Latest news with #AliciaDicks
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
New fund for property owners with damage from Clark Mills tornado, nearby storms
An emergency fund has been set up at the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties to help property owners with damage from the tornado in Clark Mills and severe thunderstorms June 22. The storms killed three people, including 6-year-old twins, and caused widespread damages to homes and buildings. The fund was created through a partnership between the foundation and Oneida County. A similar fund was created last year to help victims of the tornado that touched down in Rome on July 16. "In the wake of such heartbreaking devastation, we are reminded of the deep strength and compassion that unite us as a community," said Alicia Dicks, the foundation's president/CEO. "Our friends in the Town of Kirkland and the surrounding areas are facing unimaginable loss, and they need us — every one of us — now more than ever. This fund is more than financial support; it's a lifeline of hope and a step toward healing for the lives and neighborhoods torn apart by this storm." Anyone who wants to contribute to the fund, whether as an individual, institution or company, can do so online on the Community Foundation website or by mailing a check to the Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee St., Utica, NY 13502. Questions on corporate giving or any kind of gift options can be emailed to Nick Grimmer, chief development officer, at ngrimmer@ Loved ones have started fundraisers on GoFundMe for Kayleigh Bisson, the mother of twins Emily and Kenni who were killed when a tree fell on their home, and for Shelly Johnson, 50, who was also killed when a tree fell on her home. By late afternoon on June 24, the Bisson fundraiser had raised $302,525 toward a $380,000 goal with one donation of $10,000. A GoFundMe fundraiser for Johnson's long-time partner Eddie had raised $26,440 toward a $30,000 goal by late afternoon on June 24. A second fundraiser on GoFundMe, which simply says it is collecting money for Johnson's family to cover funeral and other expenses, has raised $1,650 toward a $9,000 goal. That fundraiser says that Johnson worked at Boscov's. More: What to know about Mohawk Valley cleanup, power restoration, closed roads after tornado More: Cleanup across Mohawk Valley begins after fatal Clark Mills tornado Affected residents may be eligible for up to $5,000 in funding. But Oneida County and the Community Foundation are still working out details of how that fund will be distributed to those who need help in the area of Clark Mills and the Town of Kirkland. 'Oneida County is here to help in every way possible,' Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. said. 'Like last year's Rome Victim Recovery Fund, this assistance will help our residents recover from the damages of June 22's tornado and storms . . . As always, we will get through this together — and be stronger for it.' Residents can begin the application process by calling Oneida County on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (315) 798-5502 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to begin the application process. This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Oneida County, Community Foundation set up fund for tornado damage
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Cornhill Empowerment Center opens, first step of many to revitalization
A project years in the making and one the community has been asking for even longer, the Cornhill Empowerment Center, held its ribbon-cutting ceremony June 18. The building on 230 James Street, once the HomeOwnershipCenter of Utica, is just the first of many steps for the Cornhill Revitalization Project. The Community Foundation, the Mid-Utica Neighborhood Preservation Corporation, People First, The Collective Impact Network, and the City of Utica have partnered to breathe new life into Cornhill. The Cornhill Empowerment Center would serve as a community gathering space, hosting programs offered by the city or area nonprofits, in areas including health and well-being, quality education, workforce development, young programming, and senior day care, At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, local leaders and elected officials signaled the work was not over but had just begun. Alicia Dicks, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, said the foundation is currently working with partners from the Cornhill area and beyond to build two impact centers. These impact centers would serve the community by providing about 100 affordable apartments and 40,000 square feet of commercial and community space. And while that is still being worked on, the Empowerment Center will provide something the community has been asking to have for decades — a gathering place. 'Until those dollars come in and those impact centers are built, we have found partnerships to activate the Empowerment Center here on James Street,' Dicks said. 'Here, we'll be able to provide a space to provide critical programming for youth and seniors and everything inbetween.' Rome Court: Community court in Rome sees early results, mayor says Arrest: Lee man arrested after shooting at parked car Death Investigation: Madison County Sheriff's Office investigating death in Fenner At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, local and state officials like Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenscon, D-119, Senator Joseph Griffo, R-53, Congressman John Mannion, D-22, and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente Jr. were present to welcome the Empowerment Center. 'This is a community that truly cares,' Griffo said. 'This is a result of partnership, collaborations, investments, and the most important thing — the understanding and awareness how this makes a difference. That commitment has been today.' Mannion said he grew up just down the thruway in a neighborhood like Cornhill and recognized just how transformative an institution and an establishment like the Cornhill Empowerment Center and its partners could be. 'This isn't about one block, one building, or one street,' Picente said. 'It's about all of it. The Cornhill Revitalization Project talks about work, detail, and getting into the neighborhood like it should be. This was a vibrant neighborhood. I remember that well. And it will be again.' Galime seconded that, saying the Empowerment Center was the 'first taste.' 'This is going to be the example of what is to come when the James Street and West Street facilities are active,' he said. Galime said in 2015, he ran for council president and walked the streets of Utica. 'Cornhill was one of the places I spent most of my time, just listening to what people said,' the mayor explained. 'And one of the things that was overwhelmingly said was that we needed to wake up buildings for the community. Because where did the boy and girls clubs go? Where did the Y go?' And in 2019, the need had just grown stronger. Something 5th District Utica Councilor Venice Ervin, who represents the Cornhill area, knows personally. Ervin said he grew up and remembered little league baseball, pop warner football, and so much more. 'All the schools were open at night when I was growing up,' Ervin said. 'The Cornhill Revitalization is going to give so much to our youth and put pride into our neighborhood.' This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Cornhill Empowerment Center first step of many to revitalization
