Tops Friendly Markets and Wegmans to Check Out Hunger

January 22, 2012 – February 25, 2012. To Benefit the Food Bank of Central New York. Tops Friendly Markets and Wegmans have teamed up with the Food Bank of Central New York again this year to help eliminate hunger in our community through the Check Out Hunger Campaign. Tops Friendly Markets and Wegmans stores throughout central and northern New York will accept $2, $3 and $5 donations beginning January 22nd. Through the Check Out Hunger program, customers can have store cashiers add the donation to their grocery bill at the check-out with all proceeds going directly to the Food Bank of Central New York. The campaign runs through the following dates:

Tops Friendly Markets – January 22 – February 11

Wegmans – January 22 – February 25

For more information regarding the Food Bank of Central New York or Check Out Hunger, please contact Lynn Hy at 437-1899 ext. 147 or lhy@foodbankcny.org. 

The Syracuse Literacy Zone

The Syracuse Literacy Zone is an Adult Eduacation program through the Syracuse City School District which offers GED and ESL classes as well as Case Management for those in need.  We have sites throughout the community at schools and off sites. For more information contact Isiah Mack  ismack77@scsd.us

The Determination Center of CNY. Inc.

The Determination Center of Central New York is a full-service after-school program with services for Youth ages five to twelve and Teens ages thirteen and above. Activities provided in the Youth Program include homework assistance, math lab, reading lab, computer lab, arts and crafts, outdoor activities, walking field trips, talent shows and basketball and other sporting activities. The Youth program runs on weekdays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Activities for the teen program include gym and sporting activities, intramural basketball, cooking, home economics, clothing design, and job placement assistance at Family Dollar, Price Chopper, and Dunkin Donuts. The Determination Center also serves as a valuable source of work experience for community members, volunteers, and interns. The Determination Center of CNY. Inc., 1654. W. Onondaga Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.  Mrs. Bettie Graham, CEO, Director.

Seeking Volunteer Drivers

North Area Meals on Wheels is seeking volunteer drivers to deliver meals in Northern Onondaga county.  Most volunteers deliver one day per week and average 2-3 hours each.  Opportunities are also available to serve as a substitute driver on an “as needed” basis.  For more information, contact Todd Irving 315-263-7716.

FREE COMPUTER AND JOB-READINESS WORKSHOPS FOR WOMEN SEEKING EMPLOYMENT  Women’s Opportunity Center, 901 James St., Syracuse, NY.Would you like to assess your skills and interests and learn more about the world of work?  For information on enrollment, please call the Women’s Opportunity Center, 446-0550. Or check the website:  wocsyracuse.org for free workshops and computer classes.

School of the heARTS
Address: 232 E. Onondaga Street
Contact: Tabby Simpson
Website: htttp://www.schoolofthehearts.com
Multimedia Afterschool Program for all high school students within the Syracuse City School District. We offer Academic tutoring, 3D Animation, Music Recording & Production, Vide/Film and Acting Classes. For details and to sign up call 876-6020. 

Nutrition Outreach Education Program
Address: 365 W. First Street Fulton, NY 13069
Contact: Angela Smith
Website: www.FoodHelpNY.org  
Eat Better Today & Stay Healthy For Tomorrow! If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and needs a little extra helpto put food on the table,Food Stamp Benefits can help. With recent program changes, up to one million Seniors throughout NY are eligible,but most have not yet applied. Please contact the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program at: Catholic Charities of Oswego County 1-877-636-9196. This Institutionis an Equal Opportunity Provider. This is a project of the Nutrition Consortium of NYS,USDA/FNS, NYSDOH, and NYSOTDA.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-Central NY Chapter
Address: P.O. Box 283; Phoenix, NY 13135
Contact: 315-695-2201
Website: www.afsp.org
Covering 9 counties in New York State which include Onondaga,Oswego, Oneida,Cortland, Madison, Lewis, Herkimer, Cayuga & Jefferson, our Chapter seeks to prevent the loss of life by suicide through education, research, and outreach.  Sadly, one in every 25 lives lost to suicide in this country is a resident of New York State.  Our Chapter hopes to play a vital role in preventing the loss of life by suicide in Central New York.

Hope for Heather
Address: PO Box 2208, Liverpool,NY 13089
Contact: Frieda Weeks, frieda@hopeforheather.org
Website: http://www.hopeforheather.org
A not for profit organization dedicated to raising funds for ovarian cancer research,education, and community outreach. On-going community events are held to raise awareness, disribute literature and raise money for ovarian cancer research. Named in memory of Liverpool native Heather Weeks, who lost her battle with cancer at age 24 in 2008.


Syracuse United Neighbors
Address: 1540 S. Salina St, Syracuse
Contact: Mercedes, Phil, or Rich
Website: http://sunaction.wordpress.com
Syracuse United Neighbors is a grassroots non-profit organization that has been around over 30 years that deals with low income families on many issues.  There are monthly meetings held for Southside @ Beauchamp Library 2nd Tuesday 6:30pm, Southwest Side Brady Faith Ctr 7:00pm, Near Westside 3rd Monday 7pm Brown Memorial Church, Skunk City 3rd Wednesday 6;30pm @ Mundy Library. We deal with home purchasing, red-lining by insurance and foreclosures on home.  We have the police at each monthly meeting to address concerns in our community.


Mary Nelson's Youth Day Foundation C/O Mary Nelson's Youth/Community Center
Address: 2849 S Salina Street
Contact: Mary Nelson
Website: www.youthdaybarbecue.com
Mary Nelson's Youth/Community Center offers several programs for our youths, and their families, senior citizens programs.  The program that we offer are in a safe, nurturing and developemental appropriate environment, in which includes: homework assistance/tutoring, nurtrition/cookling career exploration, dance sewing, arts and crafts, book clubs, computer skills. We also offer FREE Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner


American Red Cross Community Ambassador's Program
Address: 220 Herald Place
Contact: Deborah Willis
www.syrarc.org
Community Ambassadors on the Southside and Near Westside of Syracuse provide Disaster Preparedness workshops, set up CPR/AED and First Aid Classes and Babysitter's Training for youth 11-15 years old.


It's About Childhood & Family, Inc.
PO Box 281 Jamesville NY 13078
Contact: 315-382-0541
Website: www.iacaf.org   www.innerwealth.org
Non-profit organization providing mental health and wellness support for children and families.  We believe that children should not be defined by labels, but instead by their inner strength and character.  Families can 'pay' for some services by volunteering back into their community.

HOSPICE OF CENTRAL NEW YORK
Recruiting Volunteers
@ 990 Seventh North Street, Liverpool
Are you available to help someone in need for a few hours a week? Would you listen to someone tell their life story, read to people or run errands to help a Hospice family in need?  Hospice patients need you. We’re searching for Volunteer Family Care Givers- people who are compassionate, dedicated, and wish to provide support to families and patients at the end-of-life. Our Volunteer Family Care Givers work with a professional Hospice team to help families care for their loved one at home, in residences or inpatient facilities. Family Care Givers serve as friendly visitors for patients who may be lonely or in need of a friend, provide a family time to rest, or help with light household chores. The next Volunteer Family Care Giver Training will be held for 8 consecutive Mondays beginning January 18, from 9:30 – Noon at Hospice of Central New York. To learn more about Family Care Giving, call Michel Devlin at 634-1100.