Recent Comments
Re: “Dissecting the coffee wave”
You missed the most important cafe: Coffee Connection, especially one of its three locations: The Greenhouse Cafe on E. Main St. Just short of the Winton Rd dead end. Not only is the coffee great, but the entire enterprise is a non-profit enterprise and employs women in recovery. On Friday noons (11am-whenever) musicians gather for jamming, singing and discussion. On Friday nights, there are music performances - all for the benefit of the greater mission of the cafe.
Re: “United for Rochester's sake”
As a student of voluntary charitable organizations and the United Way's role in funding them since the 1960s, I have to differ with CEO Peter Carpino's observations that donors "have not given up control" by giving through the UW. He points to the earmarked option in their pledge process which allows donors to designate which organizations they want their contributions to be credited to, or conversely, which organizations they don't want their contributions to support, as was the case during the 80s and 90s at least. What he doesn't say is that all approved organizations must submit an annual budget to UW in order to qualify to receive anything. If donors earmark more than the agreed-upon budget of an organization, they still only receive the previously agreed-upon amount specified in their budget. If donors earmark less than the agreed-upon budget of an organization, they still receive the previously agreed-upon amount specified in their budget. If donors contribute directly to an organization outside of the UW process, the organization is bound to report that to UW, which deducts that amount from the previously agreed-upon budget. In other words, UW in in the position of determining what each individual organization will receive and the control is definitely out of the hands of the donor. The original Community Chest idea was to provide a way for the community to collectively vote with their contributions, rather than to have the UW board and staff determine this. Yes, Mr. Carpino, donors have definitely lost the ability to control where their contributions go. You will probably argue that control needs to be sacrificed when a broader approach to community planning is desired and to some extent I can agree with you. But do donors still have a hand in controlling where their contributions go? The answer is decidedly no.
Marshall L. Smith, PhD, MSW
Professor Emeritus, RIT
Re: “Dissecting the coffee wave”
I would think City News would want to focus on an enterprise that is non-profit and benefiting people who deserve a second chance. Second wave, third wave - these terms must mean something to someone, but not to most readers. I'd suggest a follow up on what the "third wave" shops are contributing to the community, compared to enterprises like Coffee Connection.