About The Ulster County Italian American Foundation
Background
The Ulster County Italian American Foundation was founded based upon the premise that the 35,000 Italian Americans living in Ulster County were looking for an organization to express their ethnic pride and gather to help others in our community. With a rich history of working and living in Ulster County, many Italian American families immigrated through Ellis Island to Kingston, New York and surrounding towns in search of making a living and leaving the poverty in the old country. This migration lasted for 50 years and during that
time, economic fortunes improved and families settled in to a wonderful life in Ulster County. However, Italian traditions were fading as each generation passed and the creation of the Ulster County Italian American Foundation was the answer to “Sustaining Traditions” , as spoken by the Vice Consul of Italy, Stefano Acunto, at the October 11, 2015 Italian Festival on the Strand in Kingston. In short, Italian Americans have pride in their ethnic background and look to continue the beautiful, loving and rich Italian culture for generations to come!
PURPOSE
We are dedicated to preserving, promoting and celebrating the rich culture Italian Americans share in Ulster County. We achieve our goals through outstanding cultural programs, language classes, educational lectures, monthly dinners and community support. We raise funds to provide Education Awards to students, contributions to not-for profit organizations and to those individuals in need of hardship assistance. To work with and partner with existing Italian organizations within Ulster County and beyond.
ORGANIZATION
We are a 501(c)3 organization, approved by the Internal Revenue Service in August 2015, after being incorporated as a New York State Not-For-Profit organization in June 2015. By-Laws have been developed outlining the mission and purpose in further detail, establishing officers, committees, and the general direction of the Foundation.
Click Here to download the By-Laws.
The creation of a 501(c)3 in August 2015 and our charitable purpose has enabled all contributions to be tax deductible under Internal Revenue Service guidelines.
Achieving Our Mission
Italian Festival
Sponsor the annual Italian Festival in Kingston, New York, through fund raising efforts and volunteer hours to promote and preserve the Italian culture..
Education Awards
Provide annual Education Awards to high school age students of Italian American heritage.
Support
Provide financial support to local charities and needy individuals based upon economic need.
Education
Hold Italian American lecture series featuring guest speakers discussing notable Italian Americans in world history and in the history of Ulster County and the Hudson Valley.
Language
Offer Italian Language lessons in concert with local educational institutions.
Learn Italian with UCIAF member and author/teacher Gabrielle Euvino
Members of the community are encouraged to reach out to Gabrielle Euvino for more information about upcoming classes and/or to arrange a personalized study program for you and your family.
Ms. Euvino has been teaching Italian to adults and children for more than 25 years. She earned a B.A. from SUNY College at New Paltz in Italian Language and Literature, and an M.A. from New York University in International Education. Gabrielle is author of several Italian language related titles including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Learning Italian (Alpha Books), The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Italian Phrases (Alpha Books) and What They Didn't Teach You in Italian Class (Ulysses Press), all available at a bookstore near you or via Amazon and other online booksellers.
Institutions with whom Ms. Euvino has been affiliated include The College of St. Rose, The Language Immersion Institute, SUNY College at New Paltz, Ulster Community College, Boces, and The Culinary Institute of America.
For more information about classes and workshops, as well as to receive a free copy of Basic Italian Expressions, please write to her at: gabrielle.euvino@gmail.com or call (845) 339-0023.
Engage
Hold monthly/bi-monthly social dinners. UCIAF sponsored events such as Bocce day Little Italy trips, Ellis Island trips, Ferragosto on Arthur ave. and many more culturally educational experiences