Briefs: Downtown Revitalization Initiative, hygiene kits, more

City leadership seeks input on downtown revitalization

The Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), in partnership with the city of Ithaca and Unbroken Promise Initiative, invites residents to join them at a community input session where they want to hear about the priorities and interests of the broader community pertaining to downtown revitalization.

This session will be held today, Aug. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Tompkins County Public Library, 101 E. Green St., Ithaca, in the BorgWarner Conference Room.

The city, DIA, Unbroken Promise Initiative, Ithaca Area Economic Development and other community entities are working together on an application for the New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant program. The DRI program allocates incentive funding ($10 million) to one community in each of the 10 regions of the state. Your input may be applied to its DRI application and also included in additional long-term planning documents.

While the groups have already convened a group of downtown area stakeholders to advise the DIA and city on grant preparation, they also want to obtain thoughts and ideas those in the community who are interested in the future of downtown Ithaca.

To RVSP for the Downtown Revitalization Public Input Session, or to send regrets, visit tinyurl.com/2f69n6kv.

 

Ithaca Rotary Club funds hygiene kits for Uganda

A grant from the Ithaca Rotary Club has funded a project in Uganda to produce reusable feminine hygiene kits, allowing dozens of girls to attend school during their menstrual periods.

The first set of kits created by a cohort of girls in Gulu, Uganda, was delivered to local schools this summer. The girls began six months of training as seamstresses in May at a women’s cooperative in Gulu.

The project was funded by the Ithaca Rotary Club’s Dozen Dinner Draw raffle, which this year raised $15,000 for two nonprofits that support the menstrual hygiene of girls in Uganda, South Sudan and Guatemala (see tinyurl.com/2qyfowrh). An additional $10,000 challenge grant, offered by Backyard Brands, Inc., was provided to the project in Uganda.

The project in Uganda has been championed by Rotarian Gertrude Noden, an Ithaca education consultant who founded Words into Deeds, a nonprofit that promotes youth awareness and engagement in local and global human rights issues.

Noden noted that the project to create a sustainable model to produce basic hygienic supplies is student-led and includes youth from the UNIFAT Primary School in Uganda and the Abukloi Secondary School in South Sudan, who are helping with both the liquid soap and kit projects. The hygiene kits contain pads, underwear, soap and washcloths and are distributed to school-age girls (many pictured).

 

Hudson Valley grant writing firm creates new Ithaca branch

The Hudson Valley-based grant writing and strategic communications firm Choice Words last month established a new branch, Choice Words Ithaca, opening an office at 120 W. State St. in the heart of downtown. Spearheading the new venture is Choice Words Grants Manager Amanda Heidel (pictured), who recently moved to the area with a willingness to lead the company’s new initiative.

Choice Words founder and President Steve Densmore has long believed that the firm’s grant writing and strategic communications services were needed and would be welcome in other cities and regions throughout New York state.

“Over the last 12 years, Choice Words has clearly demonstrated that our experienced grant writers and researchers provide meaningful assistance to nonprofits, businesses, universities and municipalities that rely upon grant funding in order to support impactful programs and finance important capital projects,” Densmore said. “In less than three years with the company, Amanda Heidel has demonstrated the combination of skills and leadership needed to take on this challenge. I am certain she will serve the region around Ithaca effectively and with distinction.”

Ithaca is home to nearly 150 nonprofits, Cornell University and Ithaca College, making it a prime location for Choice Words’ grant writing and fundraising services, the company said.

“I look forward to serving Ithaca’s local nonprofits, businesses, municipalities and colleges,” Heidel said. “Our goal is to build community and become a resource for small to large nonprofits and other organizations and businesses that rely upon grant funding in the central New York region.”

Since 2010, Choice Words Hudson Valley has helped its clients win more than $103 million in grant awards from private foundations, corporate charities and government sources. In addition, the firm helps municipalities, nonprofits and for-profits prepare Consolidated Funding Applications (CFAs) to access funding from New York state agencies. Choice Words’ clients have been awarded more than $52 million in CFA funding for 76 compelling projects since its inception.

In 2019, Choice Words launched a grants program for small and emerging nonprofits specifically tailored for budding organizations with operating budgets under $100,000. In just over two years, Choice Words has won over $120,000 in grant funding to help small nonprofits blossom into healthy organizations.

