Directory of Local Organizations

AccessCNY offers person-centered services that empower individuals of all ages and abilities to reach their full potential as part of our shared community. Services are provided with dedication, compassion, innovation, and commitment.

The agency supports people with developmental disabilities, acquired brain injuries (ABI) and mental health issues.

Alliance for a Green Economy (AGREE) works for safe, affordable energy and the development of a green economy in New York state. Our goal is a prosperous, safe, and healthy New York, fulfilling the promise of conservation, energy efficiency, and safe, clean renewable energy sources to end our state’s reliance on wasteful and environmentally destructive forms of energy. The Alliance works to promote this transition to a carbon-free and nuclear-free future and educates the public about alternatives that can revitalize the economy and safeguard human health and the environment.

Alternatives to Violence Project works to empower participants to find creative solutions to conflict by developing skills in building healthy relationships through good communication, cooperation and conflict transformation.

Offers three-day experiential workshops at three levels: the Basic, the Advanced and the Training for Facilitators.

ArtRage Gallery is an arts space that focuses on art with social justice and environmental themes. The vision of the gallery is to share the transformative power of the arts with the community, to provide exhibition opportunities to local artists, and to use art to give voice to and share stories from historically underrepresented communities. We are committed to breaking down the art world’s boundaries about who is welcome. We believe that everyone has the right to art and that art is essential to building an open, just world.

Barnabas Center provides street outreach and case management services to homeless and high-risk youth, ensuring that emergency shelter, long term housing and other basic needs remain as the primary focus.  Barnabas Center provides a safe environment where youth are encouraged to develop their own sense of empowerment and are given an opportunity to learn and perfect the skills necessary to transition from childhood to young adult.  As part of this focus, youth are encouraged to continually build and refine their strength-based assets, gaining the poise and perspective necessary to achieve positive outcomes associated with their personal life goals.

BAC creates space for BIPOC artists and prioritize the arts in the local policy sector. It allows emerging student artists to build a local network as well as connect with more experienced artists. BAC’s mission includes art advocacy, with the goal of being a safe space for artists of color and is dedicated to amplifying the voices and work of Syracuse’s artists. BAC organizes events, helps artists find grant opportunities and provides workshops to help develop their work.

#BlackLivesMatter was created in 2012 after Trayvon Martin’s murderer, George Zimmerman, was acquitted for his crime, and dead 17-year old Trayvon was posthumously placed on trial for his own murder. Rooted in the experiences of Black people in this country who actively resist our dehumanization, #BlackLivesMatter is a call to action and a response to the virulent anti-Black racism that permeates our society. Black Lives Matter is a unique contribution that goes beyond extrajudicial killings of Black people by police and vigilantes.

Bright Start Connect is a trusted initiative backed by Forward Leading IPA (FLIPA) a nonprofit member association of safety net providers dedicated to delivering high-quality healthcare to vulnerable populations in Upstate NY since 2017.  Bright Start Connect is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through a Project LAUNCH grant designed to promote the wellness of young children from birth through age 8. This funding allows us to offer our services free of charge. Our team consists of experienced professionals dedicated to supporting families and promoting positive outcomes for children in our community.

The Campaign for New York Health is a coalition of organizations, unions, businesses and individuals committed to guaranteeing healthcare for every New Yorker by passing universal healthcare in New York State (New York Health Act).

Building a world where everyone has what they need to thrive.

The Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), founded in 1981, is a leader in community-based alternatives to incarceration and policy advocacy to reduce reliance on incarceration. We provide direct services to communities in New York City, Syracuse, and Rochester, engaging approximately 3,500 youth and adults annually who would otherwise be incarcerated.

Services include gender-based substance treatment and recovery communities, sentence mitigation, court advocacy, workforce readiness, civic restoration services, emergency/transitional housing, student advocacy, violence prevention, and youth mentoring as well as afterschool programming and career exploration for justice-involved youth. The majority of our participants are Black or Latino/a and come from poor or low-income communities.

InterFaith Works’ Center for New Americans provides resettlement and post-resettlement services to help refugee families reestablish their lives and overcome the barriers to successful integration in their new communities. The program typically resettles 500-600 new refugees each year, and annually serves an additional 1,200 families who have been in the U.S. for less than five years.

