News
 
Jun 11th, 2014
SCRABBLE® FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF CHENANGO COUNTY
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF CHENANGO COUNTY
Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County (LVCC) announces the June 2014 Scrabble® for Literacy "Spellabration" to be held at the Norwich Campus of Morrisville State College on Saturday, June 14th from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. The event provides fun, snacks, raffles, and prizes for participants while raising awareness and funds to support Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County. We'll be open for registration, refreshments and sign-in at 12:30 p.m.
Teams of two to three players compete in three rounds of Scrabble® and related games. Teams may be sponsored by businesses, schools, or community organizations and can consist of co-workers, students, friends, and family members. Each year, the event provides friendly competition, literacy awareness, and a good time for either the "scrabble enthusiast" or the general public!
Businesses and individuals can support Literacy Volunteers through Scrabble® for Literacy in a variety of ways:
* Recruit a Scrabble® team or register as an individual and join a team on the day of the event! The cost to register is $12 per person.
* Collect pledges or match donations made by a team of employees.
* Become a Scrabble® Sponsor by making a donation to the Literacy Volunteers program.
* Donate a gift certificate or items from your business that may be used as prizes or raffles for Scrabble® participants.
Players are still needed! To register to play or make a donation, call Literacy Volunteers at 607-334-7114 or email at lva@www.ofcinc.org. Click here to download, fill out, and print a registration form to play. By supporting Literacy Volunteers, businesses and individuals will show their commitment to improving the state of literacy in the Chenango County community. LVCC is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a variety of services that enable people to achieve their economic, family, or personal goals through increased literacy.
Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County is a program of Opportunities for Chenango, Inc. and a Chenango County United Way funded program.
 
Jun 20th, 2013
2013 Scrabble® for Literacy Results
The 2013 Scrabble tournament was a success! We netted nearly a thousand dollars thanks to the generous donations of many businesses, churches and community groups, and the contributions of our players.
You can find photos on the Opportunities for Chenango Facebook page!
Our winners this year:
Beginner Division:
- 1st Place “Team Norris” (Dorlene, Byron and Victoria Norris)
- 2nd Place “D & D” (Debbie Ecker and Dawn Sharki)
- 3rd Place “Wheels 3” (Linda Spoor and Blanche Pardo)
Intermediate Division:
- 1st Place “Generations” (Wanda Kuhn and Adam Munio)
- 2nd Place “Golden Girls” (Pam Hernandez and Trudy Johnson)
- 3rd Place “Advantage Signs” (Sam Pertilla)
Advanced Division:
- 1st Place “Sherburne UCC Women’s Fellowship” (Susan Kmiec)
- 2nd Place “Wheels 1” (Donna Anderson and Barb Tallett)
Highest Single Play went to Susan Kmiec. Highest Overall Score was achieved by Wanda Kuhn and Adam Munio.
Susan Kmiec received the “Marilyn Russell Award” for bringing in the greatest number of pledges.
LVCC wants to thank all players as well as the following contributors for supporting Literacy Volunteers:
- Classic Car Museum
- Community Bank
- Fred’s Inn
- Chobani’s Yogurt
- Maiurano’s Greenhouse
- NBT Bank
- Nina’s
- Paperback Exchange
- Park Place Restaurant
- Parson’s Daughter
- Pire’s Flower Basket, Inc.
- Preferred Mutual
- Roma Pizzeria & Restaurant
- Seasons Gifts
- Sidney Federal Credit Union
- Skillin’s Jeweler’s
- Solstice Whole Foods
- Advantage Signs
- LVCC Advisory Board
- Terri Bickford
- Sherburne UCC Women’s Fellowship
- United Church of Christ of Norwich
- Family and Friends of Susan Kmiec
- SUNY Morrisville
 
Apr 30th, 2013
We need your help!
To better serve the residents of Chenango County and fulfill our mission, we are asking as many Chenango County residents as possible to fill out our Community Needs Assessment. Every 3 years we ask how life in our community is for you, and what YOU feel the community needs to improve life for us all.
We will be sending out paper copies of our survey to our customers, as well as having them available at Roots & Wings, Chenango County DSS, CDO Workforce, ALL Chenango County libraries, and WIC outreach sites in Greene, Bainbridge, Afton, and Sherburne. The online version of our survey is also available at http://www.ofcinc.org/chenangoneeds.
All replies must be in to us by May 29th, 2013. Thank you for helping us help Chenango County!
 
Apr 26th, 2013
It's Time to Play Scrabble® Again!
Literacy Volunteers of Chenango County is hosting its ninth year of Scrabble® Fundraisers!
Community members form teams to play Scrabble® in order to raise funds and promote literacy awareness.
Chenango businesses, with their donations, support the work of LVCC by sponsoring teams, underwriting costs, and supporting the cause of literacy.
Click here to download, fill out, and print a registration form to play. Registration is $10 for early registration or $12 at the door.
For more information, contact us at (607) 334-7114 or email us at lva@www.ofcinc.org.
 
Jan 7th, 2013
First Time Homebuyer Seminar This Month
Quaranta Housing Services is conducting a First Time Homebuyer Seminar on Thursday January 24th at 6:00pm. The seminar will take place at OFC, Inc.'s main offices at 44 W. Main St. in Norwich, and will include the following:
- Are you ready to buy a home?
- Credit and income requirements
- Grant products and programs available for first time homebuyers
- Q&A session with a homeownership counselor, realtor, and lender
This is an excellent opportunity to find out the facts about homeownership and the homebuying process. To find out more information, contact Barney O'Rourke at (607) 336-2101 ext. 125, or click here to email us. Please share this with your friends who may be interested in buying their first home! This is a first come, first seated event.
 
Sep 24th, 2012
OFC, Inc. Hosts Business After Hours Event
On Wednesday, Sept. 19th, OFC, Inc. was proud to host the September session of Commerce Chenango's Business After Hours. Each month, a different business or organization hosts a reception for Commerce Chenango members to find out more about who they are and what they do.
The event was very well attended, and we would like to thank all those who came out to find out more about Community Action and our efforts in the community. If you would like to see pictures from the event, check out our Facebook album here.
 
Jul 16th, 2012
2011-2012 Annual Report Released
Our 2011-2012 Annual Report has just been released, and is available for viewing and download by clicking here, or by going to the About Us section of the site and clicking Annual Report.
This year's report features the challenges that our agency and our customers have faced during the last year, and how together we are working to rise above them.
 
Jun 25th, 2012
STREDC Awards Grants to OFC, Inc.
Thanks to the Southern Tier Regional Council and NYSDHCR, we will be receiving $600,000 to renovate 40 homes in Chenango and Broome counties, and an additional $250,000 to make accessibility improvements to the homes of Chenango County's disabled and elderly. These projects will be served by Quaranta Housing Services.
 
May 31st, 2012
Board of Directors Election June 4-8
OFC, Inc. is holding an election to fill 2 low-income positions on our Board of Directors. The election will run from June 4-8, and votes can be cast at our main offices, Quaranta Housing Services, Back on the Rack, and our Head Start & Early Head Start centers. View the Public Notice here.
 
Apr 27th, 2012
OFC, Inc. Seeking New Board Members
OFC, Inc. is conducting an election to fill 2 vacant board member slots. As part of our mandate, 1/3 of our board must be comprised of low-income members of the community. Nominees must be willing to serve on the Board of Directors and at least one board or advisory committee. Low-income board members can be reimbursed for travel and/or child care expenses required to attend meetings.
If you or someone you know would be interested in this opportunity to serve the community, please click this link Board Vacancy Notice to download a copy of the nomination form, or stop into our main office at 44 W. Main St. in Norwich. Completed forms must be submitted to our office on or before Thursday May 9th, 2012.
 
Apr 17th, 2012
OFC Main Office Getting An Extreme Makeover
Thanks to some state funding, we are going to be able to repair some serious roof and wall leaks in our WIC offices! Starting the 23rd of April, we will be replacing the front facade of our 44 W. Main St. offices, which should make the neighborhood more attractive and eliminate a lot of water damages.
As a result, the parking spots directly in front of the building will be temporarily unavailable. The parking closer to the street and in the back lot will still be available.
 
Mar 29th, 2012
WIC Program Giving Away Bicycle Helmets
The WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program has received a Pedestrian/Bicycle Safety Grant from the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee in order to promote bicycle safety for children.
WIC staff will distribute bike helmets and bike safety information to families at Safe Summer Fun Day, Friday June 15th at Kurt Beyer Park in Norwich. Please stop by and join in the fun!
 
Mar 9th, 2012
Binghamton Homeownership Academy 2012 Schedule
The Binghamton Homeownership Academy is announcing their 2012 First Time Home Buyer class schedule, and is recruiting eligible first time home buyers for affordable housing opportunities in 2012. Families earning $50,000+ a year may qualify.
March 15, 5:30pm
Orientation - "Managing Your Money" & "Understanding Credit"
March 22, 5:30pm
"Are You Ready To Buy A Home?" & "Obtaining A Mortgage"
March 29, 5:30pm
"Shopping For A Home"
April 5, 5:30pm
"Energy Efficiency" & "Protecting Your Investment"
April 19, 5:30pm
Down payment/closing cost/rehab assistance programs, jeopardy review, & test
All classes are held at Metro Interfaith, 21 New Street, Binghamton, NY 13903. A light supper will be provided each night. For more information, call (607) 723-0723.
 
Mar 8th, 2012
Making Ends Meet Workshop
Is your budget tight? Perhaps OFC's workshop "Making Ends Meet" is the answer you have been looking for. Learn techniques and tools that have helped lots of people enhance their financial situation. Find out about community resources to help you reach your financial goals.
Location: Quaranta Housing Services, 43 Hale St., Norwich - March 13th at 5PM.
Register for this free class by calling (607)336-2101 ext. 123.
 
Mar 7th, 2012
Head Start Parent Activity - I Spy Bags
Eight parents at the North Norwich Head Start center gathered to create "I Spy" learning activity bags for their children. The interactive fleece lined bags are sewn together and then filled with rice or plastic beads, along with a variety of other small items.
These tactile learning bags help children build their observation, identification, and language skills. This serves as another example of parents being active participants in their child's learning.
If you are interested in making your own I Spy bag, a good tutorial can be found at: http://alittleofthis---alittleofthat.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-spy-bag-tutorial.html