Social Justice
NAMI-Finger Lakes Panel on Mental Health Court in Ithaca [AUDIO]
This past summer, the City of Ithaca announced its intentions to establish a Mental Health Court. The National Alliance on Mental Illness-Finger Lakes, held a panel discussion on Sunday, October 7, to provide information to the community about the planned Mental Health Court. In this feature, different representatives from the mental health community, the court…
Read MoreCornell Professor Matt Evangelista talks about “Paths to Peace” [AUDIO]
Matt Evangelista, Professor of Government at Cornell University, talks about “Paths to Peace”. The series of events taking place in September honors the legacy of peace activist and scholar Randall “Randy” Forsberg, who died in 2007. Some of the events on the Cornell campus are lectures, films and art exhibits examining the issues of nuclear…
Read MoreHow a DJ and a sexual violence survivors’ advocate make bystander trainings cool in Ithaca [AUDIO]
At an event on Monday, August 27, people in Ithaca can learn how to act as bystanders against sexual assault and harassment in a nightlife setting. The “barstander” training, called, “Barstander Training for Everyone Else!” is taking place on Monday from 6-9 p.m. at Toko Imports in the Dewitt Mall. As the name suggests, it is for everyone,…
Read MoreFriends of Stewart Park Organize Community Build of New Inclusive Playground [AUDIO]
Rick Manning, Executive Director of Friends of Stewart Park, and Lucas Raley, Cornell graduate student and organizer of the community build talk about the upcoming playground construction project. They discuss the features of the future playground and why it will be inclusive and accessible to all. They also talk about the types of jobs that…
Read MoreAmanda Kirchgessner Discusses her 58th District Campaign and Food Insecurity [AUDIO]
WRFI contributor Fred Balfour spoke with Amanda Kirchgessner, a candidate for New York state’s 58th Senate District. They met at the Enfield food pantry, where Amanda is a volunteer, and talked about her campaign as well as food insecurity in the region. This conversation originally aired on WRFI News at 6 on August 15. It…
Read MoreBehind the scenes of the Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP) at Southside Community Center [AUDIO]
We take a look at what goes on at Southside Community Center every summer. WRFI’s Jimmy Jordan recently visited their Community Unity Music Education Program (CUMEP), a unique program where kids learn about music and discussing social justice. Jordan spoke with Southside’s Dr. Nia Nunn and Dr. Baruch Whitehead and captured some magical, musical moments. …
Read MoreWhat is the future of Ithaca’s Rescue Mission, the main homeless shelter in the city?
The Ithaca Rescue Mission has served Ithaca’s homeless community for years. Many community members are concerned about the future: There has been tension between the Rescue Mission and Tompkins County, the announcement of their possible closure, and a public proposal process to take over the Ithaca homeless shelter. What exactly is going to happen to…
Read MoreDon Rakow of Citizens Climate Lobby talks about Carbon Fee and Dividend System [AUDIO]
Don Rakow, Associate Professor in Cornell University School of Integrative Plant Sciences, is a member of the local chapter of the Citizen’s Climate Lobby, also known as the CCL. He describes his organization’s proposal to Congress that they enact legislation that would establish a a carbon fee-and-dividend system. CCL believes that such a system would…
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