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United Way

HomeCare & Hospice seeks volunteers for United Way Day of Caring

By Press Release
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Submitted photo of the Pathway of Life Garden located at Grandview Cemetery in Batavia.

Press Release:

HomeCare & Hospice will be participating in the Genesee County United Way Annual Day of Caring on May 23. 

United Way volunteers will be matched to local agencies and non-profit organizations to assist in hands-on projects in their communities. 

HomeCare & Hospice of Batavia will be seeking volunteers to assist in cleaning the Pathway of Life Garden at Grandview Cemetery which is a memorial brick garden surrounded by beautiful foliage, flowers, benches, and a place of relaxation and quiet reflection. The bricks are a lasting public tribute to your loved ones.

Volunteers are needed on May 23 beginning at 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. to complete pruning trees, pulling up the walkway to remove roots, weeding, grass removal, and power washing of benches and walkways.

Individuals or teams can sign up to volunteer by contacting Caitlyn Farnung at caitlin.farnung@unitedwayrocflx.org or by calling 585-242-6517. Volunteer registration is open until May 10.

If you or someone you know could benefit from hospice, please contact HomeCare & Hospice at 585-343-7596 or visit homecare-hospice.org.

Volunteers needed for United Way Day of Caring on May 23

By Press Release

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is hosting its annual Day of Caring on May 23. Day of Caring is the largest single day of volunteering in the region. Six counties, including Genesee, Ontario, Monroe, Livingston, Wayne, and Wyoming will mobilize over 6,000 volunteers on May 23.

The dedicated committee of volunteers in Genesee County has helped to match agencies with volunteers for 15 years! Hundreds of volunteers in Genesee County will work together to meet the needs of dozens of local agencies and non-profits.

By participating in these engaging, hands-on projects, volunteers help create a brighter future for local communities and help those in need.  

There are still volunteer spots available and agencies to support in Genesee County. Sign up as an individual, or as a team with friends, family, or colleagues using the contact information below for a fun-filled day of giving back to the community! Register to volunteer in Genesee County by April 19 to receive a T-shirt. Registration for volunteer opportunities will be open until May 10.

Join us for the Genesee County Day of Caring kickoff on May 23 at Dwyer Stadium, starting at 8 a.m.

Looking to volunteer in Genesee County? Contact Caitlin Farnung at caitlin.farnung@unitedwayrocflx.org or (585) 242-6517.  

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Reach out to MarcAnthony Bucci at marcanthony.bucci@unitedwayrocflx.org or (585) 242-6449 to learn more. 

United Way hosts summer serenade with Genesee Symphony Orchestra

By Press Release
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File photo from 2018 of Summer Serenade rehearsal.

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes will once again present, Summer Serenade, featuring the Genesee Symphony Orchestra.

The Serenade will take place on Saturday, September 9, at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquet Facility, beginning at 5 p.m. The event will feature hearty hors d’oeuvres, a concert by the Genesee Symphony Orchestra, and desserts. A cash bar will be available. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Genesee Symphony Orchestra and United Way’s Backpack Program in Genesee County.

United Way’s Backpack Program provides easy-to-make meals for school-aged children in need throughout Genesee County. Currently, the program is supplying over 700 monthly meals to children throughout four school districts.

The Genesee Symphony Orchestra is a dynamic, regional orchestra that presents an ambitious portfolio of concerts for the enrichment of our community through high-quality performances, educational opportunities, guest artists, and partnerships.

Tickets for the Serenade are $50 and can be purchased through any Genesee Symphony Orchestra Board Member, Lawley Insurance in Batavia, or online at unitedwayrocflx.org/summerserenade.

Photos: United Way Day of Caring in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens
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Tony Mancuso for the United Way Day of Caring was where he usually is on the Day of Caring, at Adam Miller Toys and Bicycles getting bikes ready to donate to Arc GLOW.
Photo by Howard Owens

More than 400 area residents hit about 40 sites in Genesee County to volunteer their labor to make the community a little bit better as part of the annual United Way Day of Caring on Thursday.

