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August 2024: Updates & Opportunities
Our full-service Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center is located in downtown Ithaca in Center Ithaca on the Commons, and we offer services for every job seeker. Tompkins Workforce New York is a collaboration of agencies with Tompkins County Workforce Development, the New York State Department of Labor, and lead partners. Every individual should be able to have a chance to meet their potential and we are here to help. Please visit our website to learn more and connect with us!
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 College Initiative Upstate is currently seeking applicants for enrollment in the fall ’24 College Prep program. This free 8-week session prepares participants for either starting or completing college. As a program of OAR, CIU’s courses and services welcome formerly incarcerated individuals as well as those who: have a high school diploma or GED, are court-involved, are stable in their recovery, are underemployed, or have low income.
Why focus on education? Research indicates that education and vocational training have a strong impact on whether formerly incarcerated individuals reoffend. A study at Emory University found that recidivism rates among those who complete some high school courses are around 55%, whereas rates among those who complete an associate degree are around 13.7%. The recidivism rate among formerly incarcerated people who complete a bachelor's degree is only 5.6%.
“Higher education is the first big step in changing your future. Once a person enrolls in College Prep, they are considered a STUDENT.” says Sherron Brown, the Deputy Director of OAR and the Director of CIU. “Most students experience an identity shift, and they now see themselves as students. And from this point, we look forward. We don't look back.”
While there are other resources & services for formerly incarcerated people, no one in Upstate New York is doing what CIU does. In addition to academic services, CIU connects students with other human service resources they need, such as childcare, jobs at the Finger Lakes ReUse Center, or legal assistance.
Attending College Prep Classes consistently is essential, so CIU maintains communication with Ithaca and Tompkins County’s network of human service providers to ensure that the class schedule is manageable for all. There are also hours built into the schedule to make up for absences or requests for extra tutoring.
Local courts recognize CIU as an Alternative to Incarceration (ATI), meaning that a judge can give the individual a choice of participating in CIU programming instead of going to jail. The College Prep classes focus on key areas to prepare students for college: reading, writing, math, & computer skills. Professors from Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) guide the students through educational modules, and a tutor provides additional classroom support. The mathematics modules are self-directed, so students can proceed at their own pace.
“We work hard to level the playing field for students who have barriers to higher education,” says Sherron.
For reading and writing classes, the instructor assigns a book, which is typically on a topic that relates to students’ life experiences. The class reflects on the theme through group discussions and writing assignments including journaling exercises.
 Weekly, community presenters supplement the program’s academics with topics such as self-assessments for job readiness, poetry, financial literacy, and physical movement. At the end of the 8 weeks, individuals who successfully complete College Prep receive a certificate and a Chromebook during a graduation ceremony honoring their dedication and investment in themselves.
To date, CIU programs have served some 250 individuals, with over 50 completing associate, bachelor, or graduate degrees. Many people who graduated from CIU give back to the program and the community. Their lived experiences in the legal system help them support others in navigating the impacts of incarceration.
Anita Lee, College Prep class of fall '23 is currently a TC3 student majoring in Business Administration and is seeking credentials in Medical Office Assistance. Bridget Kelley is also from College Prep’s class of ’23. As a full-time honor student at TC3, Bridget has never looked back. She’s completed one semester so far and looks forward to starting her second semester in August. She is determined to maintain her Dean’s List status while aiming for a degree in Nursing!
Enrollment for CIU’s College Prep is currently open, with the start date of October 1st for the fall session. In addition to College Prep, CIU also offers College Access for students who are already enrolled in college. WebWise is another CIU program specifically designed to support online learners through unique educational challenges of online or remote learning.
Almost 100% of CIU students qualify for full financial aid through NYS and federal grants. They also qualify for TC3’s Pathways Scholarship for non-traditional students. CIU doesn’t pay tuition, but they do pay for transcript and application fees, textbooks, a semester-long bus pass for commuting students, and more!
Do you think you qualify for CIU’s services?
You do qualify if you: have a high school diploma or GED, are court-involved, are formerly incarcerated, are stable in your recovery, are underemployed, or have low income. Both first-time and returning students are welcome to apply. If this program sounds right for you, call 607-351-5028 or 607-351-3201 to make an appointment or register.
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 If you are seeking a job or career with flexibility, a work/life balance, and a pleasant work culture, Tompkins Financial could be the right employer for you. Tompkins Financial provides the community with full-service banks, financial education, community support, and care for both customers and employees. Workforce Development proudly collaborates with Tompkins Financial on workforce solutions through the Workforce Development Board, on which Scott Pronti, the Vice President of Tompkins Financial’s Human Resources, is the Chair.
