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A Brief History of FTG
FTG incorporated in September 2002 in order to benefit the Utica
community through services aimed at low income residents and their
neighborhoods. In its first year FTG secured itself a valuable,
productive contributor to the community. FTG organized intervention and
neutralization of violence in African-American girl gangs and provided
numerous alternative actions to violence. The Study Buddy Club was
organized and produced impressive academic improvement. The beginnings
of the Mohawk Valley Contractors Guild took shape, creating
possibilities and opportunities for inner city tradesmen.
In 2003 FTG secured a headquarters facility
from the Urban Renewal Agency, and renovated the facility with the
assistance of numerous local volunteers and prospective Guild members.
In 2004 volunteers began to staff the facility
and the Utica Phoenix was launched. Revenues from the Phoenix sustained
the organization in its early years.
In 2005 completed the first full year of operation of the Mohawk Valley
Contractors Guild. With the support of the Wal-Mart Foundation, Senator
Ray Meier, Assemblywoman RoAnn Destito, the Bank of Utica, Partners
Trust, and JP Morgan Chase, FTG successfully supported six contracting
companies and wrote over 1.1 million dollars in business its first
year.
Future plans of FTG
include increasing the volume and distribution of the Utica Phoenix
continuing to build the potential and scope of the Guild; expanding the
annual Juneteenth celebration to include participation of all local
African American organizations; continuing to develop youth programming
to include arts and expand the creation of the full spectrum skilled
trades training camps on South Street.
Officers of the Board
•Michael Woods (Chairman) •Cassandra Harris-Lockwood (President)
•Stephen L. Lockwood (Secretary) •Thomas P. Fiorentino, CPA (Treasurer)
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