The Central New York chapter is based In Utica, New York, and we also have other chapters spread out across the state. Our community-based and multicultural organization is committed to living wage jobs, affordable health care and education, educational opportunities, climate justice, and improvement in living conditions for low and moderate income people. Founded in 1997, we advocate for the interests of children, families, seniors, and disabled in Central New York.

Our mission is to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere through individual and community education and action while supporting fair and just public policies and legislation.

Area federation representing over 100,000 members of 200 local unions in eleven central New York counties: Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego,Tioga, and Tompkins. Mission: to improve the lives of working families—to bring economic justice to the workplace and social justice to our state and the nation.

Founded in 1982 by activists seeking an alternative to fat-cat corporate bankers, we are a non-profit, financial service cooperative dedicated to fairness, equality, and social & economic justice.

Defense of Democracy is the only national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization single focused on defending our public schools from attacks by extremist organizations.

The core mission of the institution of the Dunbar Association Inc. is to enhance the quality of life, break the cycle of poverty, and develop racial equity in our community by strengthening youth and their families through a comprehensive delivery of services that promote excellence through advocacy and education.

We empower people with disabilities, neurological and chronic health conditions to pursue the life of their choosing.

For more than forty years, EPI has provided personalized care, education, training, advocacy, and support solutions to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities, epilepsy, and brain injury. We have an enduring legacy of partnering with those we serve and with their families.

EPI was founded by parents who could not find the services they needed for their children.  With dedication, courage, and creativity, these families built a better world for their loved ones.

We share our founders’ indomitable drive to put first the needs and the dreams of the people we support.

What distinguishes EPI is our focus on offering progressive, tailored care solutions to people with developmental disabilities, epilepsy, and brain injury.  We are proud of our agility in adopting innovative service models that better meet the needs of the people we support to improve their health, wellbeing, independence, and social inclusion. We are passionate about doing the right thing. We work hard to earn the trust of the people we support and their families.  And we are committed to empowering people with disabilities to reach their individual goals and aspirations, and to live their lives to the fullest.

Through dynamic and meaningful encounters with modern and contemporary American art, the Everson Museum of Art engages diverse communities, inspires curiosity and lifelong learning, and contributes to a more vital and inclusive society.We capitalize on the innate, natural attraction of people to art and believe in its transformative power.

We are dedicated to the cultivation of lifelong learning using the universal language of art.

We cultivate curiosity within an inviting and dynamic environment.

We embrace collaboration and partnerships to build bridges among disciplines.

We are committed to serving our community by remaining relevant and accessible.

We are a unique cultural anchor and an integral part of a vibrant downtown community.

Focus on Awareness and Information Resources of New York, Inc. We host the educational booth at the New York State Fair to provide information and resources on issues ranging from bullying of LGBTQ youth, discrimination facing members of the LGBTQ community in employment, housing and health issues, GENDA, marriage equality and protection of LGBTQ families. Our Booth is a highly visible space that welcomes the general public as well as members of the LGBTQ community, as we work to promote inclusion and diversity through educational information and resources.

Food Bank of Central New York is a not-for-profit organization leading the effort to eliminate hunger in our region, by partnership with others in our community, through education, advocacy, and distribution of nutritious food. We partner with over 370 community partners in the counties of Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, and St. Lawrence.

The core of our work is achieved by partnering with local agencies that distribute food to individuals and families in need. The key partners that make up our emergency food network are food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters. Other not-for-profit agencies such as day care centers, rehabilitation centers, senior centers, and group homes are able to utilize membership as a way to supplement their agency food needs.

The Greater Syracuse Tenants Network (Tenants Network) supports housing in Central New York by assisting low income tenants obtain and preserve safe and affordable rental housing. The Tenants Network’s approach is to organize tenants into associations at individual low income properties to represent their interests with the management, supervisory agencies such as DHCR and HUD, and in community forums such as TNT. The key to this approach is providing leadership development, training, information, education and counseling to tenant leaders and individuals, who then become the leaders of the tenant associations. The Tenants Network provides counseling, outreach and referrals to assist tenants to transition into home ownership. The Tenants Network conducts training for landlords and human service workers.