The Batavian stopped by a handful of the volunteer locations, such as Adam Miller Toys and Bicycles, GO ART!, the YMCA, the War Memorial, Dwyer Stadium, and the Community Garden.

Volunteers also went to six different locations for Arc GLOW, the Batavia Cemetery, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Cross Roads House, the David M. McCarthy Memorial Ice Arena, Eagle Star Housing, Ellicott Trail, the Peace Garden, Gilliam Grant Community Center, Holland Land Office Museum, Machphelah Cemetery, Purple Pony, Resurrection Parish, St. James Episcopal Church, St. Paul Lutheran, UMMC, and the Village of Elba, among other locations.

All photos by Howard Owens.

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Volunteers needed for Day of Caring in May

By Press Release

Press Release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes’ Day of Caring is quickly approaching on May 11. Day of Caring is the largest single day of volunteering in the region. Over 5,000 volunteers will be mobilized across six counties, including Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne, and Wyoming.

Volunteers are matched with a local nonprofit agency. Examples of nonprofit volunteer needs include gardening, spring cleanup, and beautification projects.  There are still hundreds of volunteer spots available and agencies to support! Sign up as an individual, or a team with friends, family, or colleagues using the contact information below for a fun-filled day of giving back to the community. 

Looking to volunteer in Genesee County? Contact MarcAnthony Bucci at MarcAnthony.bucci@unitedwayrocflx.org or (585) 242-6449.

 

24 Genesee County agencies to benefit from $400k in United Way funding

By Press Release

Press release:

On Tuesday, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes announced $400,000 in impact grants to 52 nonprofits across Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming counties. Programs that will benefit from these grants include summer camp and after-school programs, food pantries, domestic violence prevention programs, etc. This announcement comes as United Way marks one year since its six-county merger.

“It has been an incredible year, bringing together the power of a region to serve our local communities and these grants awarded today are a great example of how we rally together as a region to address critical issues in our community,” said Jaime Saunders, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “We are grateful to all of our generous donors and workplace partners that run employee campaigns and make the grants announced today possible.”

More than $100,000 in grants will benefit summer camp and after-school programs. The GLOW YMCA is one of the organizations that will receive United Way grants.

“We service 10 school districts across the Genesee and Livingston counties. For this upcoming school year, we’re already planning on impacting 166 families,” said Greg Reed, District Executive Director of GLOW YMCA. “The Y never denies service due to inability to pay and funding from United Way plays an insurmountable part in that.”

97 workplaces across Genesee, Livingston, and Wyoming counties participate employee campaigns to help raise funds for United Way. Canandaigua National Bank and Trust has created a six-county challenge grant, matching every new and increased donation to United Way up to $500,000.

“The entire CNB team is extremely proud to make such a large investment in United Way and our region,” said Vince Yacuzzo, Vice President and CFO of Canandaigua National Bank and Trust and United Way board member. “The campaign year is not yet over, so we encourage people to take the opportunity to take this opportunity to double their impact.”

Organizations that will benefit from the impact grants are:

  • Genesee County
  • All Babies Cherished Pregnancy Assistance Center
  • American Red Cross Western New York Chapter
  • Arc GLOW
  • Boy Scouts of America, Iroquois Trail Council, Inc.
  • Care-A-Van Ministries
  • Community Action of Orleans and Genesee, Inc.
  • Genesee Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse
  • Genesee County CASA for Children
  • Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern, Inc.
  • Genesee-Orleans Regional Arts Council
  • Gillam Grant Community Center
  • Girl Scouts of Western New York
  • GLOW YMCA
  • Homecare and Hospice
  • Hope Center of LeRoy
  • Junior Achievement of WNY
  • Literacy West NY, Inc.
  • PathStone Corp
  • Project Stork Inc
  • The Salvation Army- Batavia Corps
  • VIA Visually Impaired Advancement f/k/a Olmsted Center for Sight
  • Warrior House of WNY
  • YWCA of Genesee County, Inc.

