OAR of Tompkins County

10/09/2026

It's Time to Stop the School-to-Prison Pipeline!

OAR is proud to co-sponsor this event with Phoebe Brown on October 17th, from 6p - 9p.

More info here:
https://www.visitithaca.com/event/its-time-to-stop-the-school-to-prison-pipeline!/10011/

For any questions or to RSVP, please email [email protected]

10/01/2026

Stop in for a burger or some rice and beans.

Wander the History Wall, featuring pages from our 1985 Volunteer Handbook (which was either printed by mimeograph or on a dot matrix printer?!), our Tompkins County proclamation naming June 2006 OAR Month, and other artifacts!

Take in some powerful art from our clients in the Art Gallery.
Watch the awards at 4pm and cheer on our winners.

The weather should be gorgeous, and we'll be outside in the park, barbecuing and serving our friends, clients and partners.
(All free!)


No need to RSVP. Just come by anytime between 3p - 6p.
We'd love to see your faces.

09/22/2026

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

09/17/2026

This incredible piece of art, drawn with tiny prison pens from behind walls, was made by Ismanuel Dilan.

It features Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, with his infamous inmate number - 7089 - as captured in the iconic mugshot from his arrest in Alabama for his leadership in organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1956.

MLK Jr is flanked by Malcom X and Muhammad Ali, two titans of civil resistance and anti-racism leadership.

This art has been hanging in our OAR offices, inspiring our staff, since it was gifted by Ismanuel several years ago.

We look forward to featuring it in our art gallery for our 50th Celebration on Oct 3rd.

09/08/2026

OAR celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year!!

We'd love to share artwork from the many talented clients we've worked with over the years.

If you've drawn or written something that you would like to see hang in our art gallery at our 50th Celebration, please drop it off at our offices at 230 S. Fulton Street, Ithaca, by Monday, September 28th.

09/04/2026

It's back to school time, and GED classes are starting back up with .

Their FREE program offers personalized support with flexible learning options.

GED Open Enrollment
Every Wednesday, beginning at 9:30am

118 North Tioga Street, 5th Floor
Ithaca, NY 14850

Call (607) 273-4095 to register!

09/02/2026

A generous Taste of the Finger Lakes donation has allowed OAR to purchase a new refrigerator and provide needed refreshments all summer long. At the peak of the heat wave, starting in July, we were able to distribute water, Gatorade and Activia yogurts. Our pantry - both refrigerated and shelf stable - is available to anyone in need, and accessible during our walk-in hours at our offices on South Fulton Street.

With their generous donations we were even able to purchase and distribute Gatorade and water to the Southwest encampments.

We're so grateful to have them as a partner in caring for our clients!

If you'd like to donate, we accept canned goods and shelf stable foods, which can be dropped off at our offices anytime we are open.

Taste of the Finger Lakes

08/26/2026

OAR's mid-year data is in, and we're helping more people than ever!!

Walk-ins at our office on S. Fulton Street are beating last year's numbers, with an average 658 walk-ins per month and as many as 58 walk-ins per day.

We've increased the employment rate of residents in our transitional housing, connected more clients with rehab. We've used the new 1115 Waivers to expand our ability to house clients, and launched an innovative transportation program to provide rides for clients attending job interviews, searching for housing, and getting to medical appointments.

OAR's transportation services have been so successful that we now account for over 60% of all 1115 Waiver transportation services in the Southern Tier.

See the full data here and read more about our programs on our website:

www.oar-tompkins.org/post/mid-year-data-update-tracking-our-impact

#1115

08/14/2026

Care Compass has been and continues to be an incredible partner in OAR's work, and we're honored to be highlighted in their success stories.

✨ Your situation today doesn't define your future.

One client connected through OAR of Tompkins County went from living in "survival mode" to achieving housing stability, employment, transportation, and pursuing college goals.

When basic needs are met, it becomes easier to focus on what comes next.

Our Social Care Network connects eligible Medicaid members with local organizations that can help address needs such as housing, food access, transportation, and more.

💙 If you're facing challenges that are affecting your health or daily life, don't wait to ask for help. Support may be closer than you think.

Contact our network today! https://carecompasscollaborative.org/

08/12/2026

Thank you to Alternatives Federal Credit Union for awarding us a Small Business Recovery Grant! Dave and Denise were on hand for a check presentation and ceremony this past July. We couldn't ask for better partners in this community.

Thank you for supporting our work.