Written By: Aster Parrott, Director of Public Health Infrastructure at the Rural Health Institute of New York and Ashley Lewis, Epidemiologist at the Rural Health Institute of New York From November 2024 to April 2025, the Rural Health Institute of New York (RHI) and other Cortland County community partners successfully piloted a low-threshold, data-driven daytime… Read more »
Central Current recently published an article detailing New York State’s efforts to address a long-standing challenge for nonprofits: delayed payments on state contracts. Legislators have approved an overhaul that includes provisions such as 25 percent advance payments, interest on late reimbursements, and automatic contract renewals—steps designed to relieve the heavy financial strain nonprofits face when… Read more »
Two and a half percent. That is the percentage of one-year-olds in Onondaga County who tested positive for lead poisoning in 2024. That is also the percentage of lead poisoning cases that could have been prevented with an early warning system designed to intervene when children are in the extremely vulnerable 0-12 month age range.… Read more »
Guest Authors: Maribel Arce, Director of Grants and Planning, PEACE, Inc. Todd Goehle, Vice President of Operations and Strategy, PEACE, Inc. In November 2024, PEACE, Inc. and FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. convened more than 80 community leaders, service providers, funders, and family members. Through the support of the Central New York Community Foundation, the Kresge… Read more »
The arts are a significant economic driver for Central New York, and the arts landscape developing on South Salina Street is a vital part of the financial growth of Downtown Syracuse. In June Redhouse Arts Center will unveil a new LED marquee, joining the historic Landmark Theatre marquee to provide Syracuse with two beacons of… Read more »
Exclusionary zoning regulations contribute to Onondaga County’s housing crisis by restricting the number and variety of homes available in our community. Too many people are stuck in housing they can’t afford and that does not meet their needs because the 34 different municipal zoning codes that govern the construction of housing in Onondaga County make… Read more »
Guest Article: Todd Goehle, Vice President of Operations and Strategy “I’m frequently asked ‘What is the biggest issue or need in our community?’ I tell them, ‘Poverty.’ They often respond, ‘No, what is the biggest issue…is it employment, transportation, etc.?’ I again say, ‘It’s Poverty.” Central New York has the potential for a “moment.” The… Read more »
It started with milk deliveries — “gallons and gallons and gallons of milk.” At the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, The American Dairy Association had a milk surplus, and needed community support to distribute it before it spoiled. ADA organizers reached out to Central New York’s InterFaith Works for help. “So, we began to deliver… Read more »
Community health, like personal health, requires a holistic approach. To thrive as a community, we need strong employment opportunities, access to good homes, and schools that prepare our young people for the future to name a few. In order to determine the economic health of an area, experts look at metrics like education, home ownership,… Read more »
Article Submitted by Maura Ackerman on behalf of the Syracuse-Onondaga Food Systems Alliance, a coalition of local changemakers dedicated to a more just and equitable food future in the Central New York region, in partnership with the undersigned individuals and organizations. We, the undersigned individual citizens and advocates from 15 community agencies in Central New… Read more »
Guest Article: Benjamin Lockwood, President & CEO of Housing Visions There is talk everywhere about the need for more affordable housing at the local, state, and federal level. There is clearly a need, but what is affordable housing? If I ask five different people to define affordable rental housing, I will get five different answers… Read more »