Under Tompkins Financial, you can work in banking, insurance, or wealth management. There are currently open positions for both part-time and full-time tellers, which is a great entry-level position. Traits Tompkins Financial is seeking in candidates for entry-level positions are proficiency in basic mathematics and technology, customer service skills, and the ability to multi-task.
Employees have Sundays off, access to all financial services, and eligibility for benefits. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid time off, 401k 2% matching, tuition reimbursement, and profit sharing. Some positions are eligible to work hybrid or remotely as well. For those who start out in-person as bank tellers, there are many opportunities to advance within the organization.
“The benefits are amazing, you get to make a difference in your community, and leadership listens to you when you put forward possible ways to be more efficient,” says Paula, one of Tompkins Financial’s team members. On top of donations to community organizations, the trust company also incentivizes employees to volunteer in the community and provide further support.
Tompkins Financial is an important part of our region’s community and economy. If you are interested in working as a valued member of their team, visit their career webpage.
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 The following is a contribution from one of the participants in the Summer Youth Employment Program, Ethan Zheng. He is 15 years old and currently attends Ithaca High School. His worksite for the duration of SYEP is the Workforce Development office and Career Center.
We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Jaime Cone Hughes for her insightful article published in the Tompkins Weekly, which shed light about the important work and impact of the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) for young people. What is SYEP? SYEP is a 6 – 8-week program that offers paid job opportunities to participants ages 14-20 during the summer. SYEP provides participants opportunities to explore interests and career paths facilitated by trainings, orientations, guest speakers and presenters, and working with others. Along with teaching skill sets in work, SYEP has also taught participants other skill sets useful in the real world, such as filling out timesheets, and opening a bank account.
A major goal of SYEP is to help youth overcome some of the barriers of employment such as age, experience, financials, transportations, and others by promoting participation from youths with diverse backgrounds. SYEP also has its sights on future goals, which aim to promote its outreach to more communities in Tompkins County, in terms of potential work sites and employees. In combination with the Ithaca Youth Bureau’s YES program, SYEP has over 80 worksites stretching across Tompkins County. The program is funded by the New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, and overseen by the Workforce Development’s leadership and the Workforce Development Board’s Youth Oversight Committee.
The Summer Youth Employment Program is making a meaningful impact in our communities by connecting young people with job opportunities. The program is helping participants gain work experience, learn soft skills, build their resumes, and earn a steady income.
SYEP is a testament to the ability of a community-built program, and we’d love to praise the Tompkins Weekly for bringing this story to the forefront.
Individuals interested in getting involved or have a question about the program, can contact Tompkins County Workforce Development’s services at 607-272-7570, email tbasilius@tompkins-co.org, and visit their website. Visit the Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center at 171 East MLK Jr. Street, Ithaca, NY 14850.
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One of the members of the Workforce Development staff is Cassidy Stanley, our Disability Resource Coordinator (DRC) and Workforce Development Specialist. Cassidy specializes in educating the public about benefits, accommodations, and work opportunities for people with disabilities.
“Many people think they will lose their benefits if they go back to work, but it’s not true,” says Cassidy. She can help people with disabilities learn about how a job’s hours and pay will affect benefits. She also helps people who qualify sign up for Ticket to Work, a program for people aged 18-64 who receive Disability Insurance or SSI. Ticket to Work participants receive free employment services that can help them decide whether working is right for them, and if so, guide them back into the workforce.
The DRC position is funded by the New York State Systems Change and Inclusive Opportunities Network (NY SCION) initiative. Each participating Workforce Development Board receives funding to promote inclusive employment opportunities. This project began on January 1, 2021, and was extended to 2026. One of the approaches in the project includes Integrated Resource Teams (IRTs), in which a DRC and other service providers may meet with customers and a family member or care coordinator to determine steps forward to support the customer’s goals.
Under NY SCION, Tompkins County Workforce Development has also worked to develop partnerships with educational institutions, businesses, and other service providers. Partners work together to develop opportunities for career services, benefits advisement, and job trainings.
One of the outcomes of these partnerships is the creation of events such as the Disability and Transition Resource Fair, as well as the Re-entry Resource Fair. These events allow the public to meet disability service providers and learn more about local resources.
Cassidy is well-connected with many other organizations in the community who provide services to people with disabilities. Since she began working in disability services in 2013, she has worked at both Unity House and Challenge, two valued partners of Workforce Development. “My goal was to work at Tompkins Workforce because I went there as a youth for services,” she says. “Working at Unity House and Challenge opened up my eyes to how these folks just need the right support.”
Cassidy welcomes anyone with a disability to reach out, even if they do not know if they are eligible for Ticket to Work.
