The Utica Klubs, which has participated in the festival for the last four years, feel that the sport of rugby is a perfect addition to the annual event. “Both the men’s and ladies’ teams have many players of Irish descent, so we felt that the Great American Irish Festival was a great venue,” said Craig McNamara, a player for the Klubs. “And anyone can play. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman, or what age you are, as long as you like fast-paced, dynamic sports.”

The Utica Hellbenders ladies’ team will start off the festival on Friday at 5 p.m., with a round robin tournament featuring their team, Saratoga and Saranac Lake. The men’s team will cap off the festival at 11 a.m. on Sunday, when the Utica teams go up against Binghamton, Syracuse, Saranac Lake and the CNY Old Boys.

And past rugby players who hung up their jersey a while ago but have been hoping to get back into the game are in luck – according to McNamara, there’s always room for more. “If you used to play, please feel free to bring your boots and your mouth guard, and we’ll be happy to find you a team.”

The Great American Irish Festival kicks off on Friday, July 23 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort at 5 p.m. and goes until 11 p.m. Saturday hours are from noon to 11 p.m., and Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m. For further information on the Great American Irish Festival and Utica Rugby, visit gaif.us and uticarugby.com.

Funding Will Help Provide Area Youth with Critical Work Skills While Revitalizing Local Communities

(July 14, 2010) U.S. Rep. Michael A. Arcuri (NY-24) recently announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the Workforce Investment Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties $374,376 in funding to continue the WIB’s YouthBuild Program. The YouthBuild program assists out-of-school youth in obtaining their diplomas or GEDs, while proving job training in the construction industry.

“Ensuring that all of the youth in our region have access to the best possible training to prepare them for the working world is critical,” said Arcuri, who supported the WIB’s grant application for funding and has toured the WIB’s past YouthBuild construction site projects. “I am a strong supporter of the YouthBuild program, and our local efforts, because the program provides our young people with the skills necessary for a great career and success in the future, while providing our region with highly skilled, homegrown talent in areas where we need them most. I am pleased to announce this funding because it helps revitalize our community and provides new opportunities for young people who can use YouthBuild as the first step to a career.”

YouthBuild is currently working with Housing Visions Consultants, Inc. (HVC) on the Kemble Square Neighborhood Revitalization Project.  HVC broke ground on the construction of 37-units of affordable housing for low-income families and veterans in the Cornhill area of Utica on June 7, 2010 after the project was jumpstarted with $3.8 million in Tax Credit Assistance Program funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Workforce Investment Board Chair Gary Scalzo said, “YouthBuild is dedicated to helping young adults who have not experienced success academically or on the job to develop the new skills they need to succeed as well as to bolster their confidence and their leadership skills. By developing the skills of these young adults, we are helping prepare them for the workforce and for successful lives.”

WIB Executive Director Alice Savino said of the WIB’s efforts help youth and the community. “We are not only transforming the lives of the young people working on the project, we are transforming a building and a community. One of the reasons why YouthBuild is such an outstanding program is that it blends academic skills with workplace skills to help the young people in the project use this as a springboard to their future. YouthBuild is giving new hope to youth, giving them the tools to rebuild their community and their lives, and fulfilling the core YouthBuild mission of revitalizing a community through adding new housing for low-income residents. This project is a great new start for the youth involved, and the community it will help to energize.”

The YouthBuild program, administered by the Workforce Investment Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida Counties, helps at-risk youth develop critical skills and participate in community service while building and renovating affordable housing within their communities.  Specifically, YouthBuild focuses on these critical skill areas:

Academic Skills: Training in academic skills provides functional learning in reading, writing, and mathematics. GED and remedial instruction will be provided by the region’s major provider of GED services through classes customized for older youth that will allow for youth to proceed at an individualized pace and offer life skills. Youth will spend 60% of their time in academics.

Construction Skills: Youth will learn construction skills while building two new houses in the target area, a project overseen by Habitat for Humanity, under the direction certified instructors from Mohawk Valley Community College. The curriculum is developed to meet the needs of employers and union Apprenticeship programs and provides an employer-accepted credential.

Leadership/ Life Management Skills: Leadership will include lessons from the YouthBuild USA leadership curriculum, as well as community-based efforts to support voter registration, participate and show leadership within the project, and conduct service learning on both a project-wide and individual basis. Life skills will help address substance abuse, conflict resolution and other issues that can impact retention in school or at work.

