Herkimer Nonprofit

Charitable nonprofits:

 A little take, a lot of give

There's no dispute that nonprofit organizations

 help the community through programs, grants

 and job creation as employers. But when it

 comes to tax-exempt properties, charitable 

nonprofits often become the scapegoat.

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»  RELATED CONTENT

• • A taxing issue: Exemptions good for some, problem for others

Amanda Fries

Keshia Clukey 
Posted Jan. 26, 2014 @ 3:52 pm 

Last week, on the second floor of 420 E. German St., Billy Gifford worked in a small group preparing boxes of tissues to be packaged.

Gifford is one of about 600 people that benefit daily from Herkimer ARC programs, not to mention the 400 people employed with the nonprofit.

"They provide me safety and they give me work to do," said the 21-year-old West Winfield resident. "They teach me new stuff every day, and I learn a lot."

There's no dispute that nonprofit organizations help the community through programs, grants and job creation as employers. But when it comes to tax-exempt properties, charitable nonprofits often become the scapegoat.

The ARC owns 35 tax-exempt buildings in Herkimer County, ranging from housing facilities to manufacturing operations. The East German Street building is partially exempt because it houses other businesses.

"We're providing work opportunities for people in an integrated setting for people with and without disabilities," ARC President and CEO Kevin Crosley.

And without the tax exemption, the organization would be "in a very serious financial crisis, Crosley said.

"The importance of the tax status is such that it keeps our business alive and allows us to provide services," Crosley said. "Not-for-profit is a tax status, it's not a business strategy."

Charitable nonprofits raise property values, increase the quality of life and generally take up 5 to 10 percent of a tax base, a relatively small amount, said David Thompson, National Council of Nonprofits vice president of public policy.

They also often are contracted to provide services the government cannot.

"Our strong view is that cities do better because of nonprofits, not despite nonprofits," Thompson said. "In many ways we reduce the burden on the government."

And as financial times get difficult, the need for charitable nonprofits rises, and they become vital in helping the community make ends meet.

The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties employs 10 people and in 2013 the nonprofit distributed 494 grants totaling nearly $4 million to the community in the areas such as economic development, enhancing education and improving quality of life.

Set to move to a new location, the Community Foundation soon will be operating out of 2608 Genesee Street, a building assessed at $350,000, according to the city Assessor's Office. It will be exempt.

"It's a very narrow mantra that nonprofits don't pay taxes, therefore, that's a negative," said Peggy O'Shea, president and CEO of the Community Foundation. "I think that's really missing the point of what nonprofits provide to a community. We see our role as the organization to bring people together to have that civic discourse and dialogue to decide what's best for our community."

Follow @OD_Clukey and @OD_Fries on Twitter or call the newsroom at 792-5017

Read more: http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140126/NEWS/140129466#ixzz2s8Ww0qp0

Elimination of funds for fair discussed at hearing

 Zoom

Gerry Elthorp, of the Herkimer County Fair Association, asks the Herkimer County Legislature to restore funds for the fair to the 2014 county budget during Wednesday's public hearing. TIMES PHOTO/DONNA THOMPSON

By DONNA THOMPSON
Times Trends Editor 
Posted Dec. 5, 2013 @ 5:48 pm 

Herkimer, N.Y.

HERKIMER — The elimination of $5,000 for the Herkimer County Fair from the tentative 2014 Herkimer County budget dominated the discussion at Wednesday's budget hearing.

The $101,503,470 tentative budget is up 5.3 percent from the 2013 spending plan and carries a tax levy increase of $200,957 or .8 percent.

Gerry Elthorp, of the Herkimer County Fair Association, pointed out the fair is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers.

“All the money raised goes back into the county fair,” she said and pointed out many improvements have been made to the fairgrounds since 1992.

Restoring that $5,000 contribution to the county fair to the budget would make virtually no difference to the county, Elthorp said, but the loss of $5,000 makes a great deal of difference to the fair, especially when the reduction comes in addition to cuts that have reduced state funding from $12,000 to $6,000 over the last several years.