Photos by Howard Owens

Top photo: Greg Reed, District Executive Director of GLOW YMCA at the podium.

Jaime Saunders, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. 

Vince Yacuzzo, Vice President and CFO of Canandaigua National Bank and Trust and United Way board member.

Photos: Day of Caring 2022

By Howard B. Owens

More than 300 community volunteers turned out today for United Way's annual Day of Caring to perform a variety of tasks for local organizations.

Photos are from Crossroads House and Justice for Children.

At Crossroads, a family paid for a new cement walkway and patio and volunteers are planting a garden so that those staying at Crossroads can be taken outside and enjoy a bit of nature.

The groups receiving assistance: 

  • Purple Pony
  • Peace Garden
  • Holland Land Office
  • Town of Batavia
  • Machpelah
  • Crossroads House
  • St. Max Kolbe
  • GO ART!
  • All Babies Cherished
  • UMMC
  • Gillam Grant
  • ABCD
  • Eagle Star
  • Lifetime Assistance
  • Community Garden
  • St. Joe's
  • St. James
  • Justice for Children
  • Batavia Cemetery
  • BEA- Jr. Achievement
  • CCE
  • Notre Dame
  • Batavia Housing Authority
  • Warrior House
  • Arc Glow-Elba House
  • Tops Food Drive-Arc GLOW

United Way offering series of leadership programs

By Press Release

Press release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes is now accepting applications for its premier Leadership Development Programs. These five-day, once per week, in-person programs teach core skills in self-leadership, cultural awareness, and how to infuse diversity, equity, and inclusion framework into leadership positions in the workplace, on boards and committees, and in volunteer service work. Curriculum topics include personal development; diversity, equity, inclusion; board governance; cultural perspectives; and social issues.  More than 2,000 local community leaders have graduated from these programs over their 40-year history.  

Programs currently accepting applications include:

  • African-American Leadership Development Program
  • Emerging Leaders Development Program
  • Latino Leadership Development Program
  • PRIDE Leadership Development Program

The programs cost is $399 per participant and space is limited. An orientation will take place on August 3, with a graduation ceremony on November 3. The registration deadline for all programs is Tuesday, May 31.

To register and learn more details about specific programs visit https://unitedwayROCFLX.org/get-involved/leadership-development.

United Way appoints new chief operating officer

By Press Release

Press release:

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has appointed Lawana Jones as its new Chief Operating Officer. Jones brings over 20 years of experience in organizational management and 16 years of nonprofit leadership to the role. Jones will oversee multiple internal departments, projects, and processes, including resource expansion, marketing, leadership development programs, community engagement, data warehouse creation, and business analytics.

“We are thrilled to have such a talented and visionary seasoned executive join United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes leadership team,” remarked Jaime Saunders, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “Lawana brings a unique combination of corporate leadership and nonprofit insights along with continuous improvement and deep IT knowledge. She is eager to use her talents and leadership skills to support our six-county region as we evolve to meet the local needs of our community now and into the future.”

 “I am excited for the bright future of United Way and the organization’s transformation as we now support our six-county region. We are working hard to ensure that we continue to show up and support our community every single day and in a more transformative way,” added Jones.

Jones recently worked at L3Harris as the Principal, Continuous Improvement Lead, and Senior Project Manager. Before that, she served as the Project Director for Information Security Services at Xerox.

Jones also serves as President and CEO of The Autism Council of Rochester, which she established in 2005. She is active in community service, serving on several nonprofit boards and committees.

Jones is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Scrum Master, and Agile Project Manager. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Nazareth College of Rochester, an MBA Certificate from the University of Rochester, and is currently earning a Ph.D. in Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University.

Jones has received the NY Senate District Women of Distinction Award, the Community Service Award from the Rochester Business Journal, and the 40 under 40 Community Award from the Rochester Business Alliance.

