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Irondequoit Garden Walks -  Thanks to the group of members who helped clean up Irondequoit Lighthouse garden early Saturday morning.  Everyone who attended the walk had very good experiences.  Members enjoyed a post party at Dan’s house after the event to celebrate.

Lynn Wozniak received an email from Irondequoit Rec Department with all their upcoming events.  Application forms are available for for each and our club will participate as in the past.  

Upcoming Events:

Calendar:  Remember, next week, we are at the Rochester Farm Market for Foodtruck Rodeo.  The next week, there is no meeting on Aug 5 because we will be at National Night Out on Aug 4th.  

Justin Kuczma, Volunteers of America (VOA) is our speaker tonight.  Justin is Fundraising Director at VOA and is working hard to raise awareness.  VOA has been around for over 130 years but few people know what exactly they do.  History:  founders were part of Salvation Army but split off in order to  stay in the US (from Europe).  The name “Volunteers”  came from the idea that they would go to places others won’t…  VOA is a national organization with local affiliates such as the Upstate NY affiliate that includes Rochester, Binghamton, and Ithaca.  Their main mission is to provide housing for homeless.  Other services include child care centers, a prison re-entry program and a hydroponic farm.   Over 10,000 persons are served each year.

For their housing mission, VOA runs 2 emergency family centers with 58 units.  6-12 families moving in/out every day.  Each family gets a case manager to help which is more than other programs provide.  70% of people in centers are employed but have no money saved so one issue can leave them homeless.  They also face mental health, drug dependency, etc. issues.  Justing has many stories of how VOA have helped individuals get back on their feet.  In additionk they direct people to other resources when it meets the need.

The Children’s Care Center has about 150 children but will be closer to 300 in the fall.   It provides educational programs focused on early shildhood development and school readiness through play-based learning.   Child care is provided for infants, toddlers, universal pre-K plus summer and after school programs for school aged children.

The Re-Entry Program helps adults make a positive transition from incarceration back into the community through Residential Reentry Center which provides housing, case management, and employment assistance.

The Hydroponic Farm addresses food security through sustainable urban farming.

90% of their 20M budget funded by government. Break-even every year is the goal. 178 Employees. Includes Ithaca and Binghampton.  Justin needs to raise the other 10% so that they have unrestricted funds to handle unseen emergencies.

September 13 is a fundraiser - Hike to End Homeless at St. John Fisher University.  $20 to sign up.  Free t-shirt, One mile.    See more INFO HERE.

Many happy dollars for:  Foundation, Polio, Speaker, Dan’s Party & yard, Meal, and Steve’s new admin. Mulching crew at Lighthouse.

Brandon Barnhart for joining Board of Greece Chamber of Commerce and new coaching jobs.

Ray Holla for Camp Haccamo week coming up and he went to camp last weekend to clean up by Playhouse.  No light on flagpole.

Tom Kosanke for a trip to Lake George.