A Healthy Democracy

July 3, 2023

A Healthy Democrocy

The air quality crisis has marred our summer skies lately, resulting from out-of-control fires up north. I am masking outdoors for safety and notice many others are doing the same.

Smog, Acid Rain, or wildfire smoke. Call it what you will, it hangs over us like a burning fog, preventing us from easy access to the outdoors to one another, and to the enjoyment of freedom of movement. In a way, we have become prisoners to air quality.

I have been thinking metaphorically about this new condition, one that many of us have not experienced in this way before. The obvious metaphor is the global climate crisis. Thank you to all who are working so diligently to address this crisis. For me, as a leader of a democracy-building organization, the metaphor has to do with the crisis of a healthy democracy, one that thrives when we can be out in public spaces together, learn about each other, share our stories, and feel welcome wherever we go. The smoke from the wildfire symbolizes the discrimination and exclusion of people who have different appearances, ancestry, or religious beliefs from ours. This haze of the smoke, burning our compassion and care for each other, burning our one-ness as a nation, burning our future.

Let’s call it quits, this hate for refugees, migrants, and New Americans, the same toxic hate for people with darker skin, or who speak English “with an accent” (don’t we all?). Let’s give safety and peace to the LGBTQIA+ communities, and let’s create freedom from fear in everyone’s lives. Let’s clear the air of mistrust and take down the flags with swear words on them. Let’s fly a red, white, and blue flag together, as one nation under God, no matter how The Holy manifests itself in our differing scriptures and practices.

If we are going to survive as a democracy, we need to affirm the humanity in every person, in all our manifestations, with all our gifts, contributions and hopes, and dreams for our lives in a free country. Our nation was founded on liberty and justice for all, and all of us are the ones who make it so. Happy Independence Day, everyone!

Beth Broadway

President & CEO

Interfaith Leadership Award Dinner

Join us on Thursday, Sept. 7, for the InterFaith Leadership Award Dinner, Faith in Our Future. There is a sense of optimism in our community as well as a revitalization of Onondaga County that coincides with InterFaith Works’ programmatic growth and expanding community outreach. Our community is on the cusp of revitalization and rebirth. Federal and state funds as well as private individuals and corporations are making investments that will have an immediate and long-term impact in ensuring a strong, vibrant future for Syracuse.

At the 2023 InterFaith Leadership Award Dinner, we will honor those who are investing in our community to help ensure its vitality, prosperity, and promise—now and for future generations.

This year's honorees are:

Michael Balanoff, Esq.

President and CEO, Jewish Federation of Central New York

Sharon Brangman, MD

Distinguished Service Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Department Chief, Geriatrics, Upstate Medical University

Dom Cambareri, Esq.

Executive Director, Syracuse Challenger Baseball, and

Founder and Board Member, Carrier Park Field of Dreams Athletic Complex

Ruth Chen, PhD

Professor of Practice, Syracuse University College of Engineering and Computer Science

Anthony Davis

Superintendent, Syracuse City School District

Sharon Owens

Deputy Mayor, City of Syracuse

Tim Saka

Board President, CNY RISE Center

Kent Syverud

Chancellor and President, Syracuse University

Click here to learn more.

Digital Inclusion Celebration

Our community's older adults who completed Digital Inclusion courses with our digital navigators were celebrated by InterFaith Works and Spectrum. The Digital Inclusion program at InterFaith Works received a generous donation of $45,000 from Spectrum. Rita Paniagua, a Syracuse Common Councilor At-Large, Olive Sephuma, the COO of InterFaith Works, and Alice Kim, the Charter Director of Government Affairs, were also present to congratulate the graduates on completing the program. They also spoke about the significance of continuing this program and heard enthusiastic testimonials from past participants.

InterFaith Works & Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company Collaborate on Jackie Warren-Moore Festival

This year, PRPAC will be partnering with InterFaith Work's Center for Dialogue and Action to bring poetry, monologue, performance, and open dialogue to the Syracuse community. A collaborative project, the Festival seeks to preserve the legacy of celebrated community member and Poet Laureate Jackie Warren-Moore and inspire both young and old to use their voices and creativity to inspire positive change.

Join us for an evening to remember on Saturday, July 15th, 7 pm, at the Kirkland Hall Stage at Plymouth Church!

UnitedHealthcare $215,000 Grant Supports One to One Program

Thank you to UnitedHealthcare for a generous $215,000 Empowering Health grant to support InterFaith Works One to One Program, which sparks joy and social connection for seniors in long-term care. The program provides volunteer visits, social events, music and memory programming, as well as intergenerational programs and events. We’re honored to be among the community-based organizations receiving $11 million in total grants across 11 states to help people live healthier lives.

We are recruiting One to One volunteers!

The One to One Program matches nursing home residents who do not have regular visitors with volunteers to spark joy and social connection.

For more information, contact:

Ruby Lopez

315-449-3552, ext. 297

[email protected]

Complete the One to One volunteer application

Recruiting Senior Companions Around CNY

Senior Companions: We are recruiting Senior Companions to serve in Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga and Madison counties. Training and stipends are provided. Volunteers must be at least 55 years of age.

The program focuses on providing assistance and friendship to older adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks, such as shopping or paying bills. Through this program, volunteers help seniors live independently longer and provide respite to family caregivers.

To learn more, contact:

Kayla Kuntz

315-449-3552, ext. 110

[email protected]

Learn more

Employment at InterFaith Works

Click the boxes to learn more about each position and apply today!

See all available positions here!

El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action Seeks Dialogue Facilitators

Contact Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter at 315-449-3552, ext. 111,

or email [email protected].

Community Bulletin Board

If you would like us to promote your community event, please email us at [email protected] with the word "Bulletin" in the subject line. Please include:

Event name/title
Time
Date
Location
Any related costs
Contact information

We will make every effort to include your announcement in our bimonthly updates. Due to limited space, submissions will be reviewed for inclusion and may be abridged if necessary.

View the Community Bulletin Board

About InterFaith Works of CNY

InterFaith Works affirms the dignity of each person and every faith tradition, builds racial and religious equity, and creates bridges of understanding among us. The agency has served the Central New York community for 47 years with programs that include the Center for New Americans, El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action, and Senior Services.

InterFaith Works of CNY

1010 James St.

Syracuse, NY 13203

Phone: 315-449-3552 Fax: 315-449-3103

Email: [email protected]

www.interfaithworkscny.org

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