Archive: Around Town

One year after being recognized as the Campus Organization of the Year by United Way Worldwide, the Cornell Student United Way will receive the LIVE UNITED in ACTION – Income Award.

The Cornell students are being recognized for their support of the United Way of Tompkins County (UWTC) Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Program. Congratulations to Cornell Student UWTC Chair Jessica Zhao ’12, and Vice Chair Alan Workman ’13, for their leadership and dedication to our area youth and nonprofit programs with guidance and support from Student United Way Campus Advisor, Ron Seeber, Sr. Vice Provost at Cornell and a Professor of Industrial and Labor Relations.

Student United Ways are campus-based clubs or organizations led by students on more than sixty campuses across the United States.  These student leaders are advancing the common good by giving, advocating, and volunteering in an effort to improve their local communities in the areas of education, income, and health. This year’s awards will be presented at the United Way Worldwide Community Leaders Conference, May 2nd, in Nashville, TN.

The Stephen E. Garner Summers of Service Program was the vision of Jonathan Feldman, Cornell University ’08, in memory of Stephen E. Garner who served as UWTC Campaign Chair and UWTC Board Chair. Steve was President & CEO of Tompkins Trust Company, an active volunteer, and advocate for individuals and families in our communities.

Now an established and important teen employment effort in Tompkins County, the program provides paid positions ($1,500 each) to local high school students to work full-time during the summers at UWTC member organizations . Fundraising activities (Duff Ball Senior Prom, Mortar Board Gala, New Greek Leaders) and events (A Capella United Concert), conducted by Cornell’s Student United Way generate the majority of revenue to support the program. The annual internships give high school students the opportunity to learn firsthand about civic engagement and the health and human services sector in Tompkins County.

During the summer of 2011, five interns, entering their senior year in high school, were placed with four agencies: The Brooktondale Community Center, Greater Ithaca Activities Center, YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County, and the Women's Opportunity Center.

Patricia Brhel, the Brooktondale Community Center’s (BCC) Chairman of the Board said, “Our intern, Tiara, helped us throughout the summer with projects she had never experienced like transplanting vegetables and seeds in the Caroline Food Pantry Garden, setting up Food Pantry Distributions, helping to organize the Brooktondale Apple Fest, and taking an active role in the BCC’s Youth Summer Camp.”

Working with others United Way of Tompkins County… Supports individuals in their efforts to live self-sufficient, productive lives, Connects families with their communities, Encourages diverse agencies and communities to engage each other to achieve mutual goals, Models and expects fairness, dignity, and respect.

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