To increase the skills of the region’s workforce and provide residents with tools to train for new job opportunities, Finger Lakes Works has launched its “SkillUp Finger Lakes” program. All eligible residents can take classes, explore career pathways and even prepare for various industry-recognized certifications, all for free and all from home.

Through an online portal, Finger Lakes Works provides free access to over 5,000 courses from Skillsoft, a nationally recognized training provider of workplace, business, technical and IT courses.

Whether they are looking for a first job, a new job, or to advance in their chosen field, residents can take advantage of this career enhancing training. SkillUp Finger Lakes delivers flexible, self-paced learning that can be accessed from anywhere with a high-speed internet connection, 24/7. Users will complete a self-assessment of their skills, identify any skill gaps, and automatically receive recommended courses to remediate those gaps. Jobseekers can train in essential workplace skills, study job interview talking points and search for employment opportunities nationwide.

Available topics include Microsoft Office, effective customer service, project management, leadership, critical thinking, CompTIA, and many more.

To enroll online, learners can visit http://fingerlakes.skillupamerica.org/.

For those who need assistance, or if you are interested in additional career services, visit one of the Finger Lakes Works Career Centers (https://fingerlakesworks.com).

Local businesses can take advantage of SkillUp Finger Lakes for new hire training. Custom curricula can be developed pertinent to a particular employer or industry. Businesses can also access the platform’s employer portal to identify skilled candidates or list their job openings. Interested employers can contact Michael Woloson at Finger Lakes Works Business Services via email at mwoloson@fingerlakesworks.com or phone at (315) 789-3131.

“Through SkillUp Finger Lakes, our workforce development board can serve a significantly larger portion of our community and enhance our overall career services offering,” said Executive Director of Finger Lakes Workforce Development Board Karen A. Springmeier. “In addition, we are providing the tools necessary to upskill our local workforce and increase the pool of qualified candidates to support our existing and potential local businesses.”

Mozaic, formerly Arc of Seneca Cayuga and Arc of Yates, has new service offerings to meet the needs of families in Yates and Seneca counties.

Services include respite, community habilitation, caregiver/family support, community self advocacy training, prevocational and supported employment. Expansion to more counties is anticipated throughout 2020.

Respite care includes short-term, temporary care to families who do not currently have resources or natural supports. Community habilitation supports youth with learning social and daily living skills as well as health-related tasks. Caregiver/family support offers training and resources to help make informed and empowered choices. Community self advocacy includes training for children/youth, caregivers and advocates to prevent difficulties while taking part in community activities.

Prevocational services will empower youth ages 14 and older to learn skills to prepare for paid or volunteer work matching their interests. While Supported Employment services will assist youth in finding and maintaining steady employment within the community.

“We are excited to offer new services that will truly support our community’s youth,” said Mozaic Director of Behavioral Health Keegan Ovens. “These new program offerings allow Mozaic to reach even more people in our community to provide these missing and necessary supports and resources.”

In addition to home and community-based services, Mozaic will also be expanding its care management services into Seneca County. Care managers are the key point of contact for managing all services a child may need. They monitor to ensure each service provider works together for the best interest of the child and family.

If you or someone you know may be interested in these services, reach out to Mozaic representative Keegan Ovens, Director of Behavioral Health Services, to determine if you or your child is eligible at (315) 536- 7447 or by visiting Mozaic.org.

NEWARK — The village of Newark has received a $30,000 grant for a Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study of Perkins Park.

The grant, obtained from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, will enable evaluation of stormwater issues at the park associated with Military Brook and the Erie Canal.

The planning project will provide stormwater management recommendations using green infrastructure which could include stream corridor management, swale and rain garden overflow, porous pavement, natural vegetation buffers and bioretention areas.

Mayor Jonathan Taylor stated, “The Village Board and I have been keenly aware of the need for this study. I am excited that the Village of Newark has received this grant because it will enable us to move forward; to plan and protect the future of Perkins Park.”

CLYDE — The Galen Historical Society will host its quarterly meeting on Monday, Jan. 27 at the Brick Church Museum on North Park Street.

The short business meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by desserts provided by attending members. The program for the evening is Part 3 of the Agriculture in Galen series; “Anstee Acres, Cash Crop Farming”. After the video, Don and Pam Anstee will answer questions.

The meeting and program are open to the public.

BATH — The Institute for Human Services Inc. will hold its annual nonprofit professional development conference, Recharge 2.0, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18 at Radisson Hotel Corning.

This event is for all nonprofit professionals from the Southern Tier and across New York state. Participants include professionals from nonprofit organizations and those working with them; from front-line staff to executive management.

