Below are resources available to assist those in the Lansing community.
The Lansing Community Library is working to help build consumer awareness about the Emergency Broadband Benefit, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The temporary benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households during the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
The $3.2B Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount of up to a $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households. The benefit also provides up to a $100 per household discount toward a one-time purchase of a computer, laptop, or tablet if the household contributes more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase through a participating broadband provider.
A household is eligible if one member of the household meets at least one of the criteria below:
- Has an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid or the FCC’s Lifeline program;
- Approved to receive benefits under the free and reduced-price school lunch program or the school breakfast program, including through the USDA Community Eligibility Provision, in the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year;
- Received a Federal Pell Grant during the current award year;
- Experienced a substantial loss of income through job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020 and the household had a total income in 2020 at or below $99,000 for single filers and $198,000 for joint filers; or
- Meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income or COVID-19 program.
Emergency Broadband Benefit enrollment will opened on May 12, 2021. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) using an online or mail-in application. Additional information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit is available at www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. any day of the week.
Interested in Driver’s Ed Online?
Try some online practice tests!
Tconnect, an app-based, on-demand and call-in service offered by TCAT with app developer HyperCommute, first launched Aug. 30 to serve riders on Saturdays and Sundays in the northeast part of TCAT’s service area. See Tconnect 77 spring schedule effective Sun., Feb. 7 through Sat., May 29, and includes more coverage in the surrounding area of Lansing Town Hall to include Milton Meadows and Woodsedge Apts.
If you haven’t already, please check out HyperCommute’s apps by clicking either IOS or Android for whichever mobile device you use. If you need assistance using the app, Tconnect staff will be happy to help you out with training. Email us at at tcat@tcatmail.com (place Tconnect app in the subject line) or call (607) 277-9388 ext. 560 and leave a message with your information on how best to contact you.
Instead of using buses and drivers from Gadabout Transportation Services, as it will for the Dryden-centered service, the Tconnect 77 service in the Lansing/Etna area is using smaller 35 foot TCAT buses. TCAT plans to operate this service through February, and depending on ridership, will continue offering it in the future.
Riders are able to download the the HyperCommute app on their iPhones on the App Store or an Android phone on Google Play to subscribe and to schedule rides For those who don’t have a smartphone, rides can be scheduled by calling (607) 277-7433 (RIDE).
Essentially, Tconnect is designed to help rural residents access TCAT’s existing bus service. As mentioned above, it allows users to schedule a trip either on a smaller TCAT as it will for the Lansing/Etna service or for the Dryden service, a Gadabout minibus. Trips can be scheduled using a mobile app or by calling the Tconnect office. The app will provide real-time vehicle location information for both the Gadabout and TCAT buses, assisting users in seamlessly transferring between services.
The goals of this project are to:
- Increase rural access to public transportation
- Reduce transportation barriers in Tompkins County
- Reduce the number of drive alone vehicles coming into Ithaca
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
To see a pre-pandemic press release click here.
To the right/below is an earlier video presentation to give a better understanding of what Tconnect will look like when it is launched in Dryden.
TCAT’s other project partners include Way2Go, Cornell Cooperative Extension’s transportation education program and paratransit provider Gadabout Transportation Services, Inc. The project is being funded with a $260,000 grant from the NYSERDA.
Monkey Pox information from the Tompkins County Health Department.
Empowering Women; Inspiring Change
The Women’s Opportunity Center understands that a woman’s life is improved by equipping her with life, career and education skills. Whether it’s helping to crystalize your goals and dreams, offering guidance as you search for your dream job, or providing you with the wardrobe you need to ace the interview, we’re here to lend support services, mentoring, career counseling and resources to help create the changes that positively effect you, your family and your community.
Financial security starts by building basic knowledge of money matters. These links to free online classes and information can help you handle the inevitable ups and downs of financial life by understanding how to avoid money pitfalls and manage financial issues as they arise.
Continuing education is a way for adults to change careers, learn new skills or improve existing ones, meet job requirements, earn more money, follow a dream or goal, or return to achieve a degree or certification after taking a break from studying. From earning a high school diploma to acquiring a higher degree, there are plenty of options for tuition-free online continuing education courses for adults. The Women’s Opportunity Center has compiled a list of the best options for you.
The YMCA of Ithaca & Tompkins County and Foodnet are partnering to bring Foodnet’s congregate meal program to the YMCA three days a week.
The YMCA is now hosting one of Foodnet’s social dining sites on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:30am-1:00pm.
- This program is available to anyone over the age of 60 that would benefit from nutritious meals; spouses can receive meals regardless of age.
- Individuals under the age of 60 can receive meals at full cost ($8) or with private insurance.
- Foodnet encourages individuals over the age of 60 to make a voluntary contribution towards their meals, but no one will ever be turned away because of their inability to pay.
- A YMCA membership is not required to participate in the social dining program.
Questions? Interested in signing up for lunch? Help us spread the word!
Call Foodnet at 607-266-9553 or visit foodnet.org.
There are wonderful offerings available for older adults at the YMCA. Memberships are free for individuals that are over the age of 85. Plus, every Thursday the YMCA offers the use of their facilities and amenities for only $1.00 for anyone age 60 or over.
Interested in sharing your time and talent by volunteering with us? Email us at ltallman@foodnet.org. To learn more about the programs offered at the YMCA, visit www.ithacaymca.com or call 607-257-0101.
Searching for a job?
We’ll help make it a little easier.
LCL offers the following free services for those who are looking for a job. Ask for details at the Circulation Desk.
- FREE Printing/Copying/Scanning
- FREE Faxing
- EXTRA Computer Time
(subject to availability)
The Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes is a nonprofit agency located in Central New York serving those in our region affected by cancer. All our services are completely free, and all of our funding stays local.
Mission
The mission of the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes is to create and sustain a community of support for people living with and affected by cancer.
Statement of Inclusion
The Cancer Resource Center seeks to serve all people living with or affected by cancer. Our goal is to create an inclusive, welcoming community in which the perspectives and needs of all those we serve are heard and respected.