CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY:
Building a Stronger Tompkins County Together
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On Friday, May 7th
We Celebrate National Childcare Provider Day
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This special day recognizes child care providers, teachers, and other educators of young children everywhere. These extraordinary members of our community help parents and families to raise the next generation of thinkers, doers, and change makers. They also provide families with the stability and support they need to continue to engage in the community, contribute to the economy, and pursue their passions. Our community's child care providers are essential to support a healthy, vibrant, and innovative Tompkins County. |
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As we celebrate this important day, we want to recognize our funded partner Downtown Ithaca Children's Center because providing a creative and culturally diverse environment that fosters the emotional, social, and intellectual development of children is exactly what our community needs.
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The Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center (DICC) provides innovative, affordable child-care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, plus after-school and summer-camp programs for school-age children throughout Tompkins County, on a full time or drop-in basis. With a whole-child approach, warm staff, pioneering educational curriculum, supportive environment, and healthful, freshly prepared food, DICC provides a diverse community where children are happy, healthy, and prepared to enter their next educational setting. |
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Their staff is trained in the following:
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2nd Step: A program that supports social and emotional resilience. Success in social emotional development provides the basis for all other developmental areas. If a child feels secure about him/herself, and has interpersonal skills to interact with peers and adults, the likelihood of success is great!
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Effectively supporting children who are exhibiting behavior challenges: Every early childhood program will have children who go through typical developmental “testing the limits”. DICC supports these times, and is also prepared to support children who are acting out due to additional stresses in their life. Teaching teams work together to immediately create a behavior support plan, allowing for greater consistency and follow up for each child. This helps children to find skills for dealing with their feelings, and to keep all other children cared for.
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Developmentally Appropriate Programing: Teaching staff is trained in assessing, on an on-going basis, the current level of development, coordinating with parents for optimal success, and creating a curriculum that inspires natural steps in growth. Classrooms are set up to invite children to explore and learn together, and teachers are present to guide children, to provide a safe and nurturing environment at all times
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For more information about Downtown Ithaca Children's Center visit www.dicc.org. |
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As we celebrate this important day, we want to recognize our funded partner Ithaca Child Care Center because providing families with the highest standard of child-inspired, professionally-nurtured care and opportunities for learning is extremely important for our community.
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Since 1973, IC3 has remained committed to providing quality child care, repeatedly receiving state and national recognition for their high quality and innovative programming. Over 20 years ago, they became the first child care center in the county to become nationally accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), an indication of high standards of quality.
IC3 also takes great pride in staff development and retention. Currently 64% of IC3 teachers have been with IC3 for 10 years or more; some for over 20 years!
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IC3 offers programs for children ages 8 weeks – 11 years old. We serve roughly 250 children in the community per year and operate out of three different locations: |
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IC3 Main Campus offers care for infants, toddlers, and pre-k. All of our infant and toddler classrooms at our main campus are part of our Continuity of Care Program in which children stay with the same caregivers from when they start as infants until they are 3 years old.
The Continuity of Care Program has been established in order for children to form long term trust and secure attachments to their caregivers. This model not only offers children & families more consistency of caregivers but also means that children are able to experience long-term relationships with each other.
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IC3 at Kendal is a unique program that serves people by combining two stages of life, childhood and the senior years. Located in the Kendal retirement community, IC3 at Kendal provides children a place to have daily interactions with a grandparent figure. The residents of Kendal volunteer in the classrooms and spend time reading, talking, interacting, and eating with the children.
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IC3 After School is an ideal transition time from school to home. IC3 offers a small, hands-on after school program for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade enrolled in the Ithaca City School District. Children can enroll for 2, 3, or 5 days a week. After School is focused on allowing the children enrolled to relax and unwind after a structured day of school. A combination of hands on activities, board games, arts and crafts, physical games and homework time are offered. Children from the Ithaca City School District elementary schools can attend IC3 After School and are bused directly from school to our program. Busses arrive at varying times depending on the school and traffic.
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For more information about Ithaca Child Care Center visit icthree.org. |
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This year your gifts to the Community Care Fund provided 3,414 children with affordable, quality childcare and 661 youth with safe after school programs.
THANK YOU!
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And in May
We Celebrate Older Americans Month
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Every May, the Administration for Community Living, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, leads our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month and this year their theme is Communities of Strength. Older adults have built resilience and strength over their lives through successes, failures, joys, and difficulties. Their stories and contributions help to support and inspire others. Through the month of May we celebrate the strength of older adults and place special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities.
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As we celebrate, we want to recognize our funded partner Lifelong who is enhancing the lives of older adults in Tompkins County because having a vibrant hub for a wide variety of activities geared to older adults throughout the county makes our community stronger.