Additionally, Jones is a 2001 graduate of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes’ African American Leadership Development Program and a 2007 graduate of Leadership Rochester. Jones assumed her role as Chief Operating Officer Thursday, March 31.

Registration open for United Way Day of Caring

By Press Release

Press release:

Volunteer registration is now open for United Way’s annual Day of Caring, happening on Thursday, May 19. For the first time in its 36-year history, Day of Caring will take place across Monroe, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming, Wayne, and Ontario County on the same day.

Day of Caring is the community’s single largest volunteer effort, helping local not-for-profit organizations with projects, or ‘needs’, that they may not otherwise have resources for. Day of Caring needs includes painting, raking, cleaning up parks, planting community gardens, etc.

This year, more than 100 agency volunteer needs have already been registered. To browse through a list of needs, and to sign up to volunteer, visit unitedwayrocflx.org/volunteer. Volunteers can sign up as individuals or as a team. Volunteer registration closes Thursday, May 12. Agencies have until Saturday, April 30 to register a need.

Family First Federal Credit Union donates to United Way's backpack program

By Press Release

Press release: 

As an expansion of their commitment to communities within their footprint, Family First Federal Credit Union (FFFCU) held an employee food drive to help provide supplies to the United Way Backpack Program. This program supplies weekend meals to students within multiple school districts in Genesee County.

Additionally, FFFCU raised monies to supplement the purchasing of program food supplies.

"I am delighted that my colleagues and our members are so incredibly generous and recognize the importance of supporting the needs of children in our community,” said FFFCU Mortgage Loan Originator, Lisa Gautieri. “We are pleased to present the United Way with this gift of food and monetary donation to help ensure children’s food insecurities are decreased in Genesee County.”

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has been supplying services and funding to many agencies throughout Genesee County and the funding received from FFFCU will be wholly used to purchase food for the Weekend Backpack Program.

Gautieri, along with FFFCU PR Specialist Sarah Kearney, accompanied United Way’s Senior Resource Development Manager Tammy Hathaway to Arc’s HUB to present their donation to the team who packs the weekend food bags. Arc’s AIM and WOW programs currently pack and administer the program to four participating schools in Genesee County.

“I absolutely love this piece of my job. I am so fortunate that Family First encourages me to help out more in our communities. They truly want to do more where it’s needed,’ said Kearney.

For more information on the Weekend Backpack Program and other United Way-supported programs, please contact Tammy Hathaway at 585-343-8141 or tammy.hathaway@unitedwayrocflx.org.

 

CEO of new regional United Way promises 'more' to local communities

By Howard B. Owens

With the merger of six United Way chapters in the Finger Lakes area into a single regional organization, the United Way will not lose its focus on the local communities, it serves, said Acting CEO Jaime Saunders at an open house to discuss the merger with the community yesterday morning at GO Art!

"The six United Ways are coming together in a position of strength," Saunders said. "This is about more. This is about more investment, providing more opportunities for connection, more volunteer opportunities, more support for those of you running workplace campaigns, more support for those we set out to serve and change their lives. This is what it is about."

Tammy Hathaway, the now-former director of the United Way in Genesee County, did not speak at the gathering.  She is becoming a regional development manager with the new organization.  

Previously: Merger of six chapters create powerful regional alliance: United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

 

Merger of six chapters create powerful regional alliance: United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes

By Press Release

Press release:

Today, six United Way chapters officially announced their merger and the creation of a powerful and aligned organization: United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, serving the counties of Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming.

The organization, which altogether raises and distributes more than $30 million annually, now encompasses 5,144 square miles of rural, suburban and urban neighborhoods, and brings together more than 50,000 donors, 1,300 workplaces, 1,000 nonprofit partners, and thousands of volunteers to address the region’s biggest human services challenges.

