Did you know: The Senior Companion Program began in 1986 and was the wellspring for what is now the Senior Services division of InterFaith Works. Over the past few years, Senior Services has developed many new programs and initiatives to serve elders. Learn more at the Senior Services website page. See "Over the Years" in this issue for more information about the origin of the Senior Companion Program.
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InterFaith Works Statement Release:
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InterFaith Works is monitoring developments carefully and stands ready to welcome refugees from Ukraine and other places where people have suffered from war, terrorism, ethnic cleansing, and environmental devastation, as we have done for the last 40 years.
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InterFaith Works in the News: Syracuse and Onondaga County Leadership Letter to President Biden Invites Ukrainian Refugees to CNY |
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InterFaith Works is referenced in a letter to President Joe Biden, as Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon urge federal authorities to send refugees from the war to Central New York.
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Join Us for a Virtual Community Conversation Series Event |
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The El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action at InterFaith Works is hosting a monthly Virtual Community Conversations Series on Zoom. These virtual circles are intended to bring people together around different topics in the region.
Join Grace Carlic and Jamie Cook on Wednesday, March 16, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., for the March Virtual Community Conversation, "Mental Wellness 'Cozy Hour'," on Zoom. Grace and Jamie will be facilitating some mindfulness activities, such as deep breathing and meditation, and talk about the importance of self-care. These virtual conversations are a wonderful opportunity to connect with people in our community. Feel free to join with your favorite warm beverage (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc.). We hope to see you there!
All registrants will receive a Zoom link to attend the event.
Stay tuned for details about the next Conversation event on Wednesday, April 20.
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Save the Date: 2022 Annual United We End Racism Event |
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United We End Racism (UWER) is a fun family event presented by the El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action at InterFaith Works. The event will feature the Racial Justice Awards and the annual Duck Race, presenting a unique community experience affirming and celebrating the work being done to eliminate racism and promoting equal rights and justice.
The 2022 UWER will be an in-person event, held on Saturday, June 11, noon to 4 p.m., at the Syracuse Inner Harbor grounds and pavilion.
For more information about the United We End Racism event and sponsorship opportunities, contact Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter at 315-449-3552, ext. 111, or email bishopcolettecarter@ifwcny.org.
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Nominations Now Being Accepted for the Racial Justice Awards |
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InterFaith Works' El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action is seeking nominees for the annual Racial Justice Award (RJA). Featured during the United We End Racism event, RJA honorees will be recognized on June 11, during the event entertainment and presentation programs.
The Racial Justice Award (Individual) is given annually to individuals whose efforts have contributed to make a change toward ending racial injustice and promoting social equity.
The Racial Justice Award (Organization) is given to organizations whose efforts have contributed to make a change toward ending racial injustice and promoting social equity.
The Catalyst Award is given for outstanding achievements toward ending racial injustice. Catalyst nominees will have demonstrated leadership in inspiring others to end racial injustice and for promoting social equity.
The Lifetime Award is given for outstanding and sustained (i.e., over a career) achievement, including inspiring others in ending racial injustice and promoting social equity.
Nominations will be accepted through May 4.
For more information about the Racial Justice Awards, contact Kioanna Garner at 315-449-3552, ext. 235, or email kgarner@ifwcny.org. |
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Community Coming Together and Stepping Up to Help |
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With the federal government changing course under the Biden administration by increasing refugee resettlement numbers, and the recent expedited arrival of Afghan evacuees, InterFaith Works (IFW) has received much needed and appreciated assistance from the Syracuse and Central New York (CNY) communities. This generosity comes in various forms – monetary donations, material donations of winter clothing and household items, and others volunteering their time to lend a hand.
IFW is grateful for the CNY community that has stepped up to create donation drives and various projects and initiatives, including Syracuse University’s Operation Orange WarmUp, Marcellus School District (Nancy Schuller), Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church (Laura Mattice and Jeannie Brown - donations to the Delaware Elementary School and Blessings in a Backpack program), and the United Way of CNY (Share the Warmth program), to name a few.
IFW's friends Karen Grimm and volunteers from Operation Northern Comfort (ONC) donated their time and expertise to construct a much needed and sturdy shelving system at the IFW warehouse on North Townsend Street in Syracuse. The bulk shelving project included two days of pre-fabricating the shelves and then two days of installation by ONC volunteers, creating a more efficient use of warehouse space. Many thanks to carpentry/construction experts Nick Caputo, David Robinson and Rick Pelotte (pictured bottom left), the many warehouse volunteers who reorganized the warehouse's new shelving system, and those who set up refugees' first homes in advance of their arrival. Thank you for providing IFW's clients with a warm welcome.
