Perspective: Syracuse History, Civic Engagement, and George Floyd
Thousands of Central New Yorkers gathered in downtown Syracuse over the weekend of June 6th to protest police brutality and other forms of systemic, institutionalized racism. Also present were law enforcement, elected officials, and representatives from many nonprofit organizations.
Broadening Perspectives: When will Black America be able to Breathe?
The United States of America is in the midst of a public health crisis, and Central New York is no exception. In the last few months, that crisis has been represented by COVID-19, a global pandemic that has taken the lives of over 100,000 people. The recent police killing of George Floyd reminded us that the pandemic does not stand alone.
The Haven at Skanda: an Interview with Ellen Beckerman
The Haven at Skanda We sat down with Ellen Beckerman – Executive Director of The Haven at Skanda to learn about how this innovative animal sanctuary is expanding its services and reaching more people in the face of a global pandemic. Please note that this interview...
Perspective: What about the Kids without a Computer during COVID-19?
On March 16th, schools were ordered to close while teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and volunteers were suddenly faced with the unprecedented and formidable challenge of converting the rest of the school year to an online format. We spoke with Promise Zone Supervisor Raquan Pride about lack of internet access and digital infrastructure among students as well as the creative approaches being implemented to address those problems.
Our Response to the COVID-19 Virus
Our Response to the COVID-19 VirusGreetings friends, family, partners and community members, Like so many of you, The Gifford Foundation is closely monitoring the latest developments related to the COVID -19 virus. We are acutely aware of your concerns regarding the...
How The Reading League Took Flight
It is easy to underestimate the task of teaching a child to read. Because this lesson is taught early in life, we tend to regard it as simple and basic – like learning to walk. Yet millions of American children grow up without ever becoming truly literate, despite having attended school. Prof. Maria Murray, Founder and Executive Director of The Reading League, began studying this issue in 2015 and came to a radical conclusion: We need to reimagine how we teach children to read.
Welcoming Our New Board Members
We would like to announce some new developments within our Board of Directors as we welcome four new additions to help guide us as we move forward.
Broadening Perspectives: Capacity Building
Our Executive Director, Sheena Solomon, speaks about capacity building as an essential part of the Gifford Foundation’s mission and identity.