The fair has been responsive to the county's needs, according to Elthorp. She pointed out the sheriff's boat is stored at the fairgrounds during the winter. “That's a $500 loss for us; we store it for nothing,” she said.

When the county's senior citizen picnic is held at the fairgrounds, the fair charges about a third its usual rates. “For the kids' safety fair, we only charge enough to cover toilet paper and the garbage,” she said.

“According to the New York State Fair Association, the economic value of the fair is more than $5 million,” said Elthorp. “The county receives $250,000 in sales tax revenue from the fair.”

Legislator John Brezinski, D-Frankfort, said farming has always been considered the county's biggest industry. “The fair supports that,” he said. “I can't see taking that money and deleting it from the budget.”

He added if there is a problem between the county and the fair association, “we should be grown-ups and call them in, iron it out and get it over with. We should put the money back in the budget.”

Herkimer County Legislative Chairman Vincent Bono, R-Schuyler, said putting the $5,000 back into the budget now would be complicated because it would mean changing formulas. He recommended the matter be considered again after the first of the year. “We can probably make adjustments,” he said.

Legislator Gary Hartman, D-Herkimer, pointed out the issue had been raised earlier and the change could have been made.

“I hope it's not because they spoke out against putting a meat packing plant in the Pumpkin Patch that the money was taken away,” he said.

Elthorp had expressed opposition to a proposal to locate a meat processing plant at the Frankfort 5S South Business Park, saying it would have a negative impact on the fair. The town of Frankfort rejected the proposal and the developers decided to seek another location.

Legislator Helen Rose, D-Herkimer, said a presentation on the budget would have been helpful during the hearing. She noted the flood had impacted the budget and had forced the county to postpone work on some projects. A $300,000 cut from the initial projections for the Country Manor budget helped keep the tax increase below the 1.66 percent tax cap. The budget shows an increase of $498,000 for health insurance costs, she said, adding she would be interested in knowing the findings of a contractor hired to look into insurance costs and requirements under the new Affordable Care Act

Read more: http://www.herkimertelegram.com/article/20131205/NEWS/131209708#ixzz2nICA4tYU

Herkimer Co. HealthNet awards $41,000 for playgrounds, trails

HERKIMER COUNTY —

Herkimer County HealthNet has selected four improvement projects  to award funding to as part of the Creating Healthy Places to Live, Work and Play in Herkimer County Grant. Through an application process, municipalities and 501(C)3 non-profit organizations located in Herkimer County were able to apply. The recipients, selected by the Herkimer County HealthNet Wellness Committee, demonstrated matching and/or in-kind contributions through collaboration with other community organizations, donated materials, and volunteer time.

The recipients and projects are as follows:

* Village of Frankfort: $10,000 for Marina Park Fitness Station/Trail Project.

* Village of Ilion: $10,500 for Russell Park Playground Project.

* Herkimer County Community College: $10,000 for HCCC Interpretive Nature Trail.

* Poland Central School District: $10,500 for Fitness Trail/Elementary Playground Project.

Creating Healthy Places focuses on preventing obesity and type 2 diabetes by supporting and promoting environmental changes in Herkimer County.

Since 2010, Herkimer County HealthNet has contributed more $200,000 to communities in Herkimer County that are investing in their parks, trails, and playgrounds in order to create healthy places to live, work, and play.

Non-Profits Come Together For Unique Training Workshop

By: Rachel Polansky

Area non-profits came together this morning to take part in a unique training workshop.The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties brought in a philanthropic expert to share tips about increasing donors in a tight economy, while motivating board members to participate in major fundraising events. The presenter says when it comes to donating, it's all about how you ask.

"They go out and ask people for gifts of $5, $10, $15, $1000, even $1 million dollars and many volunteers are afraid to do that. And I've developed a methodology to help them overcome their fears. Donors wants to be approached in a proper way. They don't want to be solicited. They want to be invited to be a part of something bigger than themselves," says Jim Donovan, author and philanthropic expert.

