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