In the 1990s, a group of civic and community leaders united around a single goal: preventing youth substance abuse. Nearly three decades later, that effort has grown into Ontario Cares (recently rebranded from the Partnership for Ontario County), a backbone organization that brings together schools, government, law enforcement, nonprofits, and neighbors to spark positive change and fill community gaps. Today, Ontario Cares supports initiatives from free counseling to youth programs and suicide and substance misuse prevention, while also serving as a partner and incubator for emerging programs.
“We continue to work very closely with the county and municipalities to help them identify and address needs,” says Executive Director Gwen Van Laeken. The organization also draws strength from a diverse board of directors who serve as ambassadors in their fields. “They’re really gifted, talented people who are generous with their time and knowledge.”
The Coalitions
Ontario Cares leads three active coalitions: Suicide Prevention Coalition, Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, and Veterans Coalition. For the uninitiated, a coalition unites 12 community sectors for broad representation and collaboration.
At Ontario Cares, a shared goal connects them all—reducing loneliness and isolation. “We try to connect people to each other and the community,” says Ashley Tomassini, director of community wellness and prevention. “This is especially essential for suicide and substance abuse prevention.”
This year, the Veterans Coalition partnered with organizations like Victor Hiking Trails, Compeer Rochester, and Lincoln Hill Farms to host activities that foster movement and connection for veterans. The group also raised awareness and funds to address transportation barriers that prevent veterans from accessing vital resources.
Education is another priority. Through the Lock & Talk program with Ontario County Public Health, Ontario Cares offers suicide prevention training that stresses securing firearms and medications. “Even delaying by a few minutes can make all the difference in suicide prevention,” says Tomassini.
The Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition also runs medication take-back days with the Ontario County Sheriff’s Office, giving residents a safe way to dispose of prescriptions. “A lot of people will throw it out or flush it down the toilet. It’s not good for the water supply, it’s not good for the Earth," Tomassini explains, noting that the program also helps reduce access to medications that could be misused. In April, the organization collected over 700 pounds during the National DEA Take-Back Day.
Youth Programs
With its prevention and restorative focus, Ontario Cares became the home of Ontario County Youth Court. At the time, incarceration rates were high, and the Sheriff’s Office sought solutions to divert young people through coalitions and alternative programs.
Each year, Ontario Cares hosts two Youth Court trainings for students in grades 7–12. Participants learn restorative justice, how to apply empathy in the courtroom, and the workings of the justice system, taking on roles such as judge, jury, lawyer, and bailiff. Once trained, they serve in youth court trials for first-time offenders who have committed nonviolent crimes like shoplifting, truancy, or breaking school codes of conduct. Instead of entering the traditional court system, these “respondents” receive sanctions—like apology letters, community service, essays, or films—decided by a jury of peers.
“We’re looking to divert them, restore them, and reduce the burden on a very over-burdened court system,” says Van Laeken. The results speak for themselves: 98% of youth who go through the program don’t reoffend.
Ontario Cares also runs youth clubhouses in Geneva and Bloomfield, dubbed “Epic Zone” by the teens who attend. These drop-in centers give youth ages 12–17 a safe place after school to play games, cook dinner together, go on field trips, and find community with caring staff. “We’ve strengthened kids where they are,” says Van Laeken.
Other youth and family programs include art initiatives in partnership with Finger Lakes Community College, hosted at ArtSpace36 in Canandaigua. The monthly sessions provide a safe outlet for creativity.
Addressing Food Insecurity
Each month, Ontario Cares hosts a pop-up food pantry at the Canandaigua Highway Department Building in partnership with Foodlink and Ontario County Public Health.
Karen Guidarelli, community support programs coordinator, says the drive-thru pantry began during the pandemic to get food to people efficiently with minimal contact. Today, it serves roughly 600–700 individuals and about 300 households each month. “I think food insecurity is countywide, and it’s a low-barrier way for us to address that,” she says. “People tell us all the time they’d rather come to a pop-up because stigma still exists in going to a pantry.”
Meeting Community Needs
Ontario Cares also offers free, short-term, solution-based counseling for youth and residents. In addition, the organization is a referring agency for the Neighbor to Neighbor Fund, a volunteer-run program providing one-time crisis funding for needs like housing, car repairs, and emergencies.
Positive Change, Powered by Partnerships
Through tight-knit connections, surveys, focus groups, and community evaluations, the Ontario Cares team stays on top of trends with data-driven insights, always assessing gaps and building on community strengths to drive positive social change.
“It started as a grassroots community-driven organization, and that’s what we still are,” Van Laeken explains. “We rely on community support to make it happen. This happens through partnerships, volunteers, and people who want to strengthen the community. This work doesn’t happen by itself—we’re locally based because partnerships make it possible.”
To get involved or find out more about Ontario Cares, visit: https://ontariocares.org