All current team members across the six counties remain with the organization, bringing a breadth of hands-on experience, in-depth understanding, and increased people power to the expanded footprint.

Jaime Saunders will serve as the merged organization’s president and CEO, with Cicely Strickland-Ruiz as chief operating officer, Jennifer Cathy as chief impact officer, Barbara Pierce as chief development officer, and Laurie Ganon as chief financial officer.

Former regional directors will continue to serve in leadership roles: Kari Buch as associate director of Community Impact, and Tammy Hathaway and Carol Pettis as senior regional development managers.

The six branches have worked together for decades, with Monroe County providing back-office services including financial, IT, marketing and human resources functions for all. The new structure, proven during theorganization’s Spring 2021 campaign season, streamlines the organization’s front-end processes. Its success helped United Way rebound to pre-pandemic levels of funding for its human services partners.

“People and businesses function across local geographic boundaries,” said Jaime Saunders, president and CEO, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes. “Working together more cohesively across the region will make it easier for our business partners and donors to share resources, and our nonprofit partners to get elevated support so they can remain focused on providing services.”

What will not change is United Way’s commitment to local communities.

Dollars raised in an area will stay committed to that area. Donors will also retain the ability to direct their contributions to the causes they feel strongest about. United Way will remain committed to its three core impact areas, providing meaningful Community Impact Fund Impact Grants to its nonprofit partners supporting health, education, and economic mobility, and short-term community impact fund innovation grants for crisis response, synergy and equity.

“The real power of United Way comes from the community,” said Lauren Dixon, board chair of United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, and an Ontario County resident and Monroe County business owner. “As neighbors come together in support of neighbors, United Way becomes a conduit for connecting those resources to the most pressing needs of each community. This merged organization will combine the power of the entire region with an intensely localized focus.”

The combined United Way has created a new Regional Advisory Council and regional cabinets to advise and inform strategies and ensure local communities from across the region are represented in the new organization. In addition, its Board of Directors has added members from the previous United Ways’ leadership, who will work alongside those who already live and work across county boundaries.

In its first public announcement, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes not only confirmed that it will recover to pre-pandemic levels of Community Impact Fund support totaling $12.9 million to 190 programs region-wide, but also announced $125,000 in new, multi-county allocations to nonprofits in Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The funding, $25,000 in each county through the organization’s Project Uplift initiative, has been committed to existing nonprofit partners to support and administer direct, discretionary interventions for community members experiencing barriers to well-being and economic stability. It is the first of many multi-county funding initiatives United Way anticipates rolling out across the region in the coming years.

In an effort to hear and learn from the community, over the coming months, United Way’s Community Impact team will conduct a listening tour with human service agencies across the six counties. The effort will be focused on aligning approaches and systems to maximize outcomes without creating additional burden for service providers.

“We will maintain the consistency of funding as we coordinate processes and procedures on our end,” said Jennifer Cathy, United Way’s chief impact officer. “We will take the next few years to synchronize six distinct grant cycles and application timelines into one, all with an eye to improving the experience for – and supporting the outcomes of – our partner agencies.”

Workplaces and donors will notice simplification of some processes immediately, but otherwise United Way’sAnnual Campaign will remain unchanged. It will kick off its region-wide campaign in January, and year-round efforts will continue to help the organization raise needed funds to respond to community needs.

“We remain focused on providing local workplaces, donors and volunteers with easy and meaningful ways tomake a big difference across our region,” said Barbara Pierce, United Way’s chief development officer.

“In addition to maintaining our current channels for giving, we will also continue to innovate and create new funds like our recently introduced Equity Fund, so donors can support the causes that are most important to them.”

United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes has launched its new website in conjunction with the announcement, and more information can be found at http://www.UnitedWayROCFLX.org.

Reminder: There will be a morningtime Open House in Genesee County to mark the milestones this Wednesday, July 28, at GO ART!, located inside the Seymour Building at 201 E. Main St. in Downtown Batavia. Time is 8 to 9:30 a.m. A brief presentation will be made at 8:30 a.m.

