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Steering Committee

The North Country Bridges "Champions for Change" Steering Committee was formed to "train, embed, and spread" Bridges concepts in Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties in order to foster a community where everyone can live well.

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The Steering Committee includes representation from all 3 counties and is a collaborative effort between many sectors including but not limited to: education, housing, healthcare, faith-based organizations, financial/philanthropy, and graduates of the Getting Ahead program.

 

The Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization (FDRHPO; www.fdrhpo.org) assists in facilitating this collaborative as a neutral convener.

 

MISSION: Empowering individuals to build resources for success in a community where everyone can live well.

 

VISION: Creating community systems that alleviate poverty and improve quality of life for all North Country residents.

 

OVERARCHING GOAL: Build awareness, education, and collaborative efforts in the community.

Our history:  What started as a sustainable community forum in 2016 involving professionals across multiple sectors in the region grew into a Bridges movement. Professionals involved in those first conversations had their own "aha!" moments and wanted to learn, and do, more.

 

In the years that have followed, thanks to energized Bridges champions across the region and funding from the New York Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI), Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization, the Jefferson Leadership Institute Class of 2017, Northern New York Community Foundation and the LEAD Council, Watertown Savings Bank, and the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the region:

  • Trained over 50 cross-sector professionals in Bridges 

  • Trained 20+ people as certified Getting Ahead facilitators

  • Completed 16 Getting Ahead cohorts, with 126 graduates (and counting!)

  • Gathered in-workshop and post-graduation data and outcomes for graduates

  • Continued to support graduates through Staying Ahead sessions

  • Hosted an annual community scavenger-hunt fundraiser: The Race Against Poverty

  • Formed a steering committee including Getting Ahead graduates & representatives from more than 5 community sectors 

  • Fostered conversations among people across economic classes - building relationships, bridging capital, and personal resources

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Steering Committee

Bridges steering committee members (no particular order):

  • Courtnie Toms, Maximizing Independent Living Choices

  • Dawn Cole, United Way of NNY (co-chair)

  • Joanna Loomis, FDRHPO/NCI (co-chair)

  • Tim Fayette, FDRHPO/NCI

  • Aileen Martin, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living

  • Brandy Burnett, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living

  • Sarah Yerdon, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living

  • Chelsea Dodd, Seaway Valley Prevention Council

  • Stephanie Houser-Fouse, Lewis County Public Health

  • Felicia Parker, North Country Family Health Center

  • Katie St. Laurent, North Country Library System

  • Max DelSignore, Northern New York Community Foundation

  • Andrea Roden, Samaritan Medical Center

  • Felicia Neahr, Workforce Development Institute

  • Kayla Nycz, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County

  • Cheryl Mayforth, The Workplace

  • Anne Garno, The Workplace

  • Cindy Nelson, River Hospital

  • Tim Ruetten, Jefferson County Community Services

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