February 2025

The mission of SVHC is to cultivate local solutions and collaborative actions that advance the health and well-being of the Cortland community.

Program Spotlight:

Free Tax Preparation with the VITA Program

Tax season can be stressful, but for many individuals and families in our community, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program makes it easier and more accessible. VITA provides free, IRS-certified tax preparation to eligible taxpayers, including those with low-to-moderate incomes, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency.

Why is VITA important? Beyond saving filers the cost of tax preparation services, VITA helps ensure that community members receive the tax credits and refunds they deserve—money that can go toward essentials like rent, food, transportation, and healthcare.

The impact of VITA in our region is significant. Each tax season, our local program completes around 800 tax returns. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw an even greater need, preparing over 1,000 returns in a single season. These refunds provide a much-needed financial boost to households, strengthening both individual economic stability and the local economy.

If you or someone you know could benefit from free tax preparation, be sure to take advantage of this vital community resource! Cal 211 today to schedule your appointment.

SVHC Story Slam

Valentine's Day 2025

Looking for something to do on Valentine's Day this year? Bring a date, or fly solo, and celebrate community through our first ever SVHC Story Slam fundraiser at Ake Gallery!

Similar to the Moth, there will be a series of five-minute stories with the theme: Firsts. Amateur or seasoned story teller, all are welcome!

Beer and wine from Homer Hops will be available for purchase. Suggested donation of $10/person to attend.

Register below! Interested in telling your story? Email anna@sevenvalleyshealth.org

Get Your Tickets for the SVHC Story Slam!

Fidelis Care Maternal Health Grant

Thanks to the support from Fidelis Care, The Doula Partnership can continue providing no-cost birth and postpartum doula support in Cortland County, helping to improve maternal and child health outcomes. This funding increases access to doulas, provides continuing education for doulas, and outreach and networking with healthcare providers and community organizations.

If you’re pregnant, recently pregnant, or supporting someone who is, connect with us!

Learn About The Doula Partnership

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2025 Winter SVHC Winter Challenge! We hope you enjoyed finding an excuse to get outside, spend time with loved ones, or try something new. A HUGE thanks to our sponsors who made the challenge extra fun with some great prizes. See you in 2026!

Save the Date! 2025 Community Forum

We are excited to invite you to participate in the 2025 Cortland County Community Forum, taking place on March 21st at SUNY Cortland from 9am-3pm. This event will bring together local agencies, organizations, and community members to engage in important discussions around the NYS 2025-30 Prevention Agenda priority areas and explore ways to collaborate for a healthier Cortland County.

As part of the forum, we are offering a tabling opportunity for organizations to share resources, programs, and services with attendees. This is a great chance to connect with community members and other local partners who are working toward similar goals. There is no cost to table at this event.

If your organization is interested in having a table, please sign up using the button below. Space is limited, so we encourage you to reserve your spot as soon as possible.

We look forward to your participation and hope to see you there!

Tabling Interest Form

We are in the home stretch of the Kiss the Calf campaign and need your help to reach our $5,000 goal! No matter the amount you give, 100% of the proceeds will go to the Seven Valleys Food Rescue program, which rescues edible food and distributes it to over 25 pantries and shelters in Cortland County. Check out the SVFR Wrapped below to see what the program accomplished last year!

The event can be watched from our Facebook Kiss the Calf Event page on Friday, February 14th at 11am.

Feeling moooooooved to support SVHC? Donate any amount to our Kiss the Calf campaign and help us reach our goal!