Day of Caring postponed

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

A moment of crisis says a lot about a person and a community. Faced with stress, uncertainty and fear, we all react in different ways. What your United Way team has witnessed over the past few weeks, in the face of the COVID-19 health crisis, has been inspirational. So many in our community have shown impressive leadership, selfless acts, and sincere caring.

In response to the health crisis and in adherence with recommendations of state and local Departments of Health, we have postponed the May 13th Day of Caring until further notice.

We know you might want to help now. You can reach out to the United Way of Genesee County office to learn of volunteer and in-kind donation needs of our local nonprofits.

As our community moves from responding to this crisis to recovery, we know that nonprofits are going to need our community’s support more than ever. We hope to reschedule the Day of Caring to best support local nonprofits as they begin to rebuild their operations. Stay tuned for more information and thank you for standing United. 

Together we can make a difference.

Take care and stay safe,
Tammy, Susie and Jane

Women United debuts Day of Sharing Nov. 20: drive underway to collect winter apparel for the needy

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Recently the United Way of Genesee County created a Women United group.

While the United Way campaigns for funding to subsidize viable and critically needed programming in our community, the Women United group will campaign for items to help alleviate additional needs that our agencies are experiencing with their clients.

Our Women United group is collecting winter garments on Wednesday, Nov. 20th. This date is to be considered our debut Day of Sharing.

Affordable winter garments continue to be in short supply and many agencies find their clients will go without. Please consider sharing the warmth this winter by donating new or gently used coats, snowpants, snowsuits, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, thermal socks, and infant car seat covers.

The Women Unite group would appreciate any and all efforts you can extend prior to Nov. 20th to collect winter wear items that are needed.

Collected items can be delivered within two different time slots -- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. -- on Nov. 20th to one of three drop-off sites:

  • United Way office parking lot -- 29 Liberty St., Batavia
  • Liberty Pumps parking lot -- 7000 Appletree Ave., Bergen
  • Boy Scouts of America -- 102 S. Main St., Oakfield

Items will be dispersed to those in greatest need through nonprofit agencies in Genesee County on a waiting list basis.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to reach out. Email United Way Executive Director Tammy S. Hathaway at:   tammy.hathaway@uwrochester.org

Liberty Center for Youth opens Thursday afternoon, renovated and ready to serve

By Billie Owens

Press release:

Liberty Center for Youth, 114 Liberty St., is set to open to all youth ages 9-16 in the City of Batavia at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5th.

The Liberty Center for Youth (former St. Anthony’s school) is a joint agency project between the City of Batavia Youth Bureau, and the GLOW YMCA.

The focus of this project is to broaden the services offered to the youth of Batavia and have it conveniently located in one facility. The property is owned by City Church.

“Locating this facility in heart of the City, to serve our youth, is the right move,” said City Council President Eugene Jankowski Jr. “I believe that the enrollment for the City of Batavia Youth Bureau programs will continue to grow and this will be 'the place' where kids want to go.

"They will find a positive caring environment here lead by the City Youth Bureau.” 

The United Way of Genesee County has contributed $50,000 to the project and will be providing funding for an additional five years at $10,000 per year.

“The United Way is excited to partner with the City of Batavia and the GLOW YMCA to make this project a reality,” said Tammy Hathaway, regional director of the United Way of Genesee County.

“This project fits within our mission to motivate and organize people...through a unified, community-wide effort to mobilize resources and apply them to best serve the needs of Genesee County.”

The new location will offer a technology center with 10 new computers donated by Marchese Computer Products, 10 brand new tablets, and a smart board with wireless capabilities. The Liberty Center for Youth will provide free tutoring and homework assistance.

The facility will contain a game room with pool, air hockey, ping-pong, and foosball, as well as a four-square court and gaming room with a PS4 and Wii. 