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Left: Marcellus teacher Nancy Schuller organized a small grassroots initiative to collect donated goods.
Below: Karen Grimm (bottom right) and Operation Northern Comfort volunteers (bottom left) donated their time and expertise to build shelving systems at the InterFaith Works warehouse.
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Salt City Harvest Farm Brings Community and Culture Together |
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In 2013 Dylan Letcher, a graduate of Immaculate Conception School in Fayetteville, started a small garden on farmland owned by his family. He wanted to donate the food he grew to those in need. That small seed of service has literally bloomed over the past eight years into what is now Salt City Harvest Farm. It is a place where new Americans — most are refugees — grow food, community and culture through an exchange of food traditions. Lives are changed via access to land, education and economic opportunities.
Photo: Immaculate Conception students show off their pumpkins at the "pop up" patch the farm brought to the school in lieu of a field trip in the Fall of 2021.
*Excerpted from Pillars magazine Winter 2022 issue, by Caroline Reff, Editor of Pillars, and Head of Inkwell Creative Services. Pillars is published by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse.
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Center for Dialogue & Action "Back to School" Again |
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The El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action facilitators have returned to live in-person dialogue presentations with school aged students for the exchange dialogue programs and intra-school dialogue programs. While the programs are still adaptable and effective in the Covid precautionary online virtual format, dialogues are most successful in the more personal and reciprocal environment of being in the same space. "The difference between the virtual and in-person presentations affects everyone involved," says Jamie Cook, Dialogue Coordinator, CDA. "Not only does it enhance the participants' experience, but we as facilitators can benefit in reading the rhythm and direction of the room through body language and direct interaction."
Cook, along with Andrea Jacobs, Dialogue Coordinator, CDA, Kionna Garner, Dialogue Coordinator, CDA, and Garang Ajak, Program Coordinator CDA, are traveling to 20 Central New York high schools, middle schools and elementary schools across seven school districts to facilitate dialogues. As spring turns to summer, the dialogue programs also lead into the United We End Racism event on June 11, where the students in the dialogue programs will participate in the annual Duck Race.
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Dialogue Coordinator Jamie Cook (standing, in red, center of the dialogue circle) leads middle school students from Grant Middle School (Syracuse City School District) and Eagle Hill Middle School (Fayetteville-Manlius School District) through a recent dialogue session. |
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Community Conversation With Refugee and New American Women |
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ONA CNY Immigrant Community Navigator Grace Carlic was joined by five guest speakers last month for a community conversation focusing on the integration experience of refugee and new American women. The event was held in partnership with InterFaith Works, the New York State Office for New Americans and the Manlius Library.
See the links below for more program and event collaborations between InterFaith Works, the New York State Office for New Americans (NYONA), and other local agencies and organizations. Click on the link for printable/shareable color flyers.
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Senior Companion Program Established in 1986
InterFaith Works Senior Companion Program was established in 1986, with Kay Rupprecht (back row, second from the right) serving as its first director. Senior Companions are volunteers 55 and over who provide assistance and friendship to seniors who have difficulty with daily living tasks, such as shopping or getting to medical appointments. The program aims to keep seniors independent longer, and provides assistance to family caregivers. To learn more about the Senior Companion Program and volunteer opportunities in Onondaga, Cayuga and Madison counties, contact Toma Tracy, Senior Companion Program Manager, at 315-449-3552 ext. 224, or email ttracy@ifwcny.org.
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Follow this link to view the invitation to the December 1986 Annual Meeting of the Assembly, held at St. Andrew Apostle Church in Syracuse. The receiving of the annual report, ratifying new Board members and agency bylaws amendments would be the order of the evening. It is also where the new Senior Companion Program would be introduced in an official and public setting. Shown below is an actual page from the invitation, detailing the outline and intent of the new program. |
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Honor Our Anniversaries With a Gift |
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This is an extraordinary year in the life of InterFaith Works. Not only are we celebrating the 45th year since our founding, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Center for New Americans, 35 years of providing Senior Services, and 25 years since the first Community Wide Dialogue was held!
It’s likely you have been a supporter of our agency—perhaps as a client, volunteer, program partner, Board or Round Table of Faith Leaders member, employee, funder or individual donor—at some point over the last 45 years. If so, you know how our mission changes lives, hearts and minds!
Would you like to join in our celebration by taking this opportunity to invest in our mission? We invite you to make a gift in honor of the agency’s 45th anniversary or one of our programs’ 40th, 35th or 25th anniversaries. Please feel free to make your gift in honor or in memory of someone dear to you. It’s a special way to recognize someone special as well as our mission to affirm the dignity of all people and all faiths.
Use our hashtag IFWCNYcelebrates to share your images and experiences of InterFaith Works.
