The latest from Central New York ... NYC contracts ... United Way

A new report examines how community engagement can drive equity and trust in government in Central New York. The research by Onodaga Citizens League and Syracuse University centered around responders in the Syracuse area, about 40 percent of whom lived in the city. Here are some takeaways from the report “The State of the Community Engagement Infrastructure in Central New York.”

• Individuals are far more likely to become engaged when others invite them.
• Like it or not, controversy or perceived injustice can often spark engagement.
• Strangers are often ineffective in pulling others in, while those who live, work and communicate within a community are often much more successful.
• Time, economics and apathy are clear factors in the various levels of engagement within the community.
• There is occasionally a redundancy of efforts and/or a lack of coordination and collaboration among different community action organizations.

The New York City Office of the Mayor has awarded a $374,510 contract to The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City for nonprofit development services, according to the City Record. City First Lady Chirlane McCray leads the board at the city affiliated nonprofit and has attracted media attention in recent months over her attendance to board matters.

Staten Island-based Grace Foundation of New York has won a $187,372 contract with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for autism awareness services. Resources for Children With Special Needs received a $206,438 contract with the department for autism awareness initiative in Fiscal Year 2018, according to the City Record. The department also renewed a contract with Public Health Solutions for $6.12 million more of “nurse family partnership to improve maternal and infant health.” Another contract renewal secured $1.61 million of employment services support from Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey for adults living with mental illnesses, according to the City Record.

United Way announced Community Fund awards totaling $790,546 for 48 programs in Dutchess and Orange counties. The money represents about half of a $1.61 million funding goal for the fiscal year that began July 1 and concentrates on health, education, financial stability, veterans and “key community resources,” according to a press release. A full list of the funding recipients is available here.

Send your press releases, photos, and word of your latest happenings to reporter Zach Williams at zwilliams@nynmedia.com.