Education, Support & Community for New & Aspiring Vegans
SYRACUSE VEGAN LIVING PROGRAM
The Syracuse Vegan Living Program is switching it up this year with an exciting series of educational events to support and educate new and aspiring vegans! These events will cover the hows and whys of living vegan, including the ethical and environmental considerations of veganism, vegan nutrition, cooking, meal planning, and living vegan in a not-yet-vegan world.
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There will not be a Pledge/Coach component to this series.
These events are free and open to everyone, so be sure to join our email list to stay updated!​
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Questions? Contact the Syracuse VLP organizers at: syracusevlp@gmail.com
Vegan Living Program Monthly Series
February 15, March 22, April 19, May 17 and June 21 2025
At Marcellus Free Library
SESSION ONE - Saturday, February 15, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Introduction to Veganism & Cooking Demonstration
Held at Marcellus Free Library, 32 Maple St, Marcellus, NY 13108
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Welcome with Syracuse Vegan Living Program organizers, Shelly Bornemann and Emily Doucet, followed by an Introduction to Veganism presentation by Jim Thompson, organizer of the Syracuse Vegan Living Program and director of Vegan CNY Foodshare. Afterward, Dan Williamson will give a cooking demo that demonstrates how to make simple, delicious, and nutrition-packed black bean tacos with smoky potatoes, purple cabbage-slaw, and cilantro-lime crema (and YES, there will be samples!)​
Registration has closed
SESSION TWO - Saturday March 22, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Vegan Nutrition & Cooking Demonstration
Held at Marcellus Free Library, 32 Maple St, Marcellus, NY 13108
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Vegan Nutrition with board certified oncologist, Dr. Steven Duffy. Where do you get your protein? Is soy bad for you? Learn about healthy, vegan nutrition and get your questions answered. Dr. Duffy will speak about the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and provide data pertaining to health and nutrition.
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Registration has closed
SESSION THREE - Saturday April 19, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Veganism and the Environment & Cooking Demonstration
Held at Marcellus Free Library, 32 Maple St, Marcellus, NY 13108
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Veganism and the Environment presentation by Jacqueline Capello, Environmentalist and a presenter at the CNY Youth Climate Summit held at The College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). She is also a recipient of a Plant Based Nutrition Certificate from Cornell’s Center for Nutrition Studies. After Jacqueline’s presentation, she will do a cooking demo using fresh and accessible ingredients the entire family will enjoy.​
Registration has closed
SESSION FOUR - Saturday May 17, 12:30 - 2:00pm
Vegan Health & Fitness
Held at Marcellus Free Library, 32 Maple St, Marcellus, NY 13108
Vegan Fitness presentation by Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Ben Rayland. “Coach Ben” has 20+ years experience as a coach and trainer. ​Then, Stefanie Heath-Reinhert, founder of Cuse Pit Crew, will be doing a cooking demo. She will be making sunflower butter chia oatmeal cups for breakfast and a vegan power bowl that can be served for lunch.
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Register at: bit.ly/svlp2025​
SESSION FIVE - Saturday June 21st, 1:00 - 3:00pm
Animal Sanctuary Tour
Location TBD
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Afternoon trip to an animal sanctuary (location TBD) where attendees will meet the animals and learn about their personal stories. ​​
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​Please Note: ​
Sessions held at Marcellus Free Library are free.
Vegan Living Program educational content is not meant to be construed as health advice, or take the place of a consultation with a medical professional.
​Attendance indicates acceptance that participants may be photographed or filmed while participating in these events. We will make our best effort to ask attendees if they mind having their photo taken.
Healthy Cooking on a Budget Cooking Demo
Saturday May 3rd
At Petit Branch Library
Delicious, nutritious plant-based eating doesn't have to cost a fortune! In fact, a vegan diet can save your family up to $1200 a year at the grocery store compared to an omnivore diet! Let Jacqueline Cappello of the Syracuse Vegan Living Program show you how to create nutrient-packed meals that the whole family will love, using simple, affordable ingredients. Jacqueline will be joined by Crystal Allen, who will demonstrate how to make a decadent but deceptively simple dessert using coconut cream and fresh fruit! Attendees will receive several recipes and practical cooking tips, as well as some tasty samples! This class is free, but registration is required.
Register by Saturday, April 26: https://onlib-central.libcal.com/event/14337543
Speaker Bios:
Shelly Bornemann
Syracuse VLP Organizer
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Shelly began attending animal rights events in the mid-2000s. She’s participated in vivisection, circus, factory farming, and anti-fur demos organized by local grassroot organizations. She’s donated time to help local animal sanctuaries with cleaning stalls and other labor. She was the Volunteer Coordinator at the 2019 Syracuse Vegfest. During that time, she also participated in Vegan CNY’s Food Share, cooking and serving lunch for anyone needing it.
Currently Shelly is focusing on vegan education and support by co-organizing her fourth Syracuse Vegan Living Program. Her passions include taking endless photos of her fur-kids, Betty, Polly, Xander and Otis, creating vegan dishes to share with friends and family to show how easy and delicious vegan cooking is, nature walks, gardening, and renovating her home with her fiancé, Dave. She also works at a local credit union where she’s on the Environmental Advocacy Team and a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee.
Emily Doucet
Syracuse VLP Organizer
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Emily has been volunteering with homeless cats and dogs at local animal shelters since 2001, and currently volunteers at Second Chance Canine Adoption Shelter in Jamesville, and assists with social media and marketing for Cuse Pit Crew, a pit bull advocacy group in Syracuse. She made the connection between the companion animals she was advocating for and farmed animals in 2012, and has been happily vegan ever since!
