adults in school, work, and life. improved financial stability have improved physical, • Young children enter and self-sufficiency. emotional, and mental school ready to succeed. • Individuals and families build well-being. • Families have access to financial assets and improve • People have access to quality, affordable childcare. financial management skills. nutritious food. • Parents and caregivers support • People secure needed • People of all ages are active children’s healthy development. resources to address crises. and build social connections • Youth succeed academically, • People develop skills through recreational activities. develop job skills and to gain, maintain, and • Individuals and families can engage in civic life. improve employment. utilize substance abuse, mental • People have knowledge of and health, and conflict access to supportive services. resolution counseling. • People can obtain medications for acute illnesses.
Community Dispute Resolution Center Ithaca Welcomes Refugees The Learning Web Parenting Plan Mediation Global Roots Play School, Youth Exploration $11,330 Childcare Tuition Program $13,000 Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center Assistance $10,000 Groton Community Council Tuition Assistance $12,250 Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service Groton Youth Services $3,000 Family and Children’s Service of Ithaca Help for Every Teen $3,500 Groton Public Library $1,800 Open Doors $35,000 Brooktondale Community Center Groton Recreation $1,600 Family and Community Development, Brooktondale Community Lansing Community Council Cornell Cooperative Extension Center Summer Camp $2,000 Lansing Youth Services $3,000 Education Parents Apart $5,000 Child Development Council McLean Community Council, Inc. Family Reading Partnership Family Services Program $38,000 McLean Community Hall $1,500 Read-Along Support for Child Care Resource and Newfield Community Council, Inc. Rural Families $10,500 Referral $10,500 Newfield Recreation Summer Finger Lakes Independence Center Danby Community Council Day Camp $3,000 Be Ready! Emergency/Disaster Youth Program $750 Newfield Public Library, Reammer Preparedness $5,000 Dryden Community Council Reading Program $2,000 Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. Town of Dryden Summer Newfield Before and After GIAC Youth Program $40,000 Recreation $4,000 School Programs $2,000 GIAC Teen Program $20,000 Southworth Library Ulysses Community Council Ithaca Community Childcare Center Summer Reading $600 Trumansburg After School Emergency Access Enfield Community Council, Inc. Program, Inc. $2,350 Scholarship Fund $9,500 Enfield Teen Program $1,000 Trumansburg/Ulysses Youth Ithaca Welcomes Refugees Freeville Community Council Commission $5,000 Global Roots Play School, Freeville Summer Recreation Ulysses Philomathic Library Childcare Tuition Program $2,500 Summer Reading Program $800 Assistance $10,000 Groton Community Council Varna Community Association Izzy’s Closet $1,000 Facility and Program The Discovery Trail Updates $4,500 Kids Discover the Trail! $4,000
Page 12 Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga The Learning Web GreenStar Community Projects Immigrant Services Youth Outreach $32,000 Increasing Food Self-Reliance Program $10,000 Tompkins Learning Partners, Inc. Among Hungry Youth $8,000 Samaritan Center Emergency Adult Literacy $10,000 Loaves and Fishes of Tompkins County Services: 2018-2020 $30,000 Women’s Opportunity Center Free Meal Program $20,000 Challenge Industries, Inc. The Leadership Employment McLean Community Council, Inc. Contract Production: and Developing Skills McClean Beautification Creating Opportunities for (LEAD) Program $15,000 Committee $450 Employment $20,000 YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County Newfield Community Council Job Club $6,700 Open Doors Scholarship Newfield Kitchen Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. Program $15,000 Cupboard $1,000 Finacial StabilityFinacial Hospitality Employment Training Cooperative Extension