HeatSmart CNY helps connect home and building owners with the many programs available to help reduce the costs of energy efficiency upgrades—like insulation, air sealing, and efficient electric heat pumps—as part of our energy system’s move towards beneficial electrification. We partner with select reputable installers to take you from awareness to education to implementation. We are making homes in our region more comfortable, more cost-effective, and better for the environment.

Huntington Family Centers, Inc., deeply rooted in the “settlement house” tradition, is dedicated to the dignity and self-worth of all individuals and committed to enhancing the lives of families, older adults, and children for the future of our community.

The Syracuse Community Center Collaborative is a unique partnership among four community centers united by an MOU. Serving the four quadrants of the city, the Collaborative is composed by Huntington Family Centers, Syracuse Community Connections, Syracuse Northeast Community Center, Westcott Community Centers.

We strengthen Syracuse neighborhoods by supporting families. Our collaborative human service work helps neighbors access opportunities to build the lives they want to live.

In My Father’s Kitchen, Inc. (IMFK) is a not-for-profit corporation founded by John and Leigh-Ann Tumino. IMFK is a faith-based organization offering non-denominational and non-discriminatory assistance to homeless people through direct street outreach.

The International Center of Syracuse (ICS) serves the community by introducing international visitors to many different aspects of life in our area, including educational, cultural, social and business opportunities.

The JCC of Syracuse is all about families coming together with the community. We offer programs and services for infants, toddlers, school-age children, teens, adults and seniors... something for everyone! Come for a visit and tour. You don't have to be Jewish to become a member of the JCC.

A diverse and democratic community of activists grounded in Jewish values and traditions and working together against anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Jewish bigotry and oppression. We seek an end to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem; security and self-determination for Israelis and Palestinians; and a just solution for Palestinian refugees based on international law.

The Syracuse chapter of JVP was started in Fall 2016. In addition to the goals above, we are committed to creating community; working for peace, social justice and human rights locally; and collaborating with other Central New York groups working on these and similar issues.

Founded in the wake of the December ‘08 Israeli attack on Gaza, Justice for Palestine is a community educational and organizing project. We provide grassroots education and generate political pressure needed to re-orient US policy toward a just peace. Coordinated by the Syracuse Peace Council, it includes people active in the local Methodist Task Force for Middle East Peace, the Islamic Society of Central New York, Al Huda Muslim American Society Mosque and Syracuse Jews for Peace.

La Casita Cultural Center's mission is to advance an educational and cultural agenda of civic engagement through research, cultural heritage preservation, media, and the arts, bridging the Hispanic communities of Syracuse University and Central New York.

The Syracuse University Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Resource Center strives to serve people with marginalized genders and sexualities by offering support, building community, and educating members of the Syracuse University community.

Literacy Outreach for Madison County is a not-for-profit adult literacy service working in conjunction with the public libraries in Madison County. Literacy Outreach for Madison County is a not-for-profit literacy service that trains volunteer tutors and recruits adult learners (ages 18 and older) who are seeking assistance in reaching their literacy goals.

Develops public outreach programs that can save people money or energy, cut waste, avoid pollution, protect resources, eliminate use of fossil fuels, and help save the planet. Mainstream Green is a 501 C-3 Non Profit environmental charity.

The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation is dedicated to educating current and future generations about Gage’s work and its power to drive contemporary social change.

At the heart of our mission is the story of Matilda Joslyn Gage, a progressive visionary of women’s rights and human liberation and an often unacknowledged leader who, with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony wrote the arguments, inspired the passions and organized the political action of the 19th century woman suffrage movement in the United States.

Moms Demand Action is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence. We pass stronger gun laws and work to close the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families. We also work in our own communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. We know that gun violence is preventable, and we’re committed to doing what it takes to keep families safe. Moms Demand Action has established a volunteer chapter in every state of the country and Washington, D.C. and is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly 10 million supporters.

Gives an opportunity to Muslims and members of the Association to come in close contact with one another in the true sense of Islamic sister and brotherhood.

Carries out educational and social programs that will further Syracuse University's knowledge and appreciation of Islam and Muslim heritage. Seeks to establish a relationship with the Syracuse University community that is based on mutual trust, respect, cooperation and support.

Advocates for justice, equality and prosperity for local, national and international causes for all people.

Allows Muslim students to take an active role in the Syracuse community through communication and service projects.