Jim Donovan, author of "Take The Fear Out Of Asking For Major Gifts" led the presentation.

To see the video click here.

News from the Utica Observer Dispatch

Training slated for nonprofits

By - STAFF REPORT

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties Inc. and the New York Council of Nonprofits will present training for local nonprofit organizations on major gifts and motivating board members from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Friday in Room 225 in the Information/ Technology Building at Mohawk Valley Community College, 1101 Sherman Drive.
Jim Donovan, author of “Take the Fear Out of Asking for Major Gifts” and “50 Ways to Motivate Your Board,” will lead the presentation.
The training is free, and registration is required by visiting foundationhoc.org and registering under news and events.

Foundation receives regional award recognizing commitment to Herkimer County

HERKIMER, N.Y. —

The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. recently was chosen to receive the 2013 Appreciate Herkimer County Award for Community Development. The Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce is honoring The Community Foundation because of their work in advancing development in Herkimer County.

“We looked for an organization that serves the same footprint as the chamber and one that is concerned with the future of this area, not only from an economic development standpoint, but one that appreciates the arts, the importance of health and the protection of our environment,” said John Scarano, executive director at the Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce. “The Community Foundation is all of this and more. It reaches out to help invest in both counties and in many cases to chamber members. For this, the chamber and its membership will always be grateful.”

In 2012 alone, The Community Foundation invested more than $500,000 in nonprofit programming and initiatives in Herkimer County. Recent investments in Herkimer County included grants to Bassett Hospital, Little Falls Hospital and Herkimer County schools in areas ranging from economic development to increasing literacy.

“We are truly honored to receive this award. Through partnership initiatives we will continue to strive to identify and address the area’s most important issues,” said CEO and President Peggy O’Shea. “For more than 60 years, our work toward bettering the community has been made possible by our donors and this award serves to highlight their generosity and passion for this community.”

The Foundation will receive the award at noon Thursday, April 25, at the Knights Inn of Little Falls, 20 Albany St., Little Falls.

The Community Foundation has been a force for improving lives and promoting philanthropy throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties since 1952. The Foundation has made more than 5,200 grants totaling more than $41.3 million in support of causes ranging from education, healthcare, the arts and the environment. Grants are generated by 290 funds that make up The Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area residents.

Upcoming Career Program & Nanotechnology Presentation

Hello Genesis!
As Your Community Connection, we are announcing the following programs and events:

Career Exploration Program
March 15th ~ 8:00am at Herkimer County Community College (Gymnasium)

sponsored by: The Herkimer County Chamber of Commerce ~ The Herkimer County Guidance Association and The Genesis Group

WE ARE IN NEED of additional Speakers as we expect nearly1000 9th grade students from (10) Herkimer County schools to attend. Please RSVP to Ray Durso, Jr. at info@TheGenesisGroup.org and include your Name and Profession.



Nano 101 ~ The Marcy NanoCenter at SUNYIT"
including the Nanotechnology Transformation, Jobs and Growth
March 22nd ~ 6:30pm at SUNYIT Kunsela Hall
AND
March 24th ~ 6:30pm at Herkimer County Community College

Timothy Dunn from Mohawk Valley EDGE will offer a presentation on the proposed Marcy NanoCenter as well as the Technology Complex being developed at SUNYIT in Marcy.

When completed, these projects will have a enormous positive impact on our region. A key componet for both is Education and Awareness. "The more the public knows and understands these projects, the easier it will be to gain their support." Our recent bus trip to SUNY Albany is a great example of that.
It's FREE and open to EVERYONE!
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend!