The former cafeteria has undergone a major renovation turning it into a multipurpose room where students are encouraged to socialize, and grab a snack. A free snack will be provided daily to participants. The cafeteria will also be used for special events such as Art, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), Music, and other activity nights.

This location also offers a gymnasium to allow for year-round sports activities.

“This has been a dream of ours for a while,” said Lydia Schauf, program coordinator City of Batavia Youth Bureau. “We have wanted to find a central location where we could make the most impact on the Youth of our City, we wanted a place where they could feel comfortable to socialize and be active but most of all to provide a safe environment.”

The City of Batavia Youth Bureau has prided itself in offering free, safe and fun activities to youth and is excited and encouraged by this new endeavor. The staff of the Youth Bureau is capable, trained and ready to see a very successful first year of programming at the new location.

“It has been an amazing journey of learning, problem solving and growing as we have developed this partnership over the last three years," said Jeff Townsend, executive director of GLOW YMCA.

"Working together as a non-profit and government entity has been way less challenging than first thought. I appreciate this opportunity in my career to see a vision come to life. And I’m thankful to have worked alongside Jocelyn Sikorski on this project.” 

The Liberty Center will be open year-round. Hours of operation are as follows 2:30-6 p.m. during school and 1-6 p.m. during school breaks and summer vacation. 

Registration is free and participation forms can be found at 114 Liberty St. or on the City of Batavia website under the Youth Bureau Department.

If there are any questions please call Lydia Schauf of the City Youth Bureau at (585) 815-5308. Transportation will be offered afterschool to the facility but must be arranged through the Batavia Central School District.

Video: Dedication of the Liberty Center for Youth

By Howard B. Owens
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Video: GSO preparing for annual Summer Serenade in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens
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The Genesee Symphony Orchestra prepares for the annual Summer Serenade, a joint fundraiser with United Way and held each year at the La Royan in Le Roy.

The 2019 concert is Aug. 25. Social hour begins at 4:30 p.m., with dinner at 5, the concert at 6:15, and dessert to follow.

Tickets are $75 a person. Garden party attire recommended.

Tickets available at Tompkins Bank of Castile in Le Roy and Roxy's Music Store or online at  www.uwrochester.org/summerserenade

Proceeds benefit the United Way Backpack Program and the GSO.

United Way's 2019 campaign total is $351,676 and will aid 27+ GC programs and agencies

By Billie Owens

Press release:

The United Way of Genesee County announces its 2019 campaign total as $351,676. Through these donations, subsidies have been granted to 27 programs within Genesee County; to include numerous additional agencies who will receive funding via donor designations.

During the 2019 campaign celebration breakfast on June 28th, the following were honored for their dedication to the United Way:

  • Top Hat Award (for the highest workplace campaign) -- O-AT-KA Milk Products
  • Agency of the Year (for being the phoenix of agencies) – YWCA
  • Barber Conable Award (for exemplary commitment to the community) -- Genesee County Employees and Government
  • Volunteer of the Year (for her 13 years of unfaltering loyalty) -- Theresa DeMars

Acts of Valor awards were given to these Knights in Shining Armor, as they came to the aid of the United Way to find a solution for an immediate need that had been brought to the United Way’s attention:

  • Julie Gill from Home Depot
  • Gregory and Joan Post from Greg Post General Services
  • Jaylene Smith-Kilner from Habitat for Humanity
  • Tim Adams and Steven Foster from the Red Osier Landmark Restaurant

Liberty Pumps and the employees of Genesee County were the second and third highest workplace campaigns this year. Whereas, the late Rick Ensman and Bill and Barb Schreiber were the highest individual contributors.

The United Way of Genesee County is extremely grateful to all who participated in this year’s campaign. The lengthy list of workplace and individual donors is heartwarming and proves that so many are invested in the wellness of our community.

Video: United Way Day of Caring in Batavia

By Howard B. Owens

 

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Thursday was United Way's annual Day of Caring, where people volunteer for various projects around the county.

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