Archive: Around Town

Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca announced the successful completion of their 'Opening New Doors' capital campaign to raise $2.5 million for a new home at 127 West State St at a donor Celebration last Friday, the 26th of March at LaTourelle Resort & Spa. The 'Opening New Doors' campaign was the most ambitious fund-raising effort in the agency’s 125-year history and ensures the continuation as well as expansion of vitally important mental health services, youth, and senior services.

The campaign began in 2007, under the leadership of co-chairs Gene Yarussi & Sandy True, with the goal of consolidating all of the agency’s services in one centrally located, handicapped accessible building, with the kind and quantity of space necessary to meet the growing demand for the agency’s many counseling and other key services for children, adults, and families in our area. 
 
“It has been a distinct pleasure fund-raising for such a worthy cause to support such an extraordinary organization. Gene and I feel very humbled by the generosity of our community and its willingness to extend a hand to those in need,” True said. 
 
Family & Children’s Service officials say they are especially thankful for the many lead gifts they received early on in the campaign from donors, including Cornell University, The Park Foundation, Emerson Power Transmission, BorgWarner and very generous individual contributors.
 
Highlights of the campaign included a special initiative to recognize, long time friend and Board Member Frances A. Ramin, by naming the agency’s new waiting room in her memory through designated gifts from friends and family totaling $250,000.
 

Family & Children’s Service was received a total of $500,000 in New York State Empire Zone credits, enabling donors who contributed cash gifts of $1,000 or more to receive an additional 25% New York State tax deduction on top of their standard charitable gift deduction. Even though the campaign has reached its goal, Family & Children’s Service will leave the door a-jar for any donors who wish to take advantage of the Empire Zone Tax credits between now and when the program sunsets on June 30, 2010.
          
The purchase of the new building, made possible by the campaign, has already enhanced and expanded the agency’s ability to provide quality, professional services to our community. Since moving in, Family & Children’s Services has hired six new staff to meet the pressing demand for services. The new facility features an inviting and ample waiting room, an observation room with two-way mirrors, a consultation room, training room and two large rooms for family and group counseling. Once the agency fully consolidates all of our services in its new home, there will be space for 38-40 counseling rooms, three group counseling rooms, and a second observation room --All in a beautiful, spacious, modern and centrally located building.
 
Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca is one of the oldest and largest not-for-profit human service agencies in Tompkins County, providing mental health counseling, psychiatry, senior services, and youth services to thousands of community members and to the employees of 66 area businesses through its Employee Assistance Program. Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca is dedicated to providing affordable, professional services that support children, families and organizations in finding solutions to the challenges of life today.

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