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Autumn is upon us.
We say farewell to warm summer days, family picnics, and jumps in the pond. We get out our wool socks and warm sweaters, glory in the changing colors of the leaves, and realize another season has turned.
With that in mind, this has been a time of both sorrow and joy for InterFaith Works. On Saturday, we bade goodbye to our friend and colleague, Denise Jochem Robertson whose untimely death has left us all a bit bereft. If you would like to read my eulogy to her, click here. I will forever cherish her sweet smile and willing nature.
InterFaith Works' Food Justice work continues to grow and serve this community. This past Saturday, our Center for Dialogue & Action held its inaugural Food & Faith Equity Forum with panelists from many aspects of food justice sharing their contributions and journeys to make sure everyone eats. To that end, with the support of St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Mother Cabrini Foundation we distributed over ONE TON of food in a single day – fresh, wholesome vegetables, and even pure honey! Thanks to Tucker Missionary Baptist Church for hosting this event.
Earlier this week, our refugee resettlement staff hit a new record – nine families arrived on one day! All needed a furnished home, clothing, food, and more. This could only be accomplished with the dedication of the housing and case management staff, as well as the incredible work of several teams of volunteers who set up those 9 apartments. The airport has never seen such joy and laughter! Congratulations to everyone who made this happen.
We also celebrated our Senior Companions last week, highlighting the 50 volunteers who have collectively served 272 elders this year interrupting the isolation they often experience, and giving them the chance to continue to live in their own homes. This group of volunteers gave 37,000 hours of service this year, and among other activities, they assist with daily living tasks, such as grocery shopping and bill paying; provide friendship and companionship; alert doctors and family members to potential problems; and give respite to family caregivers. Included in this are 15 new companions and 35 new clients!
Very soon, we will be launching our fall Coat Drive – and we need everything from baby coats to adults! If you are looking to get involved in a place that brings joy to many, give us a call. Happy Fall!
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The InterFaith Leadership Awards Dinner (ILAD) took place on Tuesday, September 24th and was an incredible experience with nearly 700 guests in attendance. Guests were moved by the opening prayer and embrace offered by Imam Amir Durić and Rabbi Moshe Saks, as well as a powerful Land Acknowledgement read by Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter. The Syracuse Orchestra Quartet played beautiful music during the reception. As CEO/President Beth Broadway pointed out, this event "represented every demographic, geographic, and ethnographic of humanity." Deep gratitude goes out to Dr. Ruth Chen and Chancellor Kent Syverud from Syracuse University for serving as this year's honorary Co-Chairs, Mrs. Aminy Audi, President, and CEO of Stickley Furniture | Mattress for serving as the Chair of the Honoree Selection Committee, and to Mitch Gelman, CEO of WCNY, for sharing his talents as our emcee. We are grateful for the eight ILAD honorees who are building greatness in Central New York and inspiring us all to do the same. | |
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Spiritual Care Day: Spiritual Care in Addiction Treatment
Thursday, October 24 - 8:00 am to 12:30 pm
May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, Syracuse
| Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It affects people of all economic strata, ages, sexual orientations, races, ethnic identities and religions. How do we as professional chaplains in hospitals and correctional facilities – together with communities of faith – respond to the needs of those facing addiction and overdose deaths, and the needs of their families and friends? This program will address such issues in congregational and institutional settings and will help both chaplains and community-based spiritual caregivers to minister to patients, family and friends. | |
Spiritual Care Week is a time of both celebration and education. Organizations and institutions throughout the world will recognize spiritual care providers as well as the spiritual care given through professional chaplaincy and pastoral counseling within our communities.
The 2024 theme is: “Chaplains Beyond Religious Roles.” Chaplains are viewed through a lens whereby they collaborate in many different roles with many different professionals to provide holistic interdisciplinary care, which otherwise would not be complete if the chaplain were not included.