Association Ulysses Community Council Program (HETP) $10,000 of Tompkins County Trumansburg Food Pantry $2,500 Human Services Coalition Caroline Food Pantry (CFP) $1,500 Danby Community Council of Tompkins County Community Dinners at Dryden Youth Grants $1,000 Continuum of Care United Methodist Church Newsletter $1,000 Coordinator $8,000 Community Dinners $3,000 Enfield Community Council, Inc. Legal Assistance of Western Food Bank of the Southern Tier Enfield Community New York, Inc. (Ithaca Office) Direct Service Hunger Relief Newsletter $2,000 Crisis Services $4,000 Programs in Tompkins Lansing Community Council LawNY Collaborative County $8,000 Community Care – Town Reentry Project $4,000 Foodnet Meals on Wheels of Lansing Recreation Opportunities, Alternatives Home Delivered Meals and Program $1,500 and Resources (OAR) Nutrition Counseling $30,000 Tompkins County Senior Citizens’ OAR of Tompkins County: Council Inc., (dba Lifelong) Core Services $9,000 Tax Counseling for the Elderly $3,000
Advocacy Center of Tompkins County Human Services Coalition of McLean Community Council, Inc. Youth Intervention and Tompkins County, Inc. Calling All Teens $3,000 Prevention Services $21,000 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland Newfield Community Council Alcohol & Drug Council of Helpline $7,000 Youth-at-Risk and General Tompkins County, Inc. Ithaca Health Alliance, Inc. Recreation $2,000 Outpatient Clinical Substance Ithaca Free Clinic Patient Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse Abuse Treatment $15,000 Services and Chronic Irm Friendship Center $20,000 American Red Cross, Care Support $35,000 Suicide Prevention & Crisis Service Tompkins County Office Brooktondale Community Center The Crisisline $17,500 Health Emergency Services and Brooktondale Community The Mental Health Association Preparedness $5,000 Center Summer Camp $2,000 in Tompkins County Cancer Resource Center Danby Community Council Kids First Summer Recreation of the Finger Lakes Community Programs $1,000 Program $20,000 Individualized Support for Those Danby Community Council Community Education and Affected by Cancer $7,500 Youth Program $750 Engagement $15,033 Family and Children’s Service of Ithaca Dryden Community Council Tompkins County Senior Citizens’ Mental Health Counseling Southworth Library Large Council Inc., (dba Lifelong) $25,000 Print Materials $300 Volunteers Connected $2,000 Psychiatry $25,000 Enfield Community Council, Inc. Activities $4,400 Franziska Racker Centers, Inc. Enfield School Age Program Ulysses Community Council Early Childhood Feeding Scholarship Fund $3,000 Trumansburg Summer Program $8,000 Enfield Summer Day Camp Recreation Program $3,500 Gadabout Transportation Program $3,000 Services, Inc. 4th and 5th Grade Gadabout Transportation $10,000 Basketball $900 Greater Ithaca Activities Center, Inc. Senior Program $6,000 Recreation $8,000
Page 13 THERE IS A WAY To support local healthcare
Jordan recently came to the Ithaca Free Clinic seeking help, she was uninsured and suffering from PTSD. Because Jordan could no longer afford the medications she required, her physical and mental health were deteriorating. Working with Free Clinic staff and volunteers, Jordan was able to receive proper medical care, interviewed with the insurance navigator on duty, and was qualified for Medicaid. With the help of an IFC advocate, Jordan was able to obtain a year’s supply of free medication. Thanks to her work with IFC, Jordan has been able to secure sustainable housing and even reconnected with her family.
There is a way, the United Way. Because of UWTC funding, people like Jordan and others can receive the medication they need to lead healthy lives.
Page 14 Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. Hunger and Food Security 2018 Day of Action
United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) documents an increased demand for food and personal care items and is focusing its efforts on addressing the many complex hunger issues facing individuals and Raised in Fall 2017 families in our county.
Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Freeville community Council Personal Care Products $2,000 Freeville Food Pantry $3,000 Challenge Industries, Inc. Newfield Community Counsel Job Club $2,500 Newfield Kitchen Cupboard $450 Community Dinners at Dryden Rescue Mission Alliance of Syracuse Community Dinners at Dryden $750 Ithaca Rescue Mission $9,000 Food Bank of the Southern Tier Food Pantry Distribution of fresh produce $8,000 The Learning Web in Tompkins County Youth Outreach $2,250 Foodnet Meals on Wheels Women’s Opportunity Center Foodnet Meals on Wheels $5,985 Food for the Day $1,500
Total Fall 2017 HF Security $35,435
Page 15 Day of Caring/Campaign Kickoff 2017
Wine and Dine 2018
Hunger Hero 2017
Visit uwtc.org if you or your organization would like to join or volunteer at any of our events! Christmas Carol Fund 2017/18
Page 16 Fat Tuesday 2018
Day of Action 2018
Cans Along Cayuga 2018
Campaign Celebration 2018
Page 17 Special Initiatives 2018 Campaign Celebration
UWTC Special Initiatives Urgent RX help solve specific community The Urgent Rx Prescription Program provides free wide challenges identified prescriptions and outreach follow-ups to uninsured individuals with urgent health needs. For more than through ongoing examination 10 years, the Urgent RX program has provided 26,500 of community needs. prescriptions through vouchers. Asset Coalition The Tompkins County Asset Coalition, built by a network of providers, works to support individuals with disabilities by sharing knowledge and resources with the aim of increasing access to employment and achievement of personal financial goals. In 2017-18, the Asset Coalition awarded $1,500 through their Innovation Fund as emergency assistance to individuals with disabilities. Pledge 4 Ithaca The Pledge 4 Ithaca program is a critically important initiative meant to bring light to the unrecognized problem of sexual violence affecting elementary, middle, and high school students. Pledge is currently working on a two-pronged initiative aimed at sharing important resources with local schools and primary care offices to assist in preventing and addressing the issues of sexuality, sexual assault, and consent.
Page 18 Our Board
J.R Clairborne Chair, Board Much thanks goes to my colleagues on the UWTC Board of Directors for granting me the honor to serve as the Board’s Chairman this year. This past fiscal year the agency successfully navigated major challenges through the leadership of our president and CEO James Brown, the unflinching willingness of our mostly new staff to follow him, and the caring hearts of our Directors, volunteers, and community. We successfully coordinated local disaster relief efforts to benefit those left in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, implemented a new process that opens funding opportunities to all non-profit organizations across Tompkins County, supported a necessary staff re-organization, and continued with a coalition of local agencies to help people with disabilities seek financial independence, among other highlights. Thank you to our supporters throughout Tompkins County – and beyond – who continue to help us perform our mission: “to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our communities.”
Simon Barrette Chair, Planning & Community Impact It has been my continued privilege and honor to serve with the United Way of Tompkins County - first as part of a review team for the Community Care Fund, then as a member of the Planning and Community Impact Committee, and now as chair of that committee and member of the Board of Directors. I have experienced firsthand how seriously and competently volunteers and staff act as stewards of the dollars entrusted to the United Way by our community members. The Inclusive Community Partnership model that was introduced in 2017 and applied for the 2018-2020 funding cycle is providing UWTC with the ability to maximize the impact of funds as they relate to the three pillars of Education, Income Stability, and Health. Going forward, UWTC will continue striving to understand the needs of our community and to promote strong, effective partnerships between nonprofits, governmental agencies, and the private sector to address those needs. Thank you to all the volunteers, donors and staff members who collectively give the United Way the power to change lives for the better.
Page 19 Our Board Continued 2018 Campaign Celebration
Leslie Meyerhoff Chair, Community Investment Committee After several years of planning and anticipating, this was the year that we finally implemented our new, more inclusive approach to investing in Tompkins County! Thanks to all of you, it has been a remarkable success, and we look forward to expanding our reach ever further with each funding cycle. This year, we invested over $819,763 from the Community Care Fund to support local initiatives addressing critical needs in our community around the pillars of education, financial stability, and health. This important work could not be done without the dedicated volunteers who thoughtfully and carefully review each grant application as well as the Community Investment Committee, whose commitment to the people of Tompkins County is shown in their hard work and sustained attention to being good stewards of the donations to the Community Care Fund. Thank you for putting your trust in us to do this important work on behalf of the community.
