Monday, November 23, 2009

Vinatge! a great success

November 7th 2009 -- a great night for DCF! We celebrated our 25th anniversary with a wonderful array of wines, including a tasting courtesy of Eagle Crest, and an amazing display of hors d'oeuvres and sweets table. A group of more than 80 congratulated Sr. Joan Sobala, our founding director and first-ever "Worker in the Vineyard" awardee. Congratulatory notes came from all around, including Rep. Louise Slaughter and Mayor Duffy who proclaimed 11/7/09 "Sr. Joan Sobala Day" in the City of Rochester!! Nearly $3000.00 was raised for the benefit of DCF. Thanks to our supporters and sponsors!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Vintage Downtown Community Forum 11/7

There's still time to purchase a ticket to DCF's 25th anniversary celebration: Vintage Downtown Community Forum. Nov 7 at 5PM in the Dugan Center. We'll enjoy wines and hors d'ouevres, music, silent auction and recognize the contributions of our founding director, Sr. Joan Sobala, with the inaugural Worker In The Vineyard Award. Call 232-7140 for tickets.

Identity Theft Forum 10/19

On October 19th Secret Service Agent Joel Blackerby informed and educated DCF attendees on the intricacies of Identity Theft. Wow! Who knew about the million ways our identities are at risk and what we can do to try to stay ahead of the bad guys. Did you know that your hotel key cards, cruise ship id badges, etc all contain your credit card information? Good advice - don't leave your hotel key card on the dresser when you check out. Instead, just take it with you. Also, our affinity clubs (skymiles, etc.) also contain our info and could easily find their way into the wrong hands. Shred your bank and credit card statements. And insurance. And and and. Use only ATM's that are located at banks. No convenience stores, etc., as they are more likely to have bogus scanners and/or people nearby picking up signals via wireless. Never transact on wireless, including calling your bank to check your balance from your cell phone. That's not to say we shouldn't bank on line. Just not on wireless. The list goes one. A very good forum indeed! Thanks to Consumer Credit Counseling Service and GRAFLI for bringing it to us.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

DCF Concludes a successful 2008-2009 season!

Last evening's DCF night at Geva Theatre's high impact performance of "Fences" with post-performance conversation with Mayor Wm. Johnson concluded our very successful 2008 - 2009 season. Thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters throughout the year: City of Rochester, Bryant + Stratton College, Finger Lakes Community College, WXXI and others. Plans for next season are already underway. Send us your suggestions for community-centric programming, as well as for sponsorships. In these economic times, financial support for our programs is much needed and most appreciated! Stay tuned for new season updates..............

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

BALCONY Health Care Forum event details

ROCHESTER AREA HEALTH CARE FORUM
BALCONY-Rochester cordially invites you to attend our 2009 health care forum featuring
a panel discussion with Assembly Insurance Committee Chair Joseph Morelle:
Date: Friday, May 1, 2009
Time: 8:00-11:30 AM
Place: Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School
1100 South Goodman Street, Rochester
BALCONY is committed to finding common ground between business and labor. In Rochester and
across the state, we engage in events, community action and grassroots lobbying campaigns to
bring about a health care system whereby everyone has access to quality affordable care.
For more information about the forum, or to RSVP, email Tom Gillett at tgillett@nysutmail.org.
This event is brought to you in coordination with our Rochester area organizing partners:
American Cancer Society * Downtown Community Forum * Finger Lakes Health Systems Agency
IBEW local 86 * New York State United Teachers * Rochester Area Labor Federation

Ethel Long-Scott on Poverty event details

Fighting Poverty in the Age of Obama:
A COMMUNITY DIALOGUE
with ETHEL LONG-SCOTT
Ethel Long-Scott, Executive Director of The
Women’s Economic Agenda Project based out of
Oakland California, is known nationally and
internationally for devoting her life to the education
and leadership of people at the losing end of society,
especially women of color.
Rochester Social Welfare Action Alliance Presents
Wednesday April 22, 2009
@ 7:00pm, St. Mary’s Church
15 St. Mary’s Place Rochester, NY
Refreshments provided
Seating is limited to 150 REGISTRATION REQUIRED - Free!
Register by phone or e-mail: SWAAevents@swaarochester.org or (585) 395-5158
Please contact us for more information
Co-Sponsored by: The Downtown Community Forum,
The Greater Rochester Collaborative MSW Program of
Nazareth College and the College at Brockport, The House
of Mercy, the Rochester Chapter of National Organization
for Women, Rochester Poor Peoples Coalition, Women’s
Center at the College at Brockport and the Social Work
Department at the College at Brockport
SWAARochester’s fall 2008 conference was the
beginning of this dialogue and call for action.
Downtown Community Forum Bulletin Notice, Easter Weekend

Blessed Easter and Happy Spring to all!

Downtown Community Forum continues its Spring 2009 series with these coming events…

April 22: DCF co-sponsors Rochester Social Welfare Action Alliance presents Ethel Long-Scott, Executive Director of the Women’s Economic Project on “Fighting Poverty In The Age of Obama”, 7PM in the Dugan Center. RSVP to (585)395-5562.

April 29: WXXI’s Campaign for Love & Forgiveness continues with the PBS Documentary “Anyone and Everyone”, with post-program discussion led by Steve Jarose of the National Coalition Building Institute. This program deals with societal challenges associated with LGBT issues. 6:45PM in the Dugan Center.

May 5: DCF on the Road at Geva for a special performance with discussion of Evie’s Waltz. The play addresses the topic of teenage violence. Contact Geva’s Box Office for special “Downtown Community Forum” tickets. (585)232-GEVA

May 1: DCF co-sponsors BALCONY (Business and Labor Coalition of NY) program “Rochester Area Health Care Forum” featuring NYS Assemblyman Joseph Morrelle. 8 – 11:30AM at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. RSVP to tgillette@nysutmail.org

May 6: “Increase Your Employability” with The Workplace Institute, a collaboration between MCC, GCC and FLCC that focuses on retraining opportunities job-seekers in areas that match job opportunities in our region. Panelists from all three colleges will explain how to access the Institute’s services. This program will arm job-seekers with an important path to marketable job skills! 7PM in the Dugan Center.

May 26: DCF on the Road at Geva for a special performance with discussion of “Fences”, August Wilson’s most popular play that explores the conflicts across generations over the vision of black manhood and the terrible cost of a dream deferred. Contact Gevan’s Box Office for special “Downtown Community Forum” tickets. (585)232-GEVA.