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Job Openings Offer Opportunities to Serve the Community |
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The agency is seeking an Accounting Specialist, who will be responsible for executing InterFaith Works' billing function by preparing invoices, recording payments, and preparing reports of expenditures for all reimbursement methods of payment.
The Senior Services program is seeking a Community Engagement Coordinator. Under the direction of the Senior Companion Program Manager, the Coordinator is responsible for planning and implementing all community outreach and volunteer recruitment activities throughout Onondaga, Cayuga, Madison and Oswego Counties. Activities include presentations, tabling, and managing social and print media campaigns. The Coordinator will also develop and manage relationships that support the overall function of the program, including community-based organizations, key contacts, and in-kind donation sources. This is a new position as part of the program's new growth and expansion efforts.
The Senior Services program is also seeking a Digital Navigator (Arabic). This part time position will provide individualized and small group assistance to older adults who need coaching in introductory digital skills, and support in accessing affordable home internet service and internet-capable devices in order to become effective home internet users. The Digital Navigator will lead one 12-week Basic Skills courses for Arabic-speaking older adults using InterFaith Works’ established curriculum, and will meet one on one with class participants to provide additional support and coaching.
The agency's El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action is accepting applications for a part-time Jewish Staff Chaplain at Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. Primary duties of the Chaplain include assessing patient and family spiritual needs and assisting them to use their faith/spirituality in dealing with illness, trauma, stress, and death; conducting visits as assigned by the center's Managing Chaplain; and following up with patients as appropriate. This position features a flexible work schedule.
The Operations Coordinator is responsible for supporting the VP/COO by performing functions including (but not limited to) grant tracking contract assistance, onboarding support, program evaluation and support for the agency’s strategic initiatives.
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Join Us for a Free Fishing Day Field Trip |
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The Center for New Americans Family Wellness program will be taking refugee families to Beaver Lake Nature Center to go fishing on Wednesday, April 13, 1 to 3 p m., to participate in Onondaga County's "free fish days" program. The Wellness program is seeking experienced fishing volunteers to join the field trip to help teach children to fish for their first time. If you or someone you know would be interested in joining the adventure, or for more information, contact Emily Wagner, Family Wellness Coordinator, at 315-449-3552, ext. 227, or email ewagner@ifwcny.org. You can also donate or sponsor to purchase basic fishing gear to get the families started.
Follow these links for sample fishing gear packages:
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El-Hindi Center for Dialogue & Action Seeks Dialogue Facilitators |
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Contact Bishop Colette Matthews-Carter at 315-449-3552, ext. 111,
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Senior Services Offers Digital Literacy Programs for Older Adults |
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(Click on the image below for a printable/shareable flyer) |
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Senior Services Program Seeks Senior Companion Volunteers |
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(Click on the image below for a printable/shareable flyer) |
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Senior Services Neighborhood Advisor Offers Referral Assistance |
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(Click on the image below for a printable/shareable flyer) |
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Welcome to the Community Bulletin Board. If you would like us to promote your community event, please provide us with details, including the event name/title, time, date, location, any related costs and 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. Please send information to info@ifwcny.org with the word "Bulletin" in the subject line.
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SU/Maxwell State of Democracy Lecture Series to Feature Dave Zirin |
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Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs will host The Nation Sports Editor Dave Zirin on March 25, at 4 p.m., for the next installment of the State of Democracy Lecture Series. Zirin is the author of 11 books, and his presentation at the Maxwell Auditorium will include discussion of his most recent publication, The Kaepernick Effect. There will be a reception and book signing following his presentation.
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Everson Museum to Host Fiber Swap |
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The Everson Museum of Art will be hosting a Fiber Swap event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., on Saturday, April 9. Participants and attendees are welcome to bring yarn, fabric, sewing, knitting, and crocheting materials to trade with other community members. There will be opportunities for participants and attendees to demonstrate their fiber art skills, and openings for fiber artists and vendors to sell their wares and services at the swap as well.
For more information, contact ONA CNY Community Navigator Grace Carlic at 315-449-3552, ext. 220, or email gcarlic@ifwcny.org.
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Hiscock Legal Aid and Lawyers Project of CNY Seeks Volunteers |
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(Click on the image below for a printable/shareable flyer) |
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Spectrum and Verizon Offer Affordable Connectivity Program |
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The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a $14 billion federal government program, a continuation of the Emergency Broadband Bill by the Federal Communications Commission. Under the ACP, qualifying households can receive $30 a month toward internet expenses ($75 a month for those on Tribal Lands), and a one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet purchased through a participating provider if the household contributes more than $10, but less than $50, toward the purchase price.
Helpful links:
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About InterFaith Works of CNY |
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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 45 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
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