(Utica, NY) The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties, Inc. partnered with 19 area not-for-profit organizations during the first half of 2010. The Foundation awarded grants totaling $367,395 to enhance the organizations’ services to local residents. The Foundation awarded the following grants:

• To make recreational and competitive sports more available to people with disabilities, Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center, Inc., in partnership with the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Upstate Cerebral Palsy, will use a $36,262 grant to expand the CNY Adaptive Recreation and Sports Program.
• A $60,000 grant will allow the Children’s Museum to replace a leaky roof with green technology materials, providing a safe and sustainable space for the families of Central New York to visit.
• Compassion Coalition used a grant in the amount of $10,000 to expand and better promote their services to local residents.
• Veterans share an experience that others can only imagine. Sometimes, adjusting to life after combat – whether two months or 20 years later – is difficult. Compeer of the Mohawk Valley, Inc. will partner with Utica Center for Development to offer a “Vet 2 Vet” mentoring program that matches volunteers with veterans requesting support.
• Community gardens benefit neighborhoods by promoting interaction, creating beautiful spaces and providing nutritious food. Cornerstone Community Church received a grant for $8,065 in order to create such a garden for the residents in the vicinity of Oneida Square in Utica.

• Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. put a $25,000 grant to work by investing in employee training to improve the care they provide to patients and their families.
• The House of the Good Shepherd will have a wellness program for the children and families in their care thanks to a $33,000 grant.
• Imagine being in a country where you did not know the language well, yet had to navigate the legal system to get your new life in order. It is an intimidating proposition and one that Multi-Cultural Association of Medical Interpreters of Central NY, Inc. will help alleviate by using a $2,500 grant to expand its certified court interpreter program.
• Peacemaker Program, Inc. used a $21,256 to upgrade computer equipment, which will allow them to run their office and their programs more efficiently.
• Rome’s Rising Stars Soccer Club received a grant of $2,300 to build a picnic pavilion to better accommodate groups and students on field trips.
• Our region is home to many halls of fame. They are points of pride in the community that showcase how far hard work and dedication can take a person. The Rome Sports Hall of Fame & Museum used a $7,824 grant to preserve and upgrade exhibits that demonstrate these values.
• Technology improves the lives of people in nursing homes in ways that are not always obvious. St. Joseph’s Nursing Home is implementing an electronic medical records system that will increase accuracy and efficiency and allow staff to provide the best care to residents.
• Sculpture Space is home to an internationally renowned artist-in-residence program. Many of these artists are from outside Upstate New York and need accommodations during their time here. Thanks to a $13,862 grant, the organization can renovate a residence to house those in the program.
• Every child deserves the opportunity to play outside in fresh air and sunshine. Thanks to a $20,900 grant, Thea Bowman House, Inc. will be able to renovate its playground area so the children enrolled in programs there can do just that.
• Town of Webb Historical Association will be able to hire an intern to archive and preserve materials documenting the town’s history with a grant of $9,895.

• A home is a major investment, and understanding the various types of financing is very important. UNHS NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center will use a $16,250 grant to expand its reverse mortgage counseling program in order to help people manage finances related to their homes wisely.
• Utica College’s Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program received $5,000 as the recipient of The Community Foundation’s 2010 Community Impact Award. The funds will be put toward the program, which includes extra classes, field trips and college visits for the high school students in the program.
• The Van Hornesville Community Corporation will be able to serve the public during the cold winter months at its community center, thanks to a grant of $9,375 to replace outdated furnaces in their two buildings.
• Public television provides quality programming while remaining independent of advertisers. In order to ensure that Central New Yorkers can still access shows such as Sesame Street and Nature, WCNY TV/24 will use a $25,000 grant to purchase equipment that will enhance their coverage in the Utica area.

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.

(Utica, NY) United Way of the Valley and Greater Utica area will hold a forum on July 14, at the 270 Genesee Street office from 8:30 to 10:00 AM. The purpose of the event is to present recently completed research on the most pressing issues facing the Mohawk Valley community and lay the foundation for building solution based partnerships.

