9/22/2015

Oswego, NY ? Representatives from a number of Oswego County?s human services agencies will host an Oswego County Youth Program Forum on November 4 at the McCrobie Building, 41 Lake Street in Oswego. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Open to anyone interested in learning about the many services and programs that are available to youth in Oswego County, the Youth Program Forum will provide youth service providers with an opportunity to share information on their programs while learning about other youth programs that exist in Oswego County.

?The Youth Forum is a perfect example of the synergy that Oswego County?s human services agencies have when it comes to delivering services that focus on helping children and youth succeed,? said Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, Patrick Dewine.

Executive Director of the Oswego City-County Youth Bureau, and co-chairperson of the event?s planning committee, Brian Chetney explained that the format and the location for this year?s Youth Forum has changed.? ?The new format and location will make for a much more inclusive forum.? Rather than hosting a number of independent workshops, this year?s Youth Forum will offer attendees the opportunity to hear every presentation.? They will not have to choose one presentation at the risk of missing another, said Chetney.

Representatives from each participating agency will discuss the services their youth programs offer, how to access the programs, and the positive impact these programs have on the youth of Oswego County.? Additionally, there will be an information area where attendees may learn more about many of the other youth services available.

Participating agencies include:

• The Child Advocacy Center
• The Oswego County Health Department
• Oswego City-County Youth Bureau
• Hospice
• Parents of Special Children
• YMCA
• Arise
• Catholic Charities
• Workforce NY
• Oswego Industries
• Reality Check
• United Way
• OCO
• Oswego Expeditions
• Oswego County Sheriff?s Dept.
• of Social Services
• Cornell Cooperative Extension
• Girl Scouts
• Boy Scouts
• Farnham
• United Health
• Salvation Army
• I.T.I.
• Poison Control
• COCOA
• Fidelis

?The Oswego County Youth Program Forum is an excellent opportunity those that work with youth to come together to learn more about programs that aid youth and families in Oswego County. It?s also a chance for the participants to network, questions, and get to know their peers better,? added Chetney.

For more information on the Oswego County Youth Program Forum you may contact Patrick Dewine at the United Way of Greater Oswego County 593-1900 ext.201 or at patrickunitedway@windstream.net.

Cut line for photo: Members of the planning committee for Oswego County Youth Program Forum meet to discuss details for the event.? Scheduled for November 4 the forum will be held at the McCrobie Building, 41 Lake Street in Oswego from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.? The forum will highlight the many services and programs that are available to youth and families in Oswego County.? Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the program starting promptly at 9:00 a.m.? Seated from left are OCO SAF Education Program Manager Meredith Needham; Helen Hoefer of Catholic Charities of Oswego County; and Employment Specialist Heather Tebidor, of Oswego County Workforce NY.? Standing from left are Karen Meyer, Department of Social Services Youth Service Unit; Jennifer Losurdo, Oswego City-County Youth Bureau; Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine; Executive Director of the Oswego City County Youth Bureau Brian Chetney; and OCO Health Educator Toni Ross, ??Absent from the photo are committee members, Linda Brosch of Cornell Cooperative Extension and Tim Archer of Catholic Charities.

9/21/2015

Fulton, NY ? Positive community impact.? It was a theme that echoed throughout the morning as United Way of Greater Oswego kicked-off its 2015 ? 2016 campaign.? Following a brief welcome and overview of United Way from Executive Director Patrick Dewine, United Way Board President Bill Crist spoke of the impact and measurable results that United Way funded programs have on those in need.

Those words came to life when he introduced the United Way?s campaign video.? The video highlighted the impact and results United Way helps support through the community.? Some programs that match United Way?s mission of building strong communities by ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and improving the health and well-being of families and individuals were demonstrated in the video. ?From the myriad of programs offered through Oswego County Opportunities (OCO), to Catholic Charities, the YMCA, Farnham Family Services and the astounding services of the Child Advocacy Center (CAC), the video provided viewers with a clearer understanding of how United Way donor dollars are used wisely and member agency representatives emphatically stated that without United Way funding many of the services they provide would not be possible.

To demonstrate that impact United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath introduced Karrie Damm, executive director of the CAC, Kristin Drumm and Danielle Fox of ARISE, and Deb Deeb, coordinator of Human Concerns in Oswego.? The three shared some rather sobering statistics.? Damm spoke of the fact that Oswego County has the largest number of reported child abuse incidents in New York State while Deeb said that Human Concerns served 72,000 meals and provided food for 8,035 individuals in 2015, the three agencies then and told the story of a day in the life of a fictional family and how United Way funded services impacted them in a positive way.

The fictional family?s day began with a trip to the CAC where their daughter disclosed that she had been touched inappropriately by her father.? The incident caused a ripple effect that affected everyone in the family.? While CAC staff provided services that comforted the daughter and advocated for the mom, counselors recognized additional issues that would need to be addressed and referred family members to other agencies, including ARISE and Human Concerns, whose United Way funded programs offer the types of services the family would benefit from.

The collaborative efforts of United Way member agencies and the availability of United Way funded services affected the family in a positive way.? ?This is just one example of the countless families and individuals that benefit from programs that are supported by United Way,? said McGrath.? ?Similar scenarios play out every day.? The impact that our 27 member agency programs have is tremendous.?