“The best part of working with me is you don’t have to know what you need,” Cassidy says. “You can just call me with your questions.”
For questions about disability services, contact Cassidy at cstanley@tompkins-co.org.
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The following is a collaboration with Ethan Zheng, Summer Youth Employment Program participant.
For most of the year, John Dann works as an instructor at TST BOCES. This summer though, he decided to participate in the Teacher Ambassador Program, so for four weeks, he worked for the Department of Labor.
Why give up four weeks of his summer vacation? In those four weeks, he toured numerous businesses, worked in our Career Center, and learned more about services for people transitioning from school to the workforce. When school is back in session, Dann will then bring the information he learned back to the school and tell the students about the countless career opportunities in Tompkins County.
Here are some of the businesses and organizations John Dann toured!
Cargill & the Cayuga Salt Mine
Cargill Deicing Technology operates the Cayuga Salt Mine in Lansing, NY. This mine produces about 2 million tons of road salt per year, most of which is used in the northeast region of the United States. The worksite boasts top tier mine safety standards and procedures, as well as regular environmental risk assessments to ensure that the surrounding ecology does not experience any significant adverse impacts.
Under Cargill, the Cayuga Salt Mine also donates funds and pays employees to donate volunteer hours to local organizations, such as Better Housing of Tompkins County, the Ithaca Science Center, and Salt Point Cleanup. For additional information, visit their website.
 Ithaca Tompkins International Airport
The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is the main airport of the region. Its facilities are modern and comfortable for both travelers and employees. As Tompkins County employees, the airport staff receive excellent benefits. The airport even partners with the East Hill Flying Club to offer flight training for those seeking pilot careers. For additional information, visit their website.
Liquid State Brewing Company
Liquid State Brewing, founded in 2016, is a brewery based in Ithaca. The company is dedicated to creating small-batch, high-quality beers. In addition to great local beer, Liquid State is known for its attractive can designs. The location at 620 West Green Street holds public events such as open mics and live musicians. Under the same roof is food from Silo Food Truck. For additional information, visit their website.
 Challenge Workforce Solutions
Challenge Workforce Solutions, founded in 1972, is a human service organization located at 950 Danby Road Suite 179, Ithaca, NY 14850. Challenge is dedicated to creating pathways to employment for people with disabilities or barriers, reflecting its commitment to help those in need. Some of the employment services Challenge offers are job placement, pre-employment, benefits planning, youth employment, and travel training services. For additional information, visit their website or contact Briggs Seekins, Director of Employment and Vocational Services, at 607-272-8990 or briggss@challenge.org.
Knickerbocker
Knickerbocker, founded more than 100 years ago, is a bed frame manufacturer located in Ithaca, NY. With all products manufactured within the United States, the company’s products are sold at competitive prices without sacrificing quality. For additional information, visit their website.
Cornell NanoScale Facility
Cornell NanoScale, founded in the 1970s, is a Nanotechnology branch of Cornell University, located in Ithaca. Cornell Nanotech provides efficient access to nanotechnology infrastructure and expertise at the service of advancing science, engineering and technology at the nanoscale. Cornell Nanotech conducts several studies throughout every year to further scientific exploration. Ron Olson, Director of Operations at Cornell NanoScale, is also a member of the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board. For additional information, visit Cornell NanoScale's website.
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Prepare for the Fair
Attending a job fair any time soon, such as the Oven Fresh Job Fair on August 29th at HomeTowne Studios in Cortland? Wondering what you should bring? What you should wear? What should you say to employers as you stop by their booths/tables?
On August 15th, 10-11:30am, come speak with Dara Riegel about what to expect when attending job fairs. You can also get feedback on your resume, your "pitch," your cover letter, and more! We hope to see you there.
Southern Tier Career Fair
The NYS Department of Labor's monthly Southern Tier Career Fair is on August 15th at 11am. Register and attend to network with employers such as Lakeview Health Services, Pathfinder Village, and Springbrook. Job openings for attending businesses include teaching assistant, machinist, auditor, and environmental service aide. Register to discover more.
Disability Resource Workshops & Webinars
Visit our calendar webpage to sign up for available webinars and workshops about disability resources. Some of the covered topics include independent living resources, disability benefits information, and transition planning.
Department of Labor Webinars
The New York State Department of Labor is hosting informational sessions on Zoom every weekday for the rest of August. These virtual workshops are free and available to the public through online signup links. While most of the webinars are in English, many topics are also covered in Spanish during separate webinars. This month's topics include job fair preparation, communication skills, and using age to your advantage.
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For questions regarding the newsletter, please contact Scout Frost, Communications Specialist: sfrost@tompkins-co.org
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