Page 20 Together we truly are making a difference Heather McDaniel John Rudd Co-Chair, Campaign Co-Chair, Campaign in people’s It has been such an honor and Serving as Co-Chair with Heather a privilege to co-chair the 2017- McDaniel of the 2017-2018 2018 Community Campaign with United Way of Tompkins County lives John Rudd. I have worked with Campaign has been an honor. an amazing group of volunteers Thanks to the generous support this year to ensure a successful of so many, we were able to campaign so the United Way receive needed funding that will can support critical services truly have a positive impact on throughout our community. so many people throughout our Together, we truly are making a great community. difference in people’s lives.
Board of Directors
Chair, J.R. Clairborne Chris Fagan Kimberlee M. Swartz Gary Woloszyn Loaves & Fishes Sciencecenter Cornell University Wegmans
1st Vice Chair, Lynnette Scofield David G. Evelyn, M.D. Leslie Meyerhoff James Byrnes William Henry Miller Inn Cayuga Medical Center Cornell University Tompkins Financial, Retired
2nd Vice Chair, Jason Moore Devan Accardo Robert Case John Alexander Tompkins Financial Well Said Media Tompkins Financial CBORD Group, Retired
Immediate Past Chair, Ducson Nguyen Scott P. Keenan John Rudd Lisa Whitaker Gramma Tech, Inc., Ithaca Tompkins Financial Cayuga Medical Center CFCU Community Credit Union Common Council Simon Barrette Lucinda Noble Treasurer, Paul Streeter Graham Gillespie BorgWarner Cornell University, Retired Cornell University HOLT Architects Susan Riley Maryanne Banks President, James Brown Heather D. McDaniel Cornell University Tompkins County Department UWTC Tompkins County Area of Social Services, Retired Development (TCAD) Andrew Quagliata Emeritus Directors Susan Murphy Cornell University Jeffrey Matteson Cornell University, Retired TST BOCES Charlie Walcott Bonita Lindberg Cornell University, Retired Tom Livigne Tompkins Financial Jennifer Tavares Cornell University, Retired Tompkins County Chamber Diane Shafer Brian K. Dickens of Commerce Community Volunteer Ithaca College John Bradac Eugenia Barnaba Chet Osadchey Tompkins Cortland Cornell University, Retired Cayuga Radio Group Community College
Page 21 “I know thatWhy I Giveit’s only right to give - and give often.”
Why I Give 2018 Day of Caring
“Throughout my twenty plus years in Ithaca, UWTC has meant different things at different times for me. In my early days as a journalist, I participated in my employer’s campaign simply because it seemed right to support United Ways’ efforts. Later, as a parent who also joined the sandwich generation, UWTC helped support local agencies vital to my family’s needs such as adult and child daycare, our community centers, and even the non-profit that employed me at the time. Today, as I’ve witnessed more of the breadth and depth of UWTC’s support for our community, I know that it’s only right to give (and give often).”
- J.R. Clairborne, Board Chair 2017-18 and long time supporter of UWTC
Page 22 Financial Statement
Audited financials were prepared by Sciarabba Walker & Co., LLP and are filed with the IRS and NY State and are available to anyone in our offices or upon request.
Page 23 THERE IS A WAY To improve adult literacy
Elijah first attended Tompkins Learning Partners (TLP) one year ago, reading at below the Kindergarten reading level. Elijah is now reading at a 1st grade level, recognizes sight words, and can even figure out new words. He is thrilled with his progress, and loves to read out loud! Jason, another student, has been working on his reading comprehension and writing skills with a tutor for over two years. Recently, Jason compiled a collection of short stories, which his tutor helped him “publish”. A copy of Jason’s book is now on display at the Tompkins County Public Library, featured as work from a “local author.”
There is a way, the United Way. Because of UWTC funding, Elijah and Jason were inspired to read and write thanks to work with the Tompkins Learning Partners.
Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
United Way of Tompkins County 313 N. Aurora Street | Ithaca, NY 14850 Follow us for more news www.uwtc.org | (607) 272-6286 and updates!