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For over 60 years, Lifelong has been a vibrant hub for adults 50 and over. Based at their downtown center and throughout the county, their programs offer breadth and quality. From free income tax and Medicare counseling to on-going classes and lectures that stimulate participants mentally, physically, socially and creatively, Lifelong functions as a welcoming “second home” for hundreds of participants. Additionally Lifelong coordinates over 400 volunteers who serve 50 local not-for-profits.
Below is a list of some of the activities Lifelong offers:
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Community Senior Groups: Lifelong Countywide program provides support and involvement to the far reaches of Tompkins County by coordinating Senior groups. These groups meet regularly for social, educational and community service activities. Each group organizes its own unique activities. Activities include day-trips, volunteer projects and weekly dish-to-pass events with entertainment.
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Walk Program: This program offers a great way to explore the beauty and culture of Tompkins County while increasing strength, improving balance and enjoying the company and knowledge of peers.
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Creative & Language Arts: Lifelong offers several options year round for those interested in pursuing creative activities including clay, watercolor, and theater.
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Health & Wellness: Activities include Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Zumba, Dance, and Strength Training.
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As we celebrate, we want to recognize our funded partner Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) because they are helping homeowners age in place and continue living independently by providing health and safety repairs that prevent small problems from becoming larger, expensive ones.
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Here is how their "Minor Repairs" program works:
ELIGIBILITY:
Homeowners 60 years and older, homeowners with disabilities of any age, and/or single heads of household with dependents throughout Tompkins County.
COST:
Skilled labor is provided at no cost. Clients pay only the cost of materials. Depending on availability of funding, we may be able to help clients pay for the purchases of materials.
TYPES OF REPAIRS:
Repairs related to health and safety are a top priority. Typical repairs include fixing or replacing deteriorated steps, improving lighting, alleviating trip hazards, adding handrails and grab bars, fixing leaky faucets, replacing broken windows, and more.
If you are eligible, you can download an application for the Minor Repairs Program here.
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INHS is dedicated to expanding housing opportunities for low and moderate-income residents of Tompkins County and the surrounding region. It seeks to foster communities that embrace diversity, equity, and sustainability in ways that produce lasting outcomes. In addition to the Minor Repairs Program, INHS offers the following support:
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High quality rental units at affordable price, including senior housing
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Home buyer education courses, including first-time homebuyer courses, post-purchase courses, and home inspection courses
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Financial assistance for first-time homebuyers
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Financial assistance for major home repairs
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For more information about the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services visit www.ithacanhs.org. |
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This year your gifts to the Community Care Fund provided 1573 seniors & individuals with disabilities with supportive services and 483 seniors with access to cultural activities.
THANK YOU!
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WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE HARD WORK AND COMPASSION OF ALL OF OUR FUNDED PARTNERS! |
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Learn more about our additional Funder Partner Agencies in our future
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Corporate Cornerstone Partners (CCPs) 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 programs and services.
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CSP Management has been managing rental properties in the area for over 30 years. They manage apartment units in the Ithaca, Trumansburg, Dryden & Surrounding Areas. Their expertise, friendly staff, excellent service and reputation are unequaled. So whether you’re an individual looking for a rental home, a property owner looking for an experienced property management company, or even a homeowner looking to renovate, look no further than this proud UWTC Corporate Cornerstone Partner.
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With 55 years of experience, HOLT Architects has a large and loyal client base, a passion for sustainable design, and decades of institutional experience upon which to build exciting and innovative futures for clients. They stay at the leading edge of how facilities positively impact today’s occupants and bring a specialized depth of knowledge to every project and are proud to be UWTC Corporate Cornerstone Partners.
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For more than 160 years, M&T has helped people and businesses manage their money and make sound financial decisions, so they can live better today and realize their goals for tomorrow. Whether you're buying a home, building a business, or broadening your career, find out how they're making a difference, every day, in communities throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC. M&T Bank is proud to be a UWTC Corporate Cornerstone Partner.
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Sciarabba Walker was founded in 1976. The vision was to establish a large, locally owned and operated, professional CPA firm dedicated to client service, technical expertise, and a business model designed to meet evolving local needs. From the beginning, Sciarabba Walker made community service a core value. Their goal was to develop a staff of generous, well-rounded professionals who put their work in a higher context. Today, they offer a comprehensive range of accounting and business advisory services to many notable companies, financial institutions, nonprofits, local governments, and friends and neighbors who inspire us to greater achievement in our own profession. They carry on the Sciarabba Walker business philosophy, traditions, and values, while we help shape the future of the region and are proud to be a UWTC Corporate Cornerstone Partner.
For more information visit their website swcllp.com.
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THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CORPORATE CORNERSTONE PARTERS!
Learn more about our additional Corporate Cornerstone Partners in our future UWTC Spotlight newsletters or by visiting uwtc.org/ccp.
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You may receive additional information on charitable organizations from the NY Office of the Attorney General on their website www.charitiesnys.com or by calling (212) 416-8401. You may also receive UWTC’s last financial report by going to www.uwtc.org/public-reporting.
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