BEA GONZÁLEZ, DAN FISHER AND MELANIE LITTLEJOHN standing together on balcony — BEA GONZÁLEZ, DAN FISHER AND MELANIE LITTLEJOHN

DEAR FRIENDS,

What does lead abatement have to do with funding for literacy, the arts and economic development? At first glance, it might be hard to find a common thread. But the reality is that these are all elements of a thriving community. We all have a role to play.

Just as each grant and investment represents a piece of a larger puzzle, each of us has the ability to help create the framework for a brighter future. Take, for example, our first Participatory Budgeting project that culminated last year. We started with questions rather than answers. We relied on the power of collaboration and community engagement — working alongside neighborhood residents, leaders and nonprofit partners — to design solutions and decide how funding should be allocated to
increase childhood lead testing.

We listened to each other’s stories and experiences. We shared ideas and built connections. We sat, side by side, with hard truths and uncovered more questions. We learned, grew and forged a path forward — together. This process, fueled by community generosity and collective wisdom, provides a template for how we can approach all big challenges and opportunities. Community participation is essential for community prosperity.

Together, we can make Central New York a place where success and resiliency reside in every home, a place where all the issues that have historically held us back or weighed
us down — poverty, lead poisoning, illiteracy, hunger, homelessness, mental illness, racism, all the –isms — no longer live. When we combine compassion, integrity, funding and resources with the full potential and diversity of our community, we become unstoppable.

Thanks to the contributions of our many supporters over the past nine decades, we have built a solid foundation. As our community continues to grow, we must be prepared to grow with it. As the pipeline of opportunities expands, so, too, will the needs. We are committed, as always, to rise to meet the moment. Let’s create the community we all deserve to live in. Together.

We know the answers are within all of us. The question is: Which part will you play?