NOW is dedicated to its multi-issue and multi-strategy approach to women’s rights, and is the largest organization of feminist grassroots activists in the United States. NOW’s purpose is to take action through intersectional grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals, lead societal change, eliminate discrimination, and achieve and protect the equal rights of all women and girls in all aspects of social, political, and economic life. CNY chapter covers Onondaga and nearby counties.

Instills confidence and strength in refugee girls and teach them the tools to overcome gender boundaries.

The North Side Learning Center (NSLC) was founded in 2009 and exists to aid in adult and youth literacy development, and to be instrumental in teaching self-sufficiency and self-actualization to newcomers in our community. Students come from dozens of countries around the world. Beyond the core of teaching English to adults and providing academic support to their children, additional programs are offered as resources allow.

We are the Central New York office of the New York Civil Liberties Union, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of all New Yorkers. Our regional office covers seven counties.

The New York Civil Liberties Union, the New York affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, promotes and defends the fundamental principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, U.S. Constitution and New York State Constitution, including freedom of speech and religion, and the right to privacy, equality, and due process of law. We carry out our mission through public education, advocacy and litigation.

The mission of the Onondaga Environmental Institute (OEI) is to advance environmental research, education, planning and restoration in Central New York. OEI seeks responsible stewardship of the local environs as a means to achieving the overall goal of sustainability.

PACCNY seeks to create a platform for the promotion of debate, ideas, and activities that strengthen the historical bonds that have united people of African origin on the continent and in the Diaspora through years of political, cultural, and economic struggles against dehumanization by slavery, imperialism, colonialism and neocolonialism. It seeks to provide space for an agenda that promotes and celebrates the efforts of people of African origin towards self-assertion, human dignity and self-determination. Internationalist in vision, PACCNY also seeks to engage in activities that promote understanding among all global communities, especially those who suffer from oppressive structures and systems

Peace Action New York State is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that promotes non-violent resolution of conflict, the abolition of nuclear weapons, halting the global spread of conventional arms, building a human rights culture, and supporting human needs instead of militarism.

A community chapter in Syracuse is the Nuclear Free World Committee of the Syracuse Peace Council.

Protects and provides health care and education that empowers individuals and families. Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York has 10 health centers and one mobile unit. Delivers affordable, nonjudgmental, high quality health care to thousands of people each year. Staff specialize in reproductive and sexual health care.

ACR Health’s network of Q Centers and support groups are safe places for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth, their families and allies to gather. Q Center programming seeks to promote equality, celebrate diversity, and create a safer, more accepting and inclusive community for all.Through our programs and services, we provide the guidance and support LGBTQ+ youth, young adults and their families need to thrive, and the foundation from which LGBTQ+ youth can succeed throughout their lives.

The Redhouse is a proud partner of the Positivity Project, an organization that empowers America’s youth to build strong relationships and understand, appreciate and exemplify the character strengths in us all. All Redhouse educational programming, in tandem with these initiatives, strives to arm our students with a deeper understanding of character so that, together, we will create citizens and leaders who will enhance our communities and country.

Offers resettlement services and support for those forced to leave their countries due to unsafe conditions. Provides assistance with applying for jobs and registering for English language classes, locating translators, finding housing, and securing medical care.

The Samaritan Center is a 501c3, interfaith effort of community members committed to serving the hungry and those in need in order to promote their welfare dignity and self sufficiency.

The Syracuse Immigrant and Refugee Defense Network works for immigration justice in Central New York and beyond through organizing, advocacy, and solidarity support for directly affected individuals and their families.

The goal of the Southside Community Coalition is to restore, revitalize, and rejuvenate the Syracuse’s South Side community through a partnership with community residents, agencies, organizations, and Syracuse University.

Sunrise Ithaca is a youth-led (under 35) climate justice organization based in Ithaca, NY. We focus on local policy (in particular the Ithaca Green New Deal, which we championed in 2019) and community engagement with it. We seek to bridge the gap between residents and the City and make sure that local climate policy addresses disadvantaged communities' needs.

The Syracuse Community Choir is a community of people who gather to sing songs of peace and social justice. We work to educate each other and the greater community about social and political issues – mainly focusing on issues of peace, indigenous rights, civil rights, environmental rights, religious acceptance, and inclusion of all people.

