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Greater Ithaca Activities Center
COVID-19 Update: As of July 14, 2020, the GIAC building remains closed to the public. Phones are answered 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday- Friday and business can be done electronically or by appointment only.
GIAC on PAUSE
Dear GIAC Caregivers, Participants and Community,
RE: GIAC Announces A Temporary Set-Back For A Strong Comeback.
At GIAC we are proud of our culture of love, family, resiliency, and strong relationships with our staff, participants, families and community. Like many of you, the City of Ithaca and GIAC are currently experiencing great challenges due to the financial impact the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on our nation, state and local community. We know these past weeks have been filled with stress, challenges, isolation, and financial difficulties.
However, through these unprecedented times there have been examples of the community supporting one another. From setting up online programming and senior grocery services to mask making, collaborating on a food pantry at GIAC, and staff making phone calls to check on GIAC families, we have provided support.
City of Ithaca and GIAC leadership are looking forward to how our community rebounds after the outbreak subsides and we can return to offering a safe environment for our participants. At this time, no government stimulus funds have been provided for municipalities including the City of Ithaca to recoup lost revenues and costs of the pandemic. The City will experience a budgetary shortfall estimated to be in the millions for this budget year, thus, difficult decisions and changes have had to be made. With the Governor’s Executive Orders to close schools, temporarily reduce workforce, and put New York on pause, coupled with social distancing requirements, we have had to close all physical programs at GIAC. Add to that the projected financial shortfall, and GIAC along with other city departments and community agencies have to endure further difficult changes. These changes will affect our staff, participants, programs and services through the summer months but will position us to come back stronger after the pandemic.
• Most of GIAC’s employees will not be working after May 1 for a few months.
• All GIAC youth and teen programs will continue to be closed at least through August.
• There will be no summer programs, which include Rashad Richardson Basketball League, Summer Camp, Boxing, Conservation Corp, and Teen Employment.
• Current online youth/teen programming will end on May 1.
• GIAC administration will continue to offer the Virtual Family Fun@Home Challenge Activities through postings on GIAC’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ithacagiac.
• The Hospitality Employment Training Program will continue to stay open for now through online outreach.
• Senior Program staff will continue to provide support and basic program/services to our vulnerable seniors.
• GIAC will continue to accept applications for the Robin’s Fund electronically.
• The Food Pantry at GIAC on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 -4 pm will remain available outside of GIAC.
• GIAC will continue to provide business services, 10am-4pm, Monday - Friday via telephone and email with the main office number (607) 272-3622 and via email at giacmain@cityofithaca.org.
• The GIAC building will continue to be closed to the public.
Once a decision is made regarding the 2020-21 After School Program, GIAC staff will be in touch with families.
Stay strong and be well,
Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, GIAC Director
Travis Brooks, Deputy GIAC Director
Kerry Phillips, Deputy GIAC Director
GIAC Senior
GIAC Senior Programming Calendar April 2021
GIAC Senior Programming Calendar March 2021
Senior Breakfasts Program performances are made possible (in part or in full) with funds from the Decentralization Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and administered by the Community Arts Partnership of Tompkins County.
2021 Gus Macker
The Original 3-on-3 Basketball Festival of Family Fun!
We look forward to the 2021 Gus Macker, stay tuned for info!
This tournament is designed for basketball players who love the fun of the driveway game- male or female, from 7 to 70-plus, short to tall, from the most experienced to those with little or no experience - everyone who just wants to play is welcome.
Thank you to
Visum Development Group
Wegmans
Ithaca Department of Athletics - NY
United Way of Tompkins County
Alex Haley Pool
Closed for the 2020 season. Thank you for a great summer!
Video care of The Ithaca Voice, by Jacob Mroczek, link to story
If you would like to make a direct donation to GIAC, Inc. please use GIAC Grows capital drive page.
Thank you!
GIAC, Inc. Board
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Best of the Best - Leslyn with award plaque
Leslyn with award at NRPA
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GIAC Stands against Domestic Violence
Purple Support at GIAC
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GIAC Seniors
Breakfast
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2017 camp dreamgirls group
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2017 Lets Read Staff, Youth Parents at Awards
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GIAC Teen Catering
Contact us for more info
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Kick Butts Day at GIAC
Courtney & Jackie GIAC Group
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GIAC Soccer
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A Place to be ME!
I Can Day Step Performance
GIAC PLEDGE FOR PARTICIPANTS
Contact Us
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Leslyn McBean-Clairborne
GIAC Director
301 W. Court St.
Ithaca, NY 14850
Ph: 607-272-3622
Fx: 607-272-0250
Hours
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Staff Directory
GIAC's Mission
The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) is a center for all ages, particularly youth and teens. It serves the immediate neighborhood and the greater Ithaca area by providing multicultural, educational, and recreational programs focused on social and individual development.
The center's programs include services dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people we serve; advocating for the rights and needs of youth, families, underrepresented, and disenfranchised populations; providing structured employment training opportunities for at-risk youth and adults; and fighting against oppression and intimidation in our community.
The center executes this mission through its own programming and by drawing on the resources of other community agencies and individuals.