FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc.
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FOCUS Forums

Workforce in Motion: Aligning Talent, Opportunity, and Civic Engagement
April 16, 2026

Recording Now Available!

FOCUS hosted a hybrid public forum on workforce development and the future of work in Central New York, exploring how the region is preparing residents, employers, and educational institutions for a period of economic transformation that has not been seen here in generations. Panelists from Center State CEO, the MACNY – The Manufacturers Association of Central New York, and Le Moyne College’s Erie 21 program discussed the programs, pipelines, and partnerships working to connect everyday people to construction, manufacturing, and technology careers, and named the barriers, including transportation, childcare, and awareness, that continue to keep those opportunities out of reach for too many residents.

FOCUS Forums

Water Conservation: Understanding & Protecting Our Watersheds
April 15, 2026

Recording Now Available!

FOCUS hosted a hybrid public forum on watershed health, and the shared environmental responsibility of protecting CNY’s most essential natural resource. Panelists explored the connection between agricultural stewardship, urban waterways, Indigenous land and water relationships, and the significant environmental questions that come with Micron’s arrival in the region. The conversation ranged from composting and lawn care to PFAS contamination and the ongoing work of Onondaga Lake cleanup, with a consistent message that water connects all of us, and caring for it is everyone’s responsibility.

FOCUS Forums

FOCUS Forums
April 6, 2026

FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc. hosts monthly public forums that are free to attend and aim to gather a group of experts to discuss a specific topic, project, or initiative that is significant to the CNY community. During these forums, attendees have the opportunity to pose questions to the panel and engage in constructive conversations with fellow engaged community members.

Citizens Academy

Citizens Academy
April 5, 2026

Join Our Waitlist!

Citizens Academy is an 11-week, in-person program that brings everyday people into the same room with the local officials, leaders, and experts who make decisions that affect your life every day! You hear from them directly. You ask the questions. You leave knowing how to show up for your community!

Civic engagement starts smaller than most people think. It looks like recycling. It looks like reading a headline and actually knowing the backstory. It looks like knowing exactly who to call when your street hasn’t been plowed or something in your neighborhood doesn’t feel right.

Citizens Academy isn’t a spectator sport! For 21 years and across 700+ graduates, it has been turning everyday curiosity into real civic action! You don’t have to run for office. You don’t need any prior experience. You just have to show up for your community!

Spots are limited to 35 participants per season and demand is high. Submitting an application does not guarantee participation.

FOCUS Forums

Literacy Skills: Perspectives on Reading and Digital Fluency
April 5, 2026

Recording Now Available!

FOCUS hosted a hybrid public forum exploring literacy and digital literacy and their impact on education, employment, and civic engagement across Central New York. Panelists discussed the science of reading, adult education, workforce readiness, and the growing importance of digital skills in everyday life while highlighting local efforts to support learners of all ages.

Meet Your Match: Board Recruitment Night
April 1, 2026

The Gifford Foundation, in partnership with FOCUS Greater Syracuse, Inc., and Leadership Greater Syracuse hosted our Spring 2026 Board Recruitment Night! Meet Your Match provided an opportunity for local nonprofit organizations and community-minded people to connect, explore shared interests, and discover meaningful ways to work together!

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