Kids in the Edwards-Knox school district are warmer this winter thanks to the amazing coat giveaway we held in collaboration with Fuccillo Subaru and Operation Warm – huge shoutout to both organizations for being so great and rallying together to make the event a success – and the school district for connecting us with so many great families!

We absolutely loved seeing all the smiling faces as the children found coats, hats and mittens to keep them nice and cozy during the winter, and even books to enjoy at home courtesy of North Country Library System.

This collaborative effort aligned so well with our mission to unite communities, resources, and partners to address local needs, foster impactful programming, and enhance the overall quality of life – and we couldn’t be happier with how it all turned out.

When United Way was approached to lead the distribution of coats locally, the Edwards Knox school district emerged as an ideal choice. Recognizing the district’s commitment to its students and the prevalent need within its rural setting, United Way saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact. The district’s community-oriented approach aligns seamlessly with the values of this initiative, making it the perfect distribution site for the event.

In 2024, Subaru and its retailers are visiting local shelters and support agencies to provide more than 150,000 children with brand-new necessities like coats, shoes, and socks. These essential items not only help keep children protected, warm, and dry, they can have a significant impact on a child’s mental and emotional well-being. This initiative is part of the Subaru Love Promise, Subaru’s commitment to improving lives in the communities where its employees live and work.

Operation Warm is a national nonprofit that manufactures brand-new, high-quality coats and shoes for children in need. Through partnerships with compassionate individuals, community organizations, and corporations across North America, Operation Warm provides emotional warmth, confidence to socialize and succeed, and hope of a brighter future by using the gift as a catalyst for community connection.

This collaborative effort not only provides essential warmth but also exemplifies the positive outcomes that can be achieved when communities, resources, and partners unite for a common cause. United Way remains dedicated to fostering a sense of togetherness, creating lasting change, and improving the well-being of those in need, and we look forward to continued partnerships with both Operation Warm and Fuccillo Subaru!

In our North Country communities, stories of resilience and transformation often emerge from the collaborative efforts of organizations committed to making a difference. The partnership between Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. (LCOI) and United Way of Northern New York exemplifies the power of collective action in empowering individuals and families to overcome their obstacles and thrive.

Recently, Lewis County Opportunities received an inquiry from an individual previously working as a Home Health Aide, whose world was upended when his assigned patient transitioned to a nursing center, leaving him without income. Due to this, he took his car off the road while he waited for another assignment. It never came.

Eventually, this individual turned to LCOI for assistance in getting his vehicle back on the road, essential not only for daily living needs but also for securing new employment opportunities.

However, the path ahead was fraught with challenges. Despite his efforts to secure employment verification, bureaucratic hurdles impeded his progress. The situation seemed bleak until he secured a job offer at Carthage Hospital, only to discover that his CNA certification had expired, rendering him ineligible to start work. Undeterred, he pursued an opportunity with Samaritan Medical Center, which offered CNA classes to regain certification, marking a pivotal moment in his journey toward stability.

Amidst these trials, United Way assistance helped to light the way. With that support, LCOI facilitated rides to job interviews, paving the way for employment opportunities that would otherwise remain out of reach. With the groundwork laid by United Way, further assistance was extended to covering the costs of vehicle registration and insurance, removing barriers that threatened to derail this individual’s progress.

Today, that man stands on the cusp of a brighter future. Employed full-time and enrolled in a CNA course, he embodies the resilience and determination that define our community. Through the enduring partnership between Lewis County Opportunities, Inc. and United Way of Northern New York, we focus our collective resolve to uplift and empower every member of our community, one life at a time.

United, we can truly make a difference.

The latest edition of the United Way newsletter is now available.  Click here to download this issue highlighting the scope of work and impact of the United Way.       

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On February 7, United Way hosted a meeting of graduates of the “Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by World” workshop series, during which they were introduced to Jillian Redder, the Director of Housing and Special Initiatives for Jefferson County.  Graduates, some of whom have experienced homelessness firsthand, shared their feedback on potential programs to address homelessness.  The group offered valuable insight into barriers to housing assistance, the effectiveness of existing services, and ideas for robust programming to help people move into long-term stable housing.

Jillian was impressed with the graduates’ candor and energy and agreed to take their ideas back to the Homeless Advisory Group.  The graduates look forward to learning how their input will be integrated into program design and are already planning to invite Jillian back for another discussion around this critical issue. 

The meeting was part of Staying Ahead, a grassroots effort to provide a platform for graduates to continue to build resources.  The group meets again on Wednesday, March 6 at 4:30 PM for two individual workshops focused on administering Narcan and steps to help save a life from suicide. 

Open to all Getting Ahead graduates, Staying Ahead will take place the first Wednesday of each month with different topics based on the preferences and interests of those attending.  For more information, contact Dawn Cole at (315) 788-5631.

About Getting Ahead
“Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-by World” is an innovative workshop experience based on the work of “Bridges out of Poverty.”  Over the course of 16 – 18 weeks, participants referred to as investigators, work through a curriculum designed to provide the tools and strategies for moving out of poverty. Investigators take a deep dive into the impact of poverty on their own lives and in the community with each cohort conducting a comprehensive assessment of community conditions. 

Several organizations, including United Way of Northern New York, are committed to providing ongoing support to those making the arduous journey out of generational poverty.  For more information about how you can help Getting Ahead / Staying Ahead, please contact Dawn Cole at dawn.cole@unitedway-nny.org or (315) 788-5631.

SeaComm Federal Credit Union recently presented a combined total of $50,000 to local not-for-profits as a way to enrich the communities we live in. This financial support was made in conjunction with the Small Business Recovery Grant Program provided by the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) in putting needed funds into five not-for-profits hands to assist them in their vital missions and carrying out our mission of people helping people,” said Scott A. Wilson, President & Chief Executive Officer.

We are incredibly grateful to have been presented with a $10,000 check alongside our fellow nonprofits: St. Lawrence County Historical Association, Police Activities League of Massena, Massena Arts and Theater Association, and St Lawrence Power and Equipment Museum.

Thanks again to SeaComm for their continued support!

Join us for this new monthly series of virtual learning and networking sessions with topics to include Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Cultural Competency Regarding the LGBT+ Community; The Makings of a Strong Grant Proposal; and more!

Lunch and Learn United workshops take place on the first Thursday of the month, between 11:45 am and 1:00 pm via Zoom.

The first session on Thursday, February 1 features speaker Anne Garno, Director of Education for the North Country Prenatal/Perinatal Council, who will be presenting on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. During this session, we will discuss important topics related to DEI such as definitions of frequently used terms including intersectionality, bias, and privilege and how that impacts our work and effectiveness in the fields of healthcare, education and human services.

Anne Garno is the Director of Education at NCPPC.  In her role, she oversees the agency’s Youth Services and Professional Development initiatives.  She is a certified facilitator for a number of programs including DEI, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Adult Mental Health First Aid, Health Literacy, Trauma-Informed Care, and Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE).  She has a Master’s Degree in Education and is completing a Master’s Degree in Public Health.