History

Community Unified Today, Inc. (CUT) is a not for profit, 501(c)(3) community based organization providing housing, childcare, and support services to low income, multi-ethnic, and developmentally disabled populations in Ontario and Wayne Counties.

Originally a coalition of African American churches and community groups, CUT was founded in June 1974 with the mission of creating equal housing, economic, and educational opportunities for low income families and persons of color, whose housing options were often limited to substandard units in deteriorating neighborhoods.

In 1986, CUT received a New York State Rural Preservation grant which annually provides a portion of the administrative support necessary to facilitate residential development. Current housing services include financial home ownership assistance to first time, low income buyers, pre-purchase counseling, etc. In addition, the agency owns and manages 35 rental units consisting of a homeless housing development and larger, scattered sites. Providing decent, safe, and affordable housing for homeless persons, people with special needs, and families working towards self-sufficiency is the overall intent of CUT’s rental housing program; assisting tenants in transitioning to home ownership is a program priority.

In 1988, CUT entered the field of early childhood development; opening RISE Day Care Center as a NYS licensed childcare provider. The agency now operates two licensed childcare centers in the City of Geneva serving working families and children with special needs. Construction of a third facility, in neighboring Wayne County is planned for 2002. As a provider of childcare services, CUT strives to provide quality, affordable, licensed services for working families in the community.

CUT Today

Today, CUT contracts with the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities to provide family support services to developmentally disabled residents of Ontario and Wayne Counties.

CUT has sponsored, and will continue to sponsor events to educate and promote awareness of community needs and resources including “From Rental to Real Estate,” a home ownership conference in June 2000, the “Families Facing the Future Conference” in 1995, and the “Taking Care of Business Seminar Series” co-sponsored with the U.S. Small Business Administration. CUT has also taken the lead in planning UNITY festival, an annual event to promote understanding and appreciation of the region’s cultural diversity.

The CUT headquarters has served as a meeting place for several community organizations including the Geneva Martin Luther King Committee which encourages academic achievement through the provision of scholarship funds to deserving African American and Latino high school students, and the Coalition for Racial Equality which works to promote non-partisan political participation amongst traditionally underrepresented and disenfranchised members of the community.

Community Unified Today, Inc. is managed by Executive Director, Patrisha Blue, and a six-member board of directors.