College Initiative Upstate - CIU

10/01/2026

Join us on Saturday, Oct 3rd, to celebrate OAR's 50 Years of Service!!

Featuring: Food provided by No Más Lágrimas Memory Wall recounting our history Art gallery full of our clients' creativity A keynote speech by former ED Deborah Dietrich Story shares from former clients A Legacy of Service Award

we hope you will join us in celebrating this rich journey ~ and imagining its future.

RSVP at
www.oar-tompkins.org/50th-celebration

09/01/2026

HAVE YOU BEEN THINKING ABOUT COLLEGE?

Do you want to start college or finish getting your college degree?

COLLEGE INITIATIVE UPSTATE is recruiting NOW for our fall semester!

FREE 8-week College Prep

Skills-based courses for people who are: recipients of SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid or Section 8 benefits, reentering the community after incarceration; stable in their recovery, underemployed, identify as having low income, or justice-impacted/court-involved.

College Prep Program starts on September 21-
-Classes held in the DSS Building
-Monday to Thursday 12:30 - 2:30 pm
-Wednesdays 12:30 to 3:30

Call for more information or to make an appointment:
Sherron Brown - 607-351-3201
Tara Morgan - 607-262-8920

08/07/2026

Support from Neighborhood Businesses Means Everything

07/29/2026

Thank you for your interest in Tompkins Build - Pathways to Apprenticeship! If you are interested in participating in the Fall 2026 program, please complete this interest form. The Pathways to Apprenticeship program is an unique opportunity that connects you to union career paths in construction and...

07/16/2026

🚴🚴🏽🚴🏾‍♀️

07/07/2026

Providing educational opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals is a powerful act of justice that dismantles the cycle of mass incarceration.

True, equitable community reentry begins with education, tearing down systemic barriers to learning and postsecondary credentials for our neighbors coming home.

Elevating educational attainment directly counteracts high recidivism rates and transforms lives.

While these programs help unlock the door to employment, the true power of education lies in restoring human dignity and ensuring long-term community safety. By pairing targeted education with dedicated client support, we can unlock the potential of underemployed adults and ensure their right to a successful second chance.

07/06/2026

College Initiative Upstate is Now Recruiting!
Enrollment is Currently Open for Fall 2026.

Do you want to start college? Do you want to finish a degree?
College Initiative Upstate offers FREE 8-week college preparatory courses in reading, writing and math for individuals who are:
-A recipient of SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid or Section 8 benefits
-Underemployed or identify as having low-income
-Reentering the community after incarceration
-Stable in their recovery
-Justice-impacted/court-involved

College Initiative Upstate supports non-traditional learners in reaching their goals and building confidence as they prepare to begin or return to college! All that is needed to participate is a High School Diploma or GED.

Orientation: September 21st
Classes Begin: Monday, September 28th

Give us a call to learn more, or to schedule a meeting:
Sherron Brown (607) 351-3201 (Deputy Director)
Tara Morgan (607) 262-8920 (Education Equity and Program Development Coordinator)

05/18/2026

What a day! Congratulations to all of the hardworking graduates on completing CIU College Prep or earning their college degrees!

See the full photo album from CIU's spring 2026 graduation in the link in bio or below here!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YOUMPyQ-ZyRylXRAEaeC78q3xcBSt0oE?usp=sharing

04/16/2026