Helping Hands Caring Hear

Catholic Charities of Cortland County, N.Y., offers various family-based social services. Through its case management services segment, it provides community support services to individuals with serious, chronic and mental illness. The agency offers community food pantry assistance with prescription and covers medication costs for individuals without health insurance coverage. It also offers school supplies for school-aged children and free seasonal clothing. In addition, it provides summer lunch program for children at several local parks and the annual Christmas Basket Project, which offers complete holiday meals for various local families. The agency also offers regular monitoring and assessment, as well as crisis management services that promote safety, stability and independent living.

Cortland County has a department of social services that offers child and adult protective, preventive, foster care, adoption and long-term care services. The county operates the Cortland Works Career Center, which provides employment assistance and job training opportunities. Cortland County also includes a health department that offers medical programs to promote health and prevent diseases, injuries and disabilities. Its public safety department provides 911 communication, crime prevention, fire suppression, traffic control and emergency management services. Cortland County governs a planning department that focuses on the economic development of the county. It administers a youth bureau, area agency on aging and veteran s office.

Opportunities, Alternatives, Resources of Tompkins County Inc 518 W. Seneca Street, NY 14850 Ithaca Phone 607-272-7885 OAR began its mission in 1976 as a volunteer organization run by a small and dedicated group of Tompkins County residents concerned with local incarceration issues. The agency initially functioned as a visitation service for prisoners in county jail, striving to mitigate the negative effects of institutionalization through simple humane acts. Our mandate has expanded from jail visitation to include a range of support and advocacy services for former and current inmates, as well as for their families and friends. OAR's present services include: arranging interest-free bail loans for qualifying pre-trial detainees ; facilitating inmate contact with their families, loved ones, employers and schools ; increasing clients' awareness of and access to appropriate community services and criminal justice resources ; providing a community presence Tompkins County Jail to promote humane and legally required treatment of incarcerated persons ; providing Tompkins county jail inmates with assistance, problem-solving and therapeutic dialogue to mitigate the stress, isolation, and depression associated with incarceration. About OAR Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources, formerly known as Offender Aid and Restoration is an independent non-profit agency that welcomes community involvement and support. We advocate for the rights and welfare of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated community members and their families in Tompkins County.