“We know there are many complex and converging factors that are impacting children, families and individuals in Herkimer and Oneida Counties,” said Executive Director, Phil Hayne.  “For more than a year we convened volunteer panels of area experts and created an environment that allowed a laser focus on the needs that impact the most people in our community.” Hayne added, “At the same time our United Way formed an alliance with Mohawk Valley EDGE and The Community Foundation to fund the indicators’ project and community website www.hocindicators.org <http://www.hocindicators.org>, which provides data about our region in ten important subject areas and is accessible to the entire community. This combination of expertise and sound data provides a solid foundation for United Way to lead the way by ensuring programs are collaborative, effective, meet the greatest need and produce measurable solutions.”
“Outcomes from the forum will support our mission to promote individual well-being, strengthen families and improve the quality of life in our community,” said Hayne.  “We are proud of what has been accomplished through our donors and volunteers for 88 years, and are committed to achieving even more for the community we serve.”

The event is geared to Oneida and Herkimer County area leaders of social services programs, initiatives and organizations not currently receiving United Way funding. Seating is limited; please call 315.733.4691 ext. 240 to register on or before Friday, July 9.

There are more than 700 community foundations in the United States; of these, The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties is on the list of most active grantmakers at number 97 and the list of most gifts per capita at number 49.

In 2009, The Community Foundation awarded 313 grants in excess of $5.8 million to 139 not-for-profit organizations that serve the residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties. The Foundation also received 1,633 gifts totaling $8,634,244 and 14 new funds were created.

Foundation President & CEO Peggy O’Shea said, “We have long known that we live in one of the most generous communities in the nation, a fact these lists support. It goes to show that we have a great deal of heart and we truly care about our neighbors and the place we call ‘home.’ As a community, we give where we live.”

The lists were released by CF Insights, which compiles and distributes data and information on finances, operations and best practices for community foundations nationwide. CF Insights was established by FSG Social Advisors, which consults foundations on how to accelerate their social impact, and the national association Council on Foundations.

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, including Foundation-funded literacy reports, call 315-735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org. Community indicators project data can be found at the Herkimer & Oneida Counties Indicators website, www.hocindicators.org.

The forum focused on the leadership roles many community foundations are undertaking. This trend is largely due to community foundations’ unique ability to bring together representatives of not-for-profit organizations, businesses and municipalities to work together toward common goals and to provide financial support to achieve those goals. The Community Foundation has most recently played crucial roles in literacy assessments for both Herkimer and Oneida counties and a two-county community indicators project.

“In the community foundation sector, leadership efforts are becoming ever more important,” said O’Shea, “These efforts reflect a shift in how foundations collectively think and operate. Traditionally, foundations have primarily responded to requests for funding, but now more community foundations are taking the initiative to identify opportunities for positive change in their communities and convene stakeholders to collaborate in bringing about these changes.

We will certainly continue to make grants to not-for-profit organizations, but we believe that we must also use our unique perspective to work more proactively toward improving the lives of the residents Herkimer and Oneida counties. The information and guidance we received during this forum will be invaluable as we move forward with our leadership work locally.” O’Shea and Ribble attended sessions in which representatives of other community foundations shared their models and methodologies relating to their leadership projects.

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, including Foundation-funded literacy reports, call 315-735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org. Community indicators project data can be found at the Herkimer & Oneida Counties Indicators website, www.hocindicators.org.

(Utica, NY) The Peacemaker Program, Inc. recently completed an analysis of its 2009 fiscal year showing the agency prevented more than 150 drawn out court battles, saving Oneida and Herkimer county residents nearly $1.7 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 3,212 individuals in 2009. Its mission is to offer inclusive innovative approaches to resolve conflict and achieve positive outcomes for children, families, and the community.

Family Custody/Visitation/Support Mediation helps participants generate their own solutions, and develop mutually acceptable parenting plans with the help of a neutral mediator.  In 2009, 68 families developed their own agreements saving an estimated $850,000.

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, 41 percent of referred cases were settled out of court, saving taxpayers more than an estimated $725,000.

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 2009, 26 families explored their conflicts with the assistance of a neutral mediator, and 98% needed no further intervention from the court system saving an estimated $120,000.

This information as well as The Peacemaker Program, Inc.’s 2009 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.

Dwight E. Vicks, Jr. received the 2010 Rosamond Childs Award for Community Philanthropy and Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program was presented with the 2010 Community Impact Award. The awards were given as part of The Community Foundation’s Celebration of Community Giving at the Stanley Center for the Arts.