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Dr. Tolani Ajagbe, FASAM
Chief of Psychiatry and Medical Director, Addiction Treatment Services at Crouse Health
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The Rev. Jana Biesanz, CT
Director of Mission Outreach and
Education for Francis House
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The Rev. Kate Day
InterFaith Works Managing
Chaplain at Crouse Health
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The Rev. Robert Searle
Staff Chaplain, Addiction Treatment
Services Ministry at Crouse Health
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The Independent Potters Association (IPA) partners with a local charity within CNY to raise money. Each charity receives funds raised for two consecutive years. We just completed the 2nd year event with IPA and raised $6,560 to date, all of which goes to the Center for New Americans! We are so thankful to IPA, Clayscapes Pottery, Middle Ages Brewing, Benjamin's on Franklin, and all the participants for making a huge impact. | |
Rhonda Butler, our Community Engagement Manager in the Center for New Americans, greeted folks who came out for the Northside Festival. This event was held in the 800 block of N. Salina St. We provided information about citizenship classes, health and wellness events, and the programs available at InterFaith Works. Participants enjoyed entertainment, arts & crafts, games, raffles, and food! | |
The Wescott Street Cultural Festival celebrates diversity and uniqueness through food, music, art, dance, and culture. Several IFW staff marched in the parade, representing the organization. This annual event is open to the entire CNY community to visit and see it is a great place to live, work, shop and play. The festival began as a statement of neighborhood pride and has been a Westcott neighborhood tradition since 1991. | | |
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Faith & Food Equity Forum
On Saturday, October 5, the Center for Dialogue & Action presented a Faith & Food Equity Forum in conjunction with a fresh food giveaway at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church. This forum moderated by Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter, and several special guest speakers educated attendees on ways to fight against and overcome food injustice. Sponsors for the event included St. Joseph's Health, St. Peter's Health Partners, Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, and Wegmans. This event allowed us to distribute almost 400 bags of fresh produce!
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Fall Series: Betts Branch Public Library
4862 S. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13205
(Parking Lot in the Back)
Began October 9, 2024
Wednesday Evenings | 5pm - 7pm
Continues: 10/16, 10/23, 10/30, 11/6, 11/13
There is no fee for this program.
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For more information, please contact Kionna at 315.449.3552 x235. | |
Celebrating the Pieces of our Puzzle
This year’s Senior Companion Luncheon took place at the Collegian Hotel and Suites on Tuesday, October 1st. This was a volunteer recognition event which afforded the Center for Health Aging the opportunity to thank volunteers for their service and dedication. Over the past year, Senior Companions dedicated 36,835 hours to helping 272 older adults. They provided friendly visits, played games, shared meals, went for walks, and so much more. InterFaith Works was privileged to honor four Senior Companions who completed one year of service, three who completed 5 years of service, one who completed 10 years, and one Senior Companion who completed 20 years! We appreciate their faithful dedication to InterFaith Works and our service to older adults.
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OMA Art Show
Residents at Sedgwick Heights created art pieces and celebrated their work with family, friends, and the community. Opening Minds Through Art Program (OMA) is an intergenerational abstract art program designed for residents who may experience dementia or some level of memory decline, as an outlet for individuals to creatively express themselves through art. OMA launched at Sedgwick Heights at the beginning of 2024.
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Closing Out the Fiscal Year on a High Note
The Center for New Americans recently finished the 2023-2024 fiscal year recording historic numbers of clients served. Within this fiscal year, CNA resettled 1,015 individuals, setting up 314 homes. In the month of October, CNA is expecting 145 families, 11 of whom arrived just last week. In this new fiscal year, CNA is expecting to resettle 1,045 individuals. We are incredibly proud of our CNA staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication in making the experience for New Americans a dignifying and welcoming one.
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If you would like us to promote your community event, please email us at info@ifwcny.org 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 on our website's Bulletin Board space.
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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 48 years with programs that include the Center for Healthy Aging, the Center for New Americans, and the El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action.
InterFaith Works of CNY | 1010 James St. | Syracuse, NY 13203
Phone: 315-449-3552 | Fax: 315-449-3103 | Email: info@ifwcny.org | interfaithworks.org
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