To learn more about Choice Words Ithaca, contact Heidel at aheidel@choicewordspr.com or visit choicewordsithaca.com.

 

Cayuga Health appoints VP of marketing and communications

Cayuga Health recently announced that Melissa Tourtellotte (pictured) has been appointed as the vice president of marketing and communications. In this role, Tourtellotte will oversee brand equity and development, internal and external public relations and marketing communications and philanthropic initiatives across the organization.

“I am thrilled to join Cayuga Health and to lead the marketing communications team,” Tourtellotte said. “Cayuga Health is a leader in innovative programs and is growing across the Finger Lakes region to offer care to more community members. My expertise in data-driven marketing and communication will enhance our effectiveness — allowing Cayuga Health to further invest in the services our communities need for optimal well-being.”

Tourtellotte joins Cayuga Health with over 10 years of experience leading rural health system marketing, communications and recruitment teams. Tourtellotte’s first day was Aug. 29. She will report directly to Dr. Martin Stallone, president and CEO of Cayuga Health.

“Melissa brings a level of skill and expertise that will allow us to achieve our goal of deepening the integration of marketing and operations across Cayuga Health,” Stallone said. “I am excited about her experience leading performance-driven teams and developing integrated and creative campaigns for diverse audiences and I look forward to building on the strong, existing foundation we have in marketing and communications under her leadership.”

Previously, Tourtellotte was the director of strategic marketing and communications for the Guthrie Clinic and marketing director at Bassett Healthcare Network (Cooperstown, New York). Most recently, she held the role of senior director of physician recruitment for Guthrie Medical Group (Sayre, Pennsylvania).

“Tourtellotte brings the experience needed to strengthen our health system’s brand, connecting more community members to life-improving care by integrating marketing with clinical operations,” Stallone said. “I believe she has the ability to build on the strong foundation of relationships that we have already developed, ensuring that our marketing strategy supports the needs of community stakeholders.”

Tourtellotte holds a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College (Clinton, New York) and a master’s in marketing from Walden University. She is the past public image chair for Rotary District 7170 and volunteers as the secretary for the Charles H. Bassett Youth Foundation in Owego.

 

Campus Pride names Ithaca College among best for LGBTQ+ students

Ithaca College (IC) is one of just 40 institutions nationwide named among Campus Pride’s 2022 “Best of the Best” colleges and universities for LGBTQ+ students. The preeminent resource for LGBTQ+ leadership development, diversity inclusion and advocacy within higher education, Campus Pride honors institutions that create a safe, welcoming environment for students, faculty and staff alike.

“Campus Pride created the Best of the Best list to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of these colleges and universities creating safer, more welcoming campuses for LGBTQ+ people,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride executive director. “Students, prospective students and their families, along with faculty and staff members, deserve to know whether they will be safe on campus so they can make the best choices for their own academic success — and by creating inclusive, safe environments. these colleges are taking responsibility for all students.”

Campuses included in the ranking have achieved 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index, the definitive national benchmarking tool measuring LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs and practices.

“Ithaca College is a place that empowers students to live as their authentic selves,” said IC President La Jerne Terry Cornish. “This outstanding recognition from Campus Pride is evidence of the hard work of our faculty members, staff and students in fostering our inclusive community on South Hill.”

This fall, IC launched the Open Pages Residential Learning Community (RLC), which is specifically created for transgender and nonbinary students. RLCs are unique housing options made available by Ithaca College’s Office of Residential Life designed to foster meaningful peer connections and belonging through shared interests and lived experiences.

Additionally, the college created the IC Pride Fellowship. One of the first of its kind nationally, the fellowship is for recent graduates and young professionals looking to gain access and insights into the fields of LGBTQ+ campus resource professionals, higher education and student affairs.

“At Ithaca College, progress never stops,” said Luca Maurer, interim executive director for student equity and belonging and the director of the college’s Center for LGBT Education, Outreach and Services. “We continue to innovate to cultivate LGBTQ student success and support students in creating meaningful community and a sense of belonging. Here, LGBTQ students are not only accepted but expected — recognized as integral, necessary, essential members of our campus community and our world.”

Founded in 1892, IC is a residential college dedicated to building knowledge and confidence through a continuous cycle of theory, practice and performance. Home to some 5,400 students, the college offers 90 degree programs in its schools of Business, Communications, Humanities and Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Performance, and Music, Theatre, and Dance.

For more information, visit ithaca.edu.