The Rosamond Childs Award is given to an individual who exhibits the spirit of giving and profound commitment to the community as exemplified by Rosamond G. Childs, The Foundation’s first and most generous benefactor. Dwight Vicks, Jr. was a trustee of The Community Foundation for 17 years and served as its second board president, from 1992-1995. During his time on the board, he worked tirelessly to ensure The Foundation’s future by growing its assets, which allowed for greater community grantmaking, and putting important policies and long-term plans in place. He led his family business, Vicks Lithograph, for decades and served as a trustee for several organizations and businesses in addition to The Community Foundation.

The Community Impact Award recognizes a not-for-profit organization that has used its grant support for extraordinary impact and results, and demonstrates excellence in services and programs. Over the course of 16 years, The Community Foundation has made 17 grants totaling more than $268,000 to Young Scholars Liberty Partnerships Program, and awarded $250,000 in college scholarships to students from the program. Young Scholars is a partnership between the Utica City School District and Utica College; it is a multi-year program designed to meet the challenge of motivating teenage students to stay in school, earn a diploma and pursue post-secondary education.

The Community Foundation also formally welcomed two new trustees at the celebration. Richard Callahan, retired Partners Trust Bank Vice President and Eve Van de Wal, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Regional President, began their first 3-year terms in May, following The Foundation’s annual meeting. Outgoing trustees Robert Julian, Esq. and Theodore Max, MD were thanked for their combined 13 years of service on behalf of the residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties.

“We need look no further than these dedicated community members to see the commitment and compassion that is a hallmark of our area. People like Mr. Vicks, those who work on behalf of Young Scholars and volunteer trustees are truly dedicated to the region and believe in the potential of its residents. We are indebted to them as a community, for they have helped make us stronger,” said Peggy O’Shea, Foundation president and CEO.

This is the fifth annual presentation of these awards. Previous recipients of the Rosamond Childs Award are Richard Hanna, F. Eugene Romano and the late Richard W. Couper and Addison White. In 2006, two not-for-profit organizations, CAP-21 and Compassion Coalition, received the Community Impact Award. It was awarded to Thea Bowman House in 2007, Community Transportation Systems in 2008 and Johnson Park Center in 2009.

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.

Applications can be obtained at the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union #2, 7705 Maltlage Drive, Liverpool, NY, from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. the first Thursday of each month during the recruitment period (except on holidays, when there will be no recruitment).

The committee requires that applicants:

* Must be at least 18 years old.

* Must at least have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).

* Must be physically able to perform the work required, which includes the ability to lift 50-100 lbs.

* Must have reliable transportation to and from job sites and classes of related instruction.

* Must have a valid driver’s license to operate company vehicles.

* Must be a six month resident of Local #2’s geographic jurisdiction, which includes the counties of: Hamilton, Montgomery, Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Essex, Franklin, Warren, Washington, Clinton, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Lewis, Onondaga, Cayuga, Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence.

For further information, applicants should contact the New York State Department of Labor office located nearest their home or Local Union # 2 at 315-622-2081.

Apprentice programs registered with the Department of Labor must meet standards established by the Commissioner. Under state law, sponsors of programs cannot discriminate against applicants because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or marital status. Women and minorities are encouraged to submit applications for apprenticeship programs. Sponsors of programs are required to adopt affirmative action plans for the recruitment of women and minorities.

Herkimer County Dairy Princess

With the hot summer months approaching everyone is in need of a cool and easy to make treat. What better of a way than to cool down with dairy during Dairy Month? Enjoy this Lemon Trifle with a glass of cold milk to fulfill one of the three daily servings of dairy needed. It is important that consumers of all ages are incorporating their three servings of dairy every day, especially during these hot summer months.

A trifle is easy to make, and something the whole family is sure to love! Lemon Trifle can be found in Best of Taste of Home- the First 10 Years cookbook, a recipe submitted by Pat Stevens. Enjoy!

Lemon Trifle

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1 carton (8 ounces) lemon yogurt

1/3 cup of lemon juice

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 cups whipped topping

1 angel food cake (10 inches) cut into 1 inch cubes

2 cups fresh raspberries

½ cup flaked coconut, toasted

Fresh mint, optional

In a bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Fold in whipped topping. Place half of the cake cubes in a trifle bowl or 2- qt. serving bowl. Top with half of the lemon mixture. Repeat layers. Top with raspberries. Garnish with coconut and mint if desired. Yield: 14 servings.