Who We Serve—Our Area

administer grants to those in need.

To truly assess and analyze the needs of the community, EOP collaborated in other Community Assessments

meetings. During the 2016-2019 years, the organization was instrumental in the Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative

and continues in the implementation of the Neighborhood Hubs strategy with a collaboration of the Division of Social

Services (DSS) by hosting a DSS Navigator. The organization partnered with the Chemung Health Department

Assessment (June 2019), and the New York State After School Network ELNoST Afterschool Consortium. EOP

strategically participates and co-facilitates in various community assessments by partnering with other organizations to

strengthen community, offer input in relevant areas of programming, gather input on the greatest areas of need and

influence outcomes addressing the greatest needs of the community.

In October 2019, after the completion of the TRACS audit, EOP focused on participant, board, and community

service by conducting a survey. Three areas of common themes resulted in: the facility of the after-school program,

employment, and attending college due to the lack of jobs or living wages. The feedback regarding EOP’s services was

positive and its three areas of focus continuing to be as follows: childcare and after school services, career readiness, and

health, wellness, housing, and hunger.

Our #EOPEssential staff and board never stopped serving, our doors never closed. During the pandemic, we refocused on

providing series that produced results. Significantly, our COVID-19 emergency response provided more than 50,000

meals @EOPCurbside-breakfast and dinner; provided childcare to essential workers; and supportive care for our

homeless veterans @Libertad-Elmira. EOP, Inc. rallied our neighborhoods with local, NYS, and national partners to

set-up COVID-19 related clinics and care for our community (Appendix III).

The community assessment process continued to better understand the impact of COVID-19 and the most relevant

and appropriate response. Expanded innovative and unique education, social, and business partnerships were garnered

with Arnot Health, Excellus BCBS, Elmira-Corning Community Foundation, and Five Star Bank to address the

evolving needs of the community. For example, COVID-19 clinics were hosted as a result of the community sharing its

need for accessible health services, education, and information (Appendices III & IV). EOP, Inc. was ready, willing, and

able to respond to the need. Participation in the NYS Health Equity Taskforce provided more opportunities for outreach

and community assessment to help frame and develop a community POD strategy for the distortion of vaccines. As a

result, vaccine clinics were hosted at Libertad-Elmira in February 2021.

Since February 2021, more than 10 vaccine clinics have been hosted at EOP, Inc., facilitating more than 1,000

vaccines to be provided to the community. The vaccination rates are very low for the Census Tracks 7 and 10, which

host the highest levels of poverty in the City of Elmira and there are high rates of COVID-19 cases.

Therefore, as an update, the plan to host ongoing clinics in October/November 2021 with Arnot Health is a viable

response to the public health need. In one survey, with more than 100 community participants and partners, 80% want

the focus of programs and services to be Public Health and/or addressing COVID-19 related needs.

In order to meet the needs of the community, feedback from staff is crucial and valued. EOP engaged and met

monthly through virtual platforms to address employee needs and expanded an interactive format, Soul Talks. Staff

comments were positive about communicating ideas and receiving feedback from their supervisors. EOP continues to

maintain an open door policy in which staff may communicate through a variety of methods, utilizing Zoom chat boxes

and small group trainings and discussions. To better equip the staff, training and development courses with the following

topics were attended by supervisors and staff: ACES Trauma Training; Resilience; Change Management; and

Managing Crisis during a Pandemic.