FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc.

09/08/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Tracie Hatch! ⭐ FOCUS runs on the generosity of our community, and behind every successful fundraiser is a dedicated group of people making it happen. 🎉 That's where our Fund Development Committee comes in!
Today we're spotlighting Tracie Hatch, a member of our Fund Development Committee!

Tracie's journey with FOCUS started as a graduate of our Fall 2023 Citizens Academy cohort. She stayed connected after graduating, and that connection grew into a role on our Fund Development Committee, where she now contributes her time and ideas to help us grow and craft messaging that genuinely connects with our readers.

We're grateful for the heart and perspective Tracie brings to our fund development work.

💙 Thank you, Tracie, for helping us build with intention!

🎉 Love a good fundraiser? 🙌 Join our Fund Development Committee and bring people together to support FOCUS, big gifts, small gifts, and every dollar in between. 🔗 https://www.focussyracuse.org/join-a-committee/

09/08/2026

We’re so proud to see Geri Corradino named a CNY 40 Under 40 Honoree! 🎉 Geri leads with heart and shows up for others! 💙 As VP of the FOCUS Board, Geri has prioritized strategy and steady support that continue to make FOCUS stronger and our culture positive and sustainable Congratulations, Geri!

Spotlight on Geri. 🌟

Geri Corradino — Central New York Community Foundation

Geri helped build more equitable, transparent hiring at the Community Foundation, and as Vice President of the FOCUS Greater Syracuse board she leads its Citizens Academy — guiding more than 150 participants to a deeper understanding of the region. Graduates have gone on to serve on boards, become volunteer firefighters, and run for office. A farm-raised, lifelong learner, she makes everyone feel seen.

Join us on October 6 as we honor the 2026 CNY 40 Under 40 class. Seating is limited — grab your tickets while you can.

📅 October 6, 2026 | National Veterans Resource Center, Syracuse University
🔗 Get Tickets: 40under40syracuse.com/tickets
Thank you to our Title Sponsor: M&T Bank

09/07/2026

💧Citizens Academy Cohort #25 is staying hydrated in style, thanks to our Hydration Sponsor, Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards!

Every participant and panelist is getting their own reusable water bottle for this milestone cohort, saving over 400 plastic, single use bottles from ever being needed. Sipping smart, thinking civic, and keeping our planet in mind while we're at! 💙

09/05/2026

🏢 Thank you to our host venue, INSPYRE Innovation Hub by CenterState, for welcoming Citizens Academy cohort #25 for their first in person session!

Having a space that's as engaging as the conversations happening inside it was wonderful! 💙 Thank you for being part of this milestone cohort's journey!

09/04/2026

2️⃣5️⃣ Cohort #25 had their first in person session, and what a way to kick things off! 🎉

This cohort is full of local pride and love for Onondaga County! Our Q&A was productive, giving the the group a chance to bond while learning from our presenter and from each other! 💙

📚 Huge thanks to our presenter Sarah from the Onondaga Historical Association for a local history presentation that sets the foundation for our journey!

A cohort like this doesn't happen without incredible community partners cheering it on:

🎓 Syracuse University and 💡National Grid our Engagement Sponsors, whose commitment makes this one of a kind civic learning program possible once again!

🏦 Sidney Federal Credit Union, our Session Sponsor!

💧 Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards, our Hydration Sponsor!

🏢 INSPYRE Innovation Hub by CenterState, our venue for the session!

Cohort #25 is just getting started! We'll be back next week with our next adventure in civic participation! 🙌

09/01/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Brian Hoke! ⭐ This year, FOCUS has been restructuring our FOCUS Forum program with one goal in mind: to build something worth showing up for! 🤝 That means more interaction, more inclusion, and engagement between our community and the decision-makers who shape it!

One of the people making that happen is Brian Hoke, our FOCUS Forum Q&A Moderator!

With hybrid FOCUS Forums, Brian has the job of keeping the conversation balanced, alternating questions between our in-person audience, our virtual audience, and the questions submitted in advance by our registrants.⏳ It's no small task, especially when every FOCUS Forum runs just one hour and every minute counts!

As an Emeritus Board Member of FOCUS, Brian understands our nonpartisan nature at its core, and he works to facilitate a bipartisan conversation. He keeps things moving with skill, and he does it all with the kind of humility and class that makes him a joy to work with!

💙 Thank you, Brian, for helping us build with intention!

08/29/2026

Food Access is a Civic Issue! 🍎 Join us for our September FOCUS Forum and explore how food insecurity, health care, and community advocacy shape health and well-being in Central New York.

🥦 Learn about civic pathways, including advocacy and public participation, that can strengthen access to food and health resources.

🏭 Plus, stay after the Forum for a **FREE Guided Tour** of the Food Bank of Central New York! Get an inside look at how food is collected, stored, and distributed throughout our community. 👟 Tour Note: Closed-toed shoes are required. The tour is wheelchair accessible.

📍 Attend in person at the Food Bank of Central New York or join us via Zoom.
🗓️ Register for free: https://www.focussyracuse.org/food-health/



Upstate Medical University

08/28/2026

💼 Good jobs are available in Central New York right now! Construction, manufacturing, tech, the opportunities are real and the training programs are free or earn-while-you-learn!

At today's FOCUS Forum, three local workforce leaders broke down what's actually happening: who the programs are for, how to get in, and what the region still needs to get right as the largest economic transformation in a generation gets underway.

There's something in this conversation for job seekers, employers, educators, and anyone who wants to understand what's shaping our community's future!

Missed it? 🎥 The recording is ready! 🔗 https://youtu.be/Ki6Vwqht8G4?is=TNROhXEH-E7g22Kp



MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
ERIE21
CenterState CEO

08/21/2026

💼 There’s Still Time To Register for our August FOCUS Forum!

Join FOCUS for a hybrid public forum where panelists explore how CNY is reshaping its workforce system, and what it means for residents, employers, and the broader civic community.

​​🔗 Register for free: https://www.focussyracuse.org/workforce/​

🗓 Attend in-person at OneGroup Insurance or via Zoom!

🕛 Agenda:
11:45 – Doors Open
12:00 – Welcome
12:05 – Panelist Presentations
12:30 – Moderated Q&A
12:55 – Closing Remarks



ERIE21
MACNY, The Manufacturers Association
CenterState CEO

08/19/2026

🎉 Wegmans is a Wisdom Guardian sponsor for Wisdom Keeper 2026, FOCUS' celebration of community leadership!

💙 Wisdom Keeper is FOCUS' primary fundraiser, helping sustain FOCUS as an organization and support the work we do connecting everyday people in Onondaga County to the decision-makers and resources they need to get involved!

This year, Wisdom Keeper honors
🦉Tim Fox, Executive Producer at NewsChannel 9 and
🦉Evelyn C. Ingram, Director of Community & Media Relations at Wegmans and Co-Owner of The Castle 603

🐾 As a Wisdom Guardian sponsor, Wegmans is presenting a Wisdom Keeper Animal Encounter, a surprise zoo animal meet and greet exclusively for ticket holders on October 5th! 📸 We won't know which animal is joining us until the day of, but you'll get a photo op and a chance to chat with the zookeeper!

🎟️ Wisdom Keeper has sold out the last few years, so if you want to be there for the celebration, reserve your tickets today: https://www.focussyracuse.org/wisdom-keeper/

🤝 Want your business in front of Onondaga County's most engaged community members while supporting the work that makes this county stronger? Sponsorship spots are still open, and we'd love to talk: https://www.focussyracuse.org/wisdom-keeper/