The morning ended with Dewine challenging community members to get involved with the United Way annual campaign.? ?Together we can have an overwhelming positive impact on the quality of life in Oswego County.? I invite to join us on our mission of ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and improving the health and well-being of families and individuals.?

For more information on the United Way of Greater Oswego County and the human services programs it funds contact them at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

Cut line for photo: Karrie Damm, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County (CAC) addresses attendees at the United Way of Greater Oswego County?s Annual Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast.? Damm?s insights on the impact that United Way funding has on the work of the CAC was part of a special ?Day in the Life? scenario that demonstrated the positive impact that United Way funded programs have on the families and individuals they serve and the quality of life in Oswego County.

9/10/2015

Fulton, NY ? Patrick Dewine, executive director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, has announced that Kalyn Duguay has joined the United Way staff as campaign intern.

A senior at SUNY Oswego pursuing a degree in communications with a minor in business, Duguay is excited to be working with the United Way.? ?I knew United Way benefitted the entire county but I did not know the extent to which it helps those in need,? said Duguay.? ?The work that United Way does is impressive.?? I am enjoying working with the staff and learning about the impact that United Way and the programs it helps to support has on Oswego County.? This is great opportunity,? said Duguay.

While at United Way, Duguay will be assisting Resource Development Director Ali McGrath with every aspect of the agency?s annual campaign including presentations at member agencies, businesses, and civic organizations. Having previously served an internship with the Buffalo Chamber of Commerce?s Buffalo-Niagara Partnership, where she helped plan and oversee a number of special events, Duguay is especially enjoying the planning and preparation for the United Way?s Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast.

?Event planning has always been a passion for me,? said Duguay.? ?It?s rewarding to help put together events that are well received and enjoyed by those that attend.? The hands on experience I received at the Buffalo Chamber will be helpful as I take on the challenge of my United Way internship.?

?We are delighted to welcome Kalyn to our staff,? said McGrath. ?In the short time she?s been with us she?s exemplified great skills and taken initiative several aspects of the internship.?

?I?m happy to be a part of an agency that does so much to bring about a positive change in my community.? It?s a privilege to be able to intern with United Way of Greater Oswego County and I appreciate the opportunity,? added Duguay.

9/9/2015

Fulton, NY ? United Way and the many human services programs it supports touch the lives of hundreds of families and individuals throughout Oswego County.? The manner in which these programs are delivered and the positive impact they have on the lives of those that access them will be the focus of the agency?s annual Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast.? Scheduled for September 16, the United Way Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast will be held from 8:00 ? 9:00 a.m. at the American Foundry, 246 West Seneca St. (behind Fajita Grill on Route 104 West) in Oswego.

Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine, said that Resource Development Director Ali McGrath and the United Way?s Campaign Cabinet, has been working diligently to ensure that the United Way?s Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast is an uplifting and inspiring event.? One that will provide community members with a greater appreciation and understanding of United Way and the significant impact it has on the quality of life in Oswego County.

?We?ve put together an agenda that is unlike any other campaign kick-off,? said McGrath.? ?The combination of unique presentations from member agencies and a moving video produced by Kyle Ridlon of KR Productions will powerfully convey the many ways in which United Way efforts help to build strong communities by ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and improving the health and well-being of families and individuals.? Those in attendance are sure to be inspired and excited about our 2015-2016 Campaign.?

The United Way Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast is open to the public.? The cost to attend is $15.00 per person and includes a complete breakfast.? For more information, or to make reservations to attend the United Way Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast, contact Resource Development Director, Ali McGrath at your United Way office, 315-593-1900 or via e-mail at aliunitedway@windstream.net.

Cut line for photo: Executive Director of the United Way of Greater Oswego County Patrick Dewine visited the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County to finalize details for the United Way?s 2015-2016 Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast.? Scheduled for 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 16 at the American Foundry in Oswego, the event will focus on the manner in which the United Way?s community partnerships and member agency programs work towards its goal of ending hunger, helping children and youth succeed, and improving the health and well-being of families and individuals.? Pictured with Dewine from left are: Kristin Drumm and Danielle of ARISE, Executive Director of the CAC Karrie Damm and United Way Resource Development Director Ali McGrath.? For more information or to make reservations to attend, contact your United Way office at 315-593-1900 or visit oswegounitedway.org.

I extend my sincerest thank you to everyone that graciously supported our annual Stuff-A-Bus campaign.? Thanks to the generosity of so many caring community members, organizations and businesses 1,786 students received many of the supplies they need to begin the school year.? From pencils and notebooks to backpacks and thumb drives, volunteers along with members of the Oswego County Teachers Association (OCTA), distributed over 15,600 school supplies to students throughout Oswego County.

This would not have been possible without the efforts of Stuff-A-Bus committee members JoAnn Conzone, Laurie Kelly, and Helen Hoefer;? the dozens of businesses and offices that had school supply collection bins, Kingsford Park Elementary School Principal, Mary Volkomer for hosting the distribution; and the many others who helped to make this year?s Stuff-A-Bus campaign such a success:

City of Oswego Firefighters Association Local 126

• Fulton Lions Club
• Burritt Motors
• The employees of Pathfinder Bank
• The employees Key Bank
• School District Coordinators
• Employees of the Oswego and Fulton Walmart
• Oswego County Opportunities
• CSEA
• OCTA

On behalf of the students and their families that benefited from the Stuff-A-Bus campaign….Thank You!

Patrick Dewine
Executive Director
United Way of Greater Oswego County