The Syracuse Cooperative Market is a community-owned grocery store focused on local, organic, and whole foods. With locations now in both the Westcott and Downtown neighborhoods, the Co-op is driven by member participation and commitment to community. We are open to the public – no membership required! – and carry a full line of groceries, fresh produce, and prepared foods. It is our mission to provide great food, be a hub for a strong community, and promote the local economy. We support our community through participation in local events, donations made to community groups & organizations, supporting local farmers and businesses, and our Round Up program!

The Syracuse chapter of Democratic Socialists of America, an autonomous and democratically organized part of the national movement for political and activist organizing. We help with mutual aid, housing, international solidarity, labor organizing, and more.

Syracuse Grows is a grassroots network that cultivates food justice through advocacy, education, and resources in support of urban food production. We envision a community where everyone has the equal opportunity to produce healthy and culturally appropriate food.

Join our community of over 2 million activists across the nation fighting for change and for justice. For 114 Years the NAACP has spent fighting against racism and discrimination across the country and in our very own communities! We work to disrupt inequality, dismantle racism, and accelerate change in key areas including criminal justice, health care, education, climate, economy, advocacy & litigation and next generation leadership.

Since 1977, Syracuse United Neighbors (SUN) is a grassroots neighborhood group that organizes residents in low income neighborhoods. We help create active knowledgeable and involved citizens that make their streets, neighborhoods and city better.

Established to support and promote the academic achievement, multicultural competence, social development, civic engagement, and retention of students from historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups at Syracuse University.

The Alchemical Nursery is a community benefits organization committed to the development of eco-social regenerative lifestyles and landscapes utilizing the principles and ethics of Permaculture, the Intentional Communities movement, Ecovillage living, Eco-socialism, and Mutual Aid activity. By providing the educational resources, dialogue space, and network tools we are growing towards cultural transformation, right livelihood, and equilibrium between local human society and our global Earth community

We advocate for people locked up by police and locked out of schools to build power and chart a path toward liberation by making racial and economic justice a reality.

Upstate Drone Action is a decentralized, informally-organized, grassroots network of activists mostly from upstate New York. We seek to educate the public and Hancock Air Base personnel re the war crimes perpetuated with the MQ9 Reaper. This unmanned aircraft is remotely piloted via satellite from Hancock, home of the 174th Attack Wing of the NYS Air National Guard located just north of Syracuse in the Town of DeWitt. We also seek to educate the public about the risks of drone proliferation and blowback as well as the surveillance and civil liberties threat the Reaper and other robotic planes pose domestically. Legitimized by international law and by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Upstate Drone Action members heed our consciences and the Nuremburg mandate to expose and impede our nation’s war crime. Committed to nonviolent direct action and civil resistance, members periodically undergo arrest, trial, fines, Orders of Protection and incarceration.

Vera House is a comprehensive domestic and sexual violence service agency providing shelter, advocacy, and counseling services for women, children & men, education and prevention programs and community coordination.

Syracuse VFP is a chapter of Veterans For Peace and welcomes veterans, active military, and supporters in the greater Central NY region who share a vision of building a culture of peace and social justice. We are part of a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using our experiences and lifting our voices. We inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. We are one of of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes: educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars.

Our mission is investing in our community by offering essential services and engaging programming to embrace the diverse needs of all. Our vision is the community center meeting the evolving needs of individuals and families; strengthening and enriching the current and ever-changing community and neighborhood.

WHOLE ME, Inc. was founded in 2003 in response to families looking for an after-school enrichment program that was accessible to deaf and hard of hearing children. Although there are several wonderful after-school programs in Central New York, none of them use sign language as the primary mode of communication. Children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing often feel left out, but this is not the case at WHOLE ME! All of our programs are bilingual, using both American Sign Language (ASL) and English, and bi-cultural, celebrating both Deaf & Hearing culture.

WHOLE ME is proud to be the only organization in Central New York to provide after school activities that are creative and fun in a safe learning environment fully accessible for deaf/hard-of-hearing children, their siblings and their families!

Since our inception we have continued to expand our educational programs and social services which are designed to promote the success of Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing individuals and families in the areas of communication, self-sufficiency, education and employment