Who We Are
History
The NoMa Community Center originated as a project of an organization named Safe Streets that was founded in 1996.
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More about that here:
In 2018, the NoMa Community Center was officially born, housing its various programs and events at 85 Walnut Street, and then later moving to 30 Main Street within the First Congregational Church building on the corner of Front and Main Streets in the City of Binghamton, New York. Our immediate service area encompasses Census Tract 13, Broome County's most distressed, although everyone is welcome at NoMa.
In 2023, a new 501c3 nonprofit, North Of Main Binghamton, Inc. was created to be the permanent official organization managing the NoMa Community Center.
What We Stand For
The NoMa Community Center is a community anchor where everyone is welcome and all programs are free. People can learn from each other, work together, and contribute to a healthy, vibrant community. NoMa creates lasting partnerships that bridge the gaps among residents, local businesses, and other institutions by providing a hub of resources, events, and innovative programs. We provide a safe, non-judgmental, and welcoming environment for community members to be engaged, empowered, and active, while building social capital and networks.
We excel at what we do for three important reasons.
1) Much of our work gets done through the generous donations of time and talent. Many of our committed volunteers come from the population that we serve. Our work persists week in and week out, which not only speaks to our culture, but to a sense of pride and ownership among our clientele.
2) We can respond quickly to shifts in community needs for services and programming. This is possible because we have a flat organizational structure, with much of our administrative work handled by our volunteer board members. Our staff and board members often have informal conversations with clientele who offer suggestions, insight, and word-of-mouth information about what they're seeing in the community.
3) Our driving forces are compassion, dignity, and empowerment. We believe that everyone can achieve what they set their mind to. We also understand that systemic or environmental hurdles stand in the way of many people's goals. We try to help people overcome those hurdles.
Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
Beth Baldwin
Co-Chair
Beth Baldwin, a lifelong Binghamton resident, brings over two decades of dedication and leadership as an educator to the North of Main Community Center. As Co-chair of the Board and Chair of the Programming Committee, Beth plays a central role in shaping and sustaining the Center’s core initiatives, including Teacher Tuesdays and Saturday Lunches. With 26 years of experience teaching in the Binghamton School District, Beth has educated generations of students—many of whom live in or near the NOMA neighborhood. She is also recognized as a New York State Master Teacher Emeritus, reflecting her commitment to excellence in education and mentorship. Beth has been a driving force behind some of the Center’s most beloved traditions, including Teacher Tuesday and Santa’s Workshop, which she has helped lead since their inception. Her passion for community, education, and connection continues to be a vital part of NOMA’s mission and impact.
George Homsy
Treasurer
George serves as Treasurer and in this role oversees the community center’s finances and grant writing. At Binghamton University, where he is an associate professor, he directs the Environmental Studies Program, is an associate professor in the Department of Public Administration, and was the founding director of the university’s Sustainable Communities master’s degree program. Before becoming a professor, George was an urban planning consultant helping local governments create environmentally and economically sustainable communities. Homsy began his investigation of local governments and sustainability as a journalist with the public radio news magazine Living on Earth, which he co-founded and co-produced.
Samantha Lethbridge
Samantha is a dedicated Community Education Coordinator specializing in financial literacy. With over a decade of experience, she collaborates with local organizations to empower individuals through education. She designs engaging workshops that simplify complex financial concepts. She focuses on budgeting, saving, and debt management skills to promote financial stability. Passionate about community development, she believes in the transformative power of knowledge. Samantha holds a Master’s degree in ‘Management and Leadership’ along with a Development Educator, Financial Counselor, and Manager designation. Her biggest passion is making sure that financial education is accessible to all. She actively seeks partnerships to expand outreach and impact.
Co-Chair
Eli Conlin
Secretary
Elijah Conlin is a recent graduate of Binghamton University's Master’s in Sustainable Communities program. Deeply passionate about environmental stewardship and community empowerment, Elijah dedicates his time to initiatives that promote sustainability and social well-being. He currently serves as the Secretary of the North of Main Area Community Center and as the Sustainability Coordinator for the Network for a Sustainable Tomorrow, where he helps advance regional climate and energy initiatives. In his free time, Elijah enjoys swimming, hiking, and exploring local greenspaces.
Les Briscoe
Board Member
Born in Port Chester, NY, I was raised in the Bronx, NY, until I relocated to Binghamton, NY, in 1994. Studied Criminal Justice in College Worked at the Binghamton YMCA (1994-96), Children's Home of Wyoming Conference (1996-98), then transferred to NYS Government. Retired Government Worker after 22 years (1998-2020) of service with the NYS Insurance Fund. Trained in Investigations, Interrogation, and NYS OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) Regulations. Voted by members as the Local 002 Union President from 2013 until I retired. As the local president, I oversaw 16 different NYS departments that consisted of over 600 union members during my terms. My journey began with NoMa in November 2024 as a volunteer worker, then voted in as a Board of Directors Member. I enjoy the work I do with NoMa, especially helping the community. I did not realize how many people in the community depend on NoMa for their food and clothing needs, which gives me more incentive to be there as much as possible for the community.
John M. O'Neill
Board Member
John's bio goes here... ...TBD
Staff
Brandy Brown
Executive Director
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY Brandy has always had a deep connection to creativity and community. She is a proud alumna of P.S. 45, Philippa Schuyler Middle School, and the High School of Fashion Industries, where her love for design and expression first took root. After years of working in customer service, a layoff in 2016 became a turning point in her life. Brandy chose to embrace her creative spirit and began exploring new paths. That journey led her to the NoMa Community Center, where she has continued to grow, create, and connect with others who share a passion for artistry and community building. Brandy is also a proud mother of one, and everything she does is inspired by love, resilience, and the belief that it's never too late to follow your passion.
Bryce Reynolds
Director of Operations and Finance
Bryce served as NoMa’s Treasurer from 2022 until early 2025 before being demoted to Executive Director for NoMa's 2025 Fiscal Year. He discovered NoMa while reviewing grant applications submitted to the United Way of Broome County’s Community Impact Councils after being drafted from the United Way’s Emerging Leaders Society to be an Impact Council member. Bryce holds a Master of Science in Finance from the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University, a Bachelor of Science in Management with a Concentration in Finance from Binghamton University’s School of Management, and an Associate of Science in Business Administration from SUNY Broome Community College. He has more than twenty years of operations, project management, financial planning, analysis, and investment management experience, and has worked for a variety of high-tech startups, educational institutions, and financial advisory firms. Additionally, he served as a Certified Mentor with SCORE Greater Binghamton, a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, from 2013 to 2023, where he worked with for-profit businesses and nonprofit organizations, and was the Chapter’s VIce Chair for 2016 and 2017, and Chapter Chair for 2018. Prior to all of these adventures, he was a NoMa resident, taxi driver, and high school dropout who never finished the ninth grade.
Julia Stanley
Binghamton Food Rescue
Julia's bio goes here... ...TBD