The second year of a reinvented Recharge 2.0 Conference will focus on professional development knowledge-sharing in an interactive format. It will be a day filled with motivation, inspiration, networking, tips, and tools to help nonprofit professionals recharge and leave feeling ready to take on the rest of the year at their organization. Conference session topics include IHS’ annual meeting, managing leadership stress, building inter-agency collaborations, improving team performance, legal and marketing issues and more.

Featured presenters will include Keynote Speaker Kate Sholonski of Triumph Leadership Group — a leading thinker on building leadership into organizational culture; and Erica Marx of Erica Marx Coaching — a top voice in implementing cross-agency cooperation and teamwork. Additional presentations will be made by The New York Council on Nonprofits and representatives of Harter, Seacrest & Emery LLP.

Tickets for Recharge 2.0 can be purchased through Eventbrite. Early-bird registration (a $10 savings) ends Jan. 31. Regular event registration will begin Feb. 1 and ends March 13.

To learn more, visit ihsnet.org/ihs-events/, or address questions to Jason Jordan, Director of Communications & Member Services at jordanj@ihsnet.org, or call (607) 776-9467 ext. 231.

GENEVA — The Smith Opera House will host an open house at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28 or 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 inside the theater lobby at 82 Seneca St.

Volunteer activities include ushering, ticket scanning, selling concession items and bar beverages, distributing marketing materials, helping with special projects, and more. The benefits of volunteering include the opportunity to earn comp seats for live events and to see some of the show or movie while working a shift. All ages and abilities are welcome at this free event.

“Volunteering at The Smith is a wonderful opportunity to try something new, meet new people, impact the community, and be a part of the rich history of the Smith Opera House,” said Volunteer Coordinator Sharon Caito.

Take it from Greg Peck, Smith volunteer. He said, “I have been a Smith volunteer since June 2016. I volunteer at The Smith because it is essential that our community experience cultural diversity through the arts...I take pride in volunteering at The Smith, and I encourage others to contribute.”

To learn more, or to tell us how you’d like to be involved, call (315) 781-5483 or email Caito at scaito@thesmith.org.

GENEVA — A Roundtable of Antiques and Books will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25 at the Geneva History Museum, 543 S. Main St.

The program is presented by the Antiques Club of the Finger Lakes.

The public is invited to take an antique or vintage object of interest to share or to find more information. The objects can be of any kind — books, prints, glassware, china, photographs, jewelry, household items, and more.

The program is free. Refreshments will be served.

Panelists include Marj Viertel, an Antiques Club member and retired antiques dealer; Bethany Haswell of Stomping Grounds, an eclectic bookshop with art, framing and gifts in Geneva; and Jennifer and Derrick Carlson, former owners of an antiques shop on Exchange Street in Geneva who now sell mostly through eBay.

PENN YAN — The Yates County Democratic Committee will open its 2020 campaign headquarters at 9 Main St., the former Books Landing location.

The party’s first event will be on Tuesday, Jan. 28 when State Senate candidate Leslie Danks Burke will be at the headquarters between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m. as she starts a tour of the 58th Senate district.

The headquarters will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays in January, February and March. Beginning in April it will be open more days and longer hours to promote the Democratic Presidential Primary as well as the Tracy Mitrano and Leslie Danks Burke campaigns. Public discussions about candidates and issues important to Yates County residents will be scheduled.

The Democrats invite area residents to follow the party on Facebook (The Yates County Democrats), and their website (YatesDems.org).

For more information, email YatesDems@gmail.com or call (315) 308-3214.

CANANDAIGUA — Canandaigua National Bank & Trust has welcomed Michael Pasley as mortgage loan originator.

Pasley joins CNB after a 10-year career as an educator and coach most recently with the St. Louis School in Pittsford, and Pittsford Athletics.

Pasley, of Pittsford, has completed extensive training through the School of Loan Origination to become licensed under the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act. Pasley earned his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management from Ohio State University, as well as a master’s degree in education from Brooklyn College.

GENEVA — Finger Lakes Health has named Tammy Seaberg as its new controller.

In this role, she will supervise the Department of Fiscal Services, which includes General Accounting, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Financial Reporting.

Before bringing her skills to the Finger Lakes, Seaberg most recently worked as the chief financial officer of Family Services of Chemung County in Elmira, and as one of three CFOs of The Guthrie Clinic in Sayre, Pa.

She brings an experience in the healthcare financial industry in acute care hospitals and nursing homes in central New York that amounts to over 19 years.

Seaberg holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Marywood University in Scranton, Pa., and recently earned a master’s degree in healthcare administration from Utica College.