Emily was a vegan coach at the 2018 Syracuse Vegan Living Program, and a co-organizer in 2019, 2023, and 2024.
She currently works at the Fayetteville Library, and as a mentor at Advocates Inc. She lives with her partner Dan, and their menagerie of 4 rescue cats and 1 special needs rescue dog. When she's not working or volunteering, Emily loves reading, mushroom hunting, hiking, swimming and taste-testing (and posting on Instagram) all the fabulous vegan food created by Dan!
Jim Thompson
Syracuse VLP Organizer
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Jim currently serves on the board of Vegan CNY, where he has been involved with organizing Syracuse Vegfest, coordinating the weekly Vegan Food Share program, tabling local events, and generally spreading the word on vegan living. He was a vegan coach for the Syracuse VLP back in 2018, and is excited to be co-organizing a VLP for the second time. Jim lives with his wife, two vegan kids, and pit mix Ringo. When he's not volunteering with Vegan CNY, he works for the state as a Vocational Counselor and trains for marathons in an attempt to prove that he's not really 50.
Dan Williamson
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Dan Williamson is a Syracuse transplant. Originally from Texas, he moved to the area for his medical residency. He has been cooking since age 5, and with a background in anthropology and interest in other cultures, particularly their connections with food. Because of this he loves to explore flavors and tries to figure out ways to recreate vegan versions of just about any food he comes across.
He made the switch to vegetarianism in college as he explored different cultures and their relationship with their environment, and went fully vegan as he learned more and more about the impact of industrial farming on both the environment and the animals involved. During his medical training he was frustrated with the lack of information about food and diet that he actually received and started researching the balance between food and health on his own.
He currently lives with his fiancé and their menagerie of 4 cats and a dog. They often spend weekends hiking and foraging for mushrooms that he incorporates into dishes.
Dr. Steven Duffy
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Dr. Steven Duffy is a hematologist and oncologist at the VA Medical Center in Syracuse. He is a board certified physician in internal medicine, hematology, and medical oncology. He will speak about the health benefits of a plant-based diet, and provide data pertaining to health and nutrition.
Jacqueline Cappello
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Jacqueline Cappello is a passionate environmentalist who was an Energy Auditor and solar industry Project Manager in New York City, before relocating to South Onondaga and eventually homeschooling her son.
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In 2018, after learning that animal agriculture was causing global biodiversity loss & species extinction and realizing she could no longer reconcile being an animal lover while simultaneously eating animals who needlessly suffered, Jacqueline –against every German meat- and dairy-loving bone in her body– started stepping away from animal products.
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Jacqueline’s husband and son also stepped onto the plant-based, whole-food path in 2019, and the family became collectively and measurably healthier. The best gift of all: their son who had suffered from failure-to-thrive launched right out of that diagnosis and continues to flourish.
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Lit up with how important vegan feasting is for sustainability, the lives of others, and the health of ourselves and kin, in 2021 she received her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate through Cornell’s Center For Nutrition Studies. She now pairs her zeal for environmentalism with her love of food, nutrition, and animals.
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Jacqueline and her son offer free coaching, cooking demonstrations, and talks to help folks learn the beneficial ripple effects of eating sustainably, healthfully, and compassionately.
Ben Rayland
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Rampage Strength and Conditioning is owned and operated by Ben Rayland, CSCS, affectionately known in the community as “Coach Ben”. We specialize in Sports Performance and Fitness & Strength for all ages.
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“Coach Ben” Rayland has 20+ years of experience as a coach and trainer. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Ben is also a Certified Level 1 Coach with USA Track & Field and a Certified Sports Performance Coach with USA Weightlifting. Ben is a father of five who resides in Fayetteville with his family and is a proud member of the Central New York community.
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Coach Ben understands that adapting new fitness habits is difficult, so he thrives on making it fun! His goal is to change your view on fitness, so that it becomes a part of who you are and your lifestyle. He strongly believes that if you practice healthy habits, you will be able to obtain a healthy lifestyle.
Stefanie Heath-Reinhert
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In 2011, Stefanie Heath-Reinher co-founded Cuse Pit Crew to challenge the stigma faced by pit bull-type dogs. The mission was—and continues to be—about more than just changing perceptions; it’s about getting to the root of the issue through community engagement and education. She's worked with local animal advocates, legislators, media, and community leaders to spark real, ground-level change.In addition to her work in advocacy, Stefanie worked in the food service space to help companies add more delicious plant-based meal options to their menus—bringing more humane and sustainable choices to the table.
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Today, Stefanie work for a large animal protection organization where she advocates for positive, lasting change for animals nationwide through legislative lobbying and policy reform. When she's not working, you’ll find Stefanie exploring with her husband, two kids, and rescue pups, Chase and Luigi. They've recently started fostering dogs—and soon kittens!—which has been both a hoot and deeply rewarding.
"I recommend this excellent program to anyone who is interested in learning more about the vegan perspective. The presentations are informative and practical. Myths are dispelled here. Yes, it is possible to get enough protein on a vegan diet, and vegan food can be delicious! More importantly, people who care about the impact they have on their fellow beings, and on the environment, come together to explore the possibilities for change."
~ Pamela Kenley-Meschino
Vegan Living Program participant, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
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