Sponsors Include: The Genesis Group, Mohawk Valley EDGE and The Chamber Alliance of the Mohawk Valley, representing Chambers of Commerce from the Boonville Area, Camden Area, Clinton, Herkimer County, Kuyahoora Valley, Marcy, New Hartford, Greater Oneida, Rome Area, Trenton Area and Oneida County Tourism


SAVE THE DATE
April 23rd ~ 8:00am
Regional Clean and Green
sponsored by Rome Clean & Green and The Genesis Group

May 10th ~ 12:00pm
Excellence in Healthcare Recognition

May 23rd ~ 12:00pm
7th Annual Genesis Group Golf Tournament

Thank you for your continued interest & support!

Raymond J. Durso, Jr.
Executive Director
The Genesis Group
SUNYIT
100 Seymour Road
Utica, New York 3502
info@TheGenesisGroup.org
www.TheGenesisGroup.org
315.792.7187 (T)
315.797.1280 (F)
Genesis is also on Facebook

Communities working together can save Herkimer

The Little Falls Times reported that the Herkimer Home State Historic Site is closed through at least April 1, and is slated to remain closed not only for the entire 2011 operating season, but permanently.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2011-12 budget proposal cuts Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation spending by more than eight percent, from $228 million to $209 million. The proposal does not include any funding for Herkimer Home, which needs roughly $320,000 to remain open.

“It would be a shame to lose the site,” Little Falls Mayor Robert Peters said during a telephone interview on Monday. Peters was one of 40 people to meet at the home of American Revolutionary War hero Gen. Nicholas Herkimer last Wednesday to brainstorm how to keep the site operating. “It’s an important place to our community, and to other surrounding communities as well, and it would be a real tragedy to see it closed. We need to come together and prevent this from happening.”

Peters said he and other city and county officials discussed the matter prior to the Feb. 9 meeting and have continued discussing what they believe can be done to ensure the site will open in 2011.

“The city, should a group come forward and raise the money, or at least a portion of the money, needed to keep the site secure and to maintain it, would be willing to provide 10 hours a week from its Department of Public Works to maintain the building and grounds,” said Peters, who is also president of the Herkimer County Conference of Mayors. “I would hope other communities would follow the city’s lead and would come forward to provide similar services. In addition to maintaining the grounds, the city would also be willing to make any emergency repairs that would be needed.”

In an effort to draw increased attention to the historic home just outside of the city of Little Falls on State Route 169, and to bring in additional tourists, Peters said a “Taste of Little Falls” type event and Victorian fair could take place Labor Day weekend throughout the city and at the site.
“The food event would be held throughout the city on Friday, with the Victorian fair held at Herkimer Home on Saturday and Sunday,” said Peters. “An event like this would bring people to the city who might choose to stay at one of our places in town, eat at one of our restaurants or shop at one our stores. It would also draw people to the site and generate revenue for its operation.”

Assemblyman Marc Butler said during last Wednesday’s brainstorming session visitors to Herkimer Home generated about $6,800 in revenue in 2010, adding $30,000 of the site’s roughly $320,000 budget goes toward operational expenses, with the rest paying for salaries.
Butler also said last week a nonprofit group or surrounding municipality could sign a lease with the state, essentially forcing the local entity to maintain the site while the state maintains ownership.

“The assemblyman said the local group or municipality could then keep any profit generated from the site,” said Peters. “An agreement like that is something the city would be willing to explore with a group or another municipality. The city is also willing to extend water service to the site, which would provide water to a portion of the town of Danube. These are all things the city can do to improve the site and is willing to discuss as we collectively work to keep the site open in the years to come.”

Read more here.

Community Foundation Awards More Than $420,000 to Local Organizations in December

The Grants Committee of The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. awarded $420,582 to local not-for-profit organizations at its December meeting.

The OD reports that the following organizations received funding:
• Adirondack Railway Preservation Society will purchase a new locomotive to use for Adirondack Scenic Railroad programs, such as the Polar Express, with a $95,582 grant.
• The Arts Guild of Old Forge will unveil its new building and expanded programming this summer, and a grant of $100,000 will help them add professional staff to manage new programs and events.
• Organizations that help people through tough times are experiencing great demand. The Food Bank of Central New York, which supplies food pantries and feeding sites in Herkimer and Oneida counties, received a $50,000 grant that will help them renovate office and food storage space.
• With a $75,000 grant, Herkimer Area Resource Center will install an elevator into their German Street building. The elevator is part of a strategic effort to attract tenants to the building – an effort that is already paying off.
• People in poor health can have their vital signs observed remotely, as Visiting Nurse Association received a $100,000 grant to add equipment to their teleheath service. This equipment allows patients to be monitored by health care professionals from the comfort of their homes.

The Community Foundation has been a force for improving lives and promoting philanthropy throughout Herkimer and Oneida counties since 1952. The Foundation has made more than 4,300 grants totaling over $35 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. Grants are generated by the more than 270 funds that comprise The Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area individuals and families.

For more information about The Community Foundation, call 315-735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org.

Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community (LAVC) Launches Community Indicators Website

Representatives from the Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community (LAVC) introduced a new website and the results of its community indicators study recently at a gathering of over 60 Oneida and Herkimer county organizations.

The website, www.hocindicators.org, provides a statistical snapshot of issues in the two-county region and creates county-level data benchmarks that the community can use to establish shared goals toward increasing the region’s economic viability and sustainability. Indicators measured included the economy; education; health; public safety; housing; arts and culture; transportation; and technology.

LAVC is a partnership among The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, Inc.; Mohawk Valley EDGE; and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area. Formed in 2009, its purpose was to undertake a community indicators study to obtain an overview of the area’s most pressing needs and opportunities for positive change. Data was collected, processed, and analyzed after a six-month study by the Center for Governmental Research (CGR). CGR, of Rochester, N.Y., also developed the website.

CGR demonstrated to participants how they can use the website and data to further the missions of their organizations and practical applications for the data at this morning’s workshop.

Hundreds work to improve health at regional summit

The OD reported that Ideas for increasing the health of the region range from holding more farmers markets, to working with schools to educate children on are health issues, to helping food pantries provide more fresh fruits and vegetables.

More than 200 people gathered at Hart’s Hill Inn Friday for the second regional health summit planned by a Regional Health Advisory Board to discuss areas identified as priorities in the area’s health: healthy mothers, babies and children; access to care; chronic disease and mental health and substance abuse.

“There are so many things we need to tackle together as a region,” said Phil Hayne, executive director of the United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area and chairman of the Regional Health Advisory Board. “We need to develop really clear strategies with how to help our communities.”

A recent study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin ranked Oneida County 54th out of 62 counties in the state for health status. Herkimer County placed 41st. Read more here.

Herkimer County health stats need work

Herkimer County ranked 41st for health outcomes and 43rd for health factors of the 62 New York counties surveyed as part of a study funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and conducted by the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute.

The rankings place the county barely above the bottom third in terms of mortality and morbidity rates, and in the bottom third when it comes to such factors as health behaviors and clinical care.

Health behavior rankings are based on community statistics for tobacco use, diet and exercise, alcohol use and unsafe sex. Clinical care rankings are based on statistics for access to care and quality of care, and includes statistical measures of the number of uninsured adults, primary care providers, preventable hospital stays, diabetic screenings and hospice use.

While health outcomes and health factors are considered to be the two "biggest" rankings, Public Health Director Dr. Gregory O'Keefe said the biggest concern is a last place ranking for clinical care.

This ranking shows that 17 percent of Herkimer County's adults are uninsured, compared with 15 percent across New York, and that the county has 33 primary care providers, or a rate of 52 per 100,000 of population, which is below the state average of 148 doctors per 100,000 of population.

The ranking also shows that 12 percent of county residents utilize hospice, against an average of 21 percent across New York, and that the county had 100 Medicare hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, compared with 78 hospitalizations per 1,000 enrollees across the state. Read more here.

Oneida and Herkimer Impacted by NYS Parks and Historic Site Closures

The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today put forward a recommended list of closures and service reductions in order to achieve its 2010-11 agency savings target and help address the State's historic fiscal difficulties.

Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement:

"New York faces an historic fiscal crisis of unprecedented magnitude. It has demanded many difficult but necessary decisions to help ensure the fiscal integrity of our State. The unfortunate reality of closing an $8.2 billion deficit is that there is less money available for many worthy services and programs. In an environment when we have to cut funding to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services, no area of State spending, including parks and historic sites, could be exempt from reductions. We cannot mortgage our State's financial future through further gimmicks or avoidance behavior. Spending cuts, however difficult, are needed in order to put New York on the road to fiscal recovery. Going forward through the budget process, I look forward to a productive dialogue with the Legislature on parks and historic sites, as well as other issues."

OPRHP Commissioner Carol Ash issued the following statement:

"The 2010-11 Executive Budget included reductions to every area of State spending. As such, the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation has today put forward proposed closures and service reductions to meet its agency savings target. These actions were not recommended lightly, but they are necessary to address our State's extraordinary fiscal difficulties."

###

A fact sheet on the proposed closures and service reductions is included below:

The Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) today put forward a list of closures and service reductions in order to achieve its proposed 2010-11 agency savings target and help address the State's historic fiscal difficulties. As part of a comprehensive plan to close an $8.2 billion deficit, the 2010-11 Executive Budget included necessary cost reductions to each executive State agency, as well as cuts to education, health care, social services, and every other area of State spending.

OPRHP's plan includes the closure of 41 parks and 14 historic sites, and service reductions at 23 parks and 1 historic site.

The plan also assumes $4 million in park and historic site fee increases that will be identified at a later date, and the use of $5 million in funds from the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) to finance OPRHP operations. These two actions were part of the 21-day amendments to the Executive Budget and are intended to reduce the number of parks and historic sites subject to closures and service reductions.

Specific recommended closures and service reductions are detailed here.

Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community

Herkimer & Oneida County Indicators
What is a community indicators study? Community indicator studies are now commonly conducted across the country to provide objective snapshots of an area's quality of life. This is an opportunity to engage in a community-wide conversation about the current state of the Mohawk Valley region and how to respond collectively to issues that we face. The indicator categories are arts and culture, economic self-sufficiency, economy, education, environment, health, housing, public safety, technology and transportation.

Why would a community want an indicators study? A community indicators study is like a check-up with the doctor. The study tells the community what areas are healthy and which areas need work. It is objective and based on facts rather than sentiment. It will help the community establish shared goals toward increasing its economic viability, well-being and sustainability. We believe that with this information, organizations and individuals will form partnerships and take action to build a vital community and improve the overall perception of our community.

Who is responsible for the indicators study? This is the inaugural project of the Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community (LAVC), which is a partnership among The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., Mohawk Valley EDGE and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area. The Community Foundation is taking the lead in the data collection phase of this project on behalf of the Alliance.

What is the geographic focus of the indicators study? The focus is on Oneida and Herkimer counties.

When and how are you collecting the information? The data is being collected and processed, and will be released in the first quarter of 2010. We have selected the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) from Rochester, NY as the data collection agency that can best meet our needs. CGR is collecting and analyzing data to develop a report of the findings along with an accompanying web site, which will be unveiled in the spring of 2010.

How will you decide what information to collect? We will invite community members who are experts in the 10 indicator areas for sessions where they will review the potential indicators for each category. Their expertise will help inform the specific areas of study for a focused, independent and objective measurement of key community indicators. Ultimately, these experts and the Alliance will use the data to take action.

The purpose of LAVC is to strengthen a healthy, vibrant community through collaborative leadership that identifies significant community issues, builds regional consensus, creates a shared vision and is a catalyst for change.

Coalition Undertakes Community Indicators Study

The Onedia County Courier reported that three local community organizations working together to identify and meet the area’s most pressing needs undertook the first step in a Community Indicators study today. The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc., Mohawk Valley EDGE and United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica Area are working together as initial partners in the Leadership Alliance for a Vital Community (LAVC) on this project, the results of which will inform each organization’s work and be shared with the entire community.

Community indicator studies provide objective snapshots of an area’s quality of life.

This is an opportunity to engage in a community-wide conversation about the current state of the Mohawk Valley region and how to respond collectively to issues and opportunities that we face. The indicator categories are arts and culture, economic self-sufficiency, economy, education, environment, health, housing, public safety, technology and transportation.

The Herkimer and Oneida County Indicators study in particular will help the community develop and focus on shared goals toward increasing its economic viability, well-being and sustainability. LAVC believes that with this information, organizations and individuals will form partnerships and take action to build a vital community. Read the article here.

Genesis Group General Meeting June 18th

All are welcome to attend this week's Genesis General Meeting, set for Thursday June 18th at 7:30am
Location:
Holiday Inn Utica/NewHartford
1777 Burrstone Rd.
New Hartford
The meeting is FREE and includes complimentary coffee and pastries.

ON THE AGENDA:

"Brochure Exchange"
Area Tourism Officials will speak about "what to do & where to go" this summer in the Mohawk Valley region.
Speakers include representatives: Town of Webb/Old Forge, Oneida County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and various attractions and special events in Oneida and Herkimer counties.

"Boilermaker Pavilion"
Mohawk Valley EDGE Officials will discuss opportunities available at the "Call Mohawk Valley Home Pavilion" at this year's Boilermaker Health & Fitness Expo in July.
Come and learn how your company or organization can participate in our region's largest event!

"Infrastructure Project"
Steve Devan, O.C. Commissioner of Water Quality/Water Pollution Control; and Karl Schrantz, P.E.,
of Shumaker Engineeering will inform us on a massive multi-year project that will affect 15 communities
with-in the region.

"Mohawk Valley Matters/Regional Projects"
We'll receive updates from committee chairs on regional projects in areas of Education, Healthcare,
The College Community Network and Technology.

"Community Announcements"
Come and share good news and positive information about your company, a special project or an upcoming event!

Raymond J. Durso, Jr.
Executive Director

The Genesis Group
SUNYIT
PO Box 3050
Utica, New York 13504
315.792.7187
315.797-1280 Fax
info@thegenesisgroup.org
www.thegenesisgroup.org

The Peacemaker Program, Inc. saves taxpayers $1.2 million in 2008

Utica Daily News related: The Peacemaker Program, Inc. recently completed an analysis of its 2008 fiscal year showing the agency prevented 483 drawn out court battles, saving Oneida and Herkimer county residents nearly $2.3 million for that time period.

The Peacemaker Program, Inc. is a local non-profit agency in which nearly 500 community volunteers provide quality dispute resolution and child advocacy services. The organization served more than 2,700 people in 2008. Its mission is to offer inclusive innovative approaches to resolve conflict and achieve positive outcomes for children, families, and the community.

Family custody, visitation and support mediation helps participants generate their own solutions, and develop mutually acceptable parenting plans with the help of a neutral mediator. In 2008, 86 families developed their own agreements saving an estimate $1,075,000.

Child Custody Advocates assist the Oneida and Herkimer county family courts in deciding what is best for children involved in custody and visitation disputes. Based on information provided by advocates, 181 children were served, avoiding court trials for 70 families and saving taxpayers more than an estimated $875,000.

Parent/Child Mediation helps at-risk youths and their families achieve positive outcomes, and avoid court and out-of-home placements, including pre-PINS and PINS cases. In 2008, 115 individuals explored their conflicts with the assistance of a neutral mediator, and 89% needed no further intervention from the court system saving an estimated $90,000.

Child-Centered Permanency Mediation assists families, attorneys and other social service agencies to create a plan for children in foster care. As a result, 19 court cases were resolved prior to trial in 2008, resulting in a savings of $257,000.

This information as well as The Peacemaker Program, Inc.’s 2008 Annual Report can be found online at www.thepeacemakerprogram.org. For additional information on the agency’s programs or to find out how you can become a part of the solution, call 724-1718.