FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc.

⁉️ 11 weeks. 185 questions asked. Not a single one went unanswered!

That's Citizens Academy, and it's just the beginning of what Fehmi walked away with!

Fall 2026 applications are open! If you live or work in Onondaga County and you're ready to go beyond the surface of how your community really works, this is your moment!🔗Apply Today! https://www.focussyracuse.org/citizens-academy/

2️⃣5️⃣ As we celebrate our milestone 25th Citizens Academy cohort, FOCUS is so appreciative of our incredible Engagement Sponsors:
🎓 Syracuse University
💡National Grid
Their commitment makes this one-of-a-kind civic learning experience possible once again!

🏛️ The difference between watching your community change and being part of that change? FOCUS’ Citizens Academy!

Nichole is proof that FOCUS' Citizens Academy changes more than your perspective, it changes what you do!

Spend 11 weeks with FOCUS, going behind the scenes of Onondaga County, learning from the people who run it, understanding today's challenges, tomorrow’s opportunities, and building the connections that move you from observer to active, engaged community member!

Apply Today! 🔗 https://www.focussyracuse.org/citizens-academy/

2️⃣5️⃣ As we celebrate our milestone 25th Citizens Academy cohort, FOCUS is so appreciative of our incredible Engagement Sponsors:
🎓Syracuse University
💡National Grid
Their commitment makes this one-of-a-kind civic learning experience possible once again!

🦉 This year's Wisdom Keeper theme is "Bringing People Together Through Conversation," and Tim and Evelyn embody this in everything they do! 💬

🎙️ Tim Fox is the Executive Producer of NewsChannel 9, a storyteller and community connector who has spent his career making sure CNY stays informed, engaged, and heard!

🙌 Evelyn C. Ingram serves as Director of Community and Media Relations at Wegmans and is Co-Owner of The Castle 603. She is a connector in every sense of the word, someone who genuinely believes in the power of people coming together to build something better!

At FOCUS, we believe that civic engagement starts with conversation. It begins with people being in the same room, hearing each other out, and walking out prepared to do something! 🏛️ Tim and Evelyn live that belief out loud, and we are so proud to honor them this year!

Join us at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo 🐘 to celebrate!

🎟️ Tickets and Sponsorships: https://www.focussyracuse.org/wisdom-keeper/

💙 Citizens Academy Applications Are NOW OPEN!

Onondaga County doesn't need more bystanders. It needs more informed, engaged, and active community members! 🗳️

Citizens Academy isn't a spectator sport! Our immersive 11-week experience brings everyday people face to face with nearly 40 local leaders and decision-makers. 🤝 You hear from them. You ask them questions. ✋ You leave knowing exactly how to show up for your community. 💪

Civic engagement starts smaller than you think!
✅ It looks like recycling correctly because you learned which pizza box goes where
📰 It looks like reading a headline and actually knowing the backstory
📞 It looks like knowing who to call when something in your neighborhood isn't right

🎯 Citizens Academy graduates have become senators, mayors, respected advocates, and informed voters. All of them are more engaged!

⏰ Only 35 spots available! Deadline: August 3.
👉 Apply today: https://www.focussyracuse.org/citizens-academy/

💙 As we celebrate our milestone 25th Citizens Academy cohort, FOCUS is incredibly grateful to our Engagement Sponsors: Syracuse University and National Grid! Their commitment makes this one of a kind civic learning experience possible!

🌊 Protecting Our Water Starts with Understanding It!

Join us for our June FOCUS Forum and take part in a conversation on water conservation and the role we all play in protecting local watersheds!

💧 Learn how local water systems support community health
🌱 Hear from experts working in conservation, education, & land stewardship
🤝 Discover how to engage with efforts that protect & preserve CNY’s natural resources

🗓 Attend in-person at OneGroup Insurance or via Zoom! 🔗 Register for free: https://www.focussyracuse.org/water-conservation/



Onondaga Environmental Institute
SUNY ESF

Some people help shape a stronger community by consistently showing up, building relationships, and investing in others! 💙 Evelyn Ingram is one of those people!

🦉 Her longstanding commitment to CNY reflects the spirit of a Wisdom Keeper! Someone whose experience, generosity, and dedication strengthen the fabric of our community for future generations!

We are proud to celebrate Evelyn as a 2026 Wisdom Keeper Honoree and grateful for the example she continues to set through her ongoing community involvement!

Celebrating Leadership & Impact: Thank You, Evelyn Ingram!

United Way of Central New York extends our deepest gratitude to Evelyn as she concludes her incredible tenure on our Board of Directors.

For over a decade, Evelyn has been a guiding force for our organization, bringing unmatched leadership and dedication to United Way.

During her tenure, she has served as Board Chair, Immediate Past Chair, and Co-Founder/Chair of Women United.

Evelyn has also been instrumental in growing Wegmans exceptional employee campaign and creating community partnerships like United Way’s CNY Care Package Project, supported by in-store donations.

Evelyn, thank you for your unwavering commitment, your wisdom, and your heart. While your time on the board may be wrapping up, the lasting impact of your leadership will be felt throughout our community for a very long time.

Please join us in thanking Evelyn for her years of dedicated service! 👏👏

♻️ Caring for our community also means caring for our environment!

At FOCUS we know that civic engagement takes many forms, including environmental stewardship and small everyday actions that strengthen our community! That’s why we’re excited to partner with Bottle & Can Retrieval Centers for a new fundraiser that turns recyclable bottles and cans into support for FOCUS programs!

Here’s how you can help:
🔹 Label your bags “FOCUS Greater Syracuse”
🔹 Drop them off at any of Bottle & Can Retrieval Centers 40+ locations.

💙 Your donation supports community conversations, programs, and our civic engagement initiatives!