Kids Discover the Trail! Featured at Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours

On Wednesday, October 9th, IPEI’ will host the monthly Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours highlighting Kids Discover the Trail!  for the business community.

This month’s showcase will be held at Cornell Plantations from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. It will be a wonderful opportunity to learn more about this unique collaboration between IPEI, the Discovery Trail, and the Ithaca City School District that services 2,900 ICSD elementary schoolers. There will also be wine and beer, light refreshments, and door prizes that include memberships to the Johnson Museum, the Sciencenter, and more!

Tickets are only $12 and can be purchased here.

You can read the official release from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce below the jump:

Moving, Moving, Moved!

It's the beginning of August, and in Ithaca that means moving season! This August IPEI, like so many college and graduate students, moved into a new home - our first office!

The office is located at the Just Be Cause center on 1013 W State St. The Just Be Cause center is a not-for-profit development center founded by Jerry Dietz in memory of his late wife Judy. Judy was a pillar of the Ithaca community who devoted her time and passion to improving the little city she loved.

We are so grateful to Jerry for our great new space which will enable us to better serve the Ithaca City School District!

The Just Be Cause Not-For-Profit Development Center!

Jerry Dietz with IPEI Board President Terry Byrnes

IPEI Development Committee Chair Mary Grainger and Board President Terry Byrnes hard at work!

IPEI Welcomes Christine Sanchirico As First Executive Director

After an extensive search, IPEI has named Christine Sanchirico as its first executive director. Ms. Sanchirico has served the Ithaca community for years, and has an impressive history with local nonprofits. She was the executive director of Catholic Charities, executive director of the Ithaca Breast Cancer Alliance (now the Cancer Resource Center), executive administrator of the Women’s Community Building, and interim executive director of Literacy Volunteers of Tompkins County (now Tompkins Learning Partners).

“It is a true honor to join IPEI at such an exciting time in its history and to have the chance to work in partnership with such a dedicated group of board members and volunteers,” Sanchirico said in a statement. “I am the proud parent of three adult children, all of whom attended ICSD schools from kindergarten through high school. I witnessed first-hand the challenges and successes of our local educational system. I believe strongly in the necessity for alternative sources of funding to provide for those areas in which there are gaps in service and unmet needs.”

IPEI Board President Terry Byrnes said, “We are thrilled to have someone of Chris’ experience and level of commitment to our community and its youth join our organization." Stay tuned for more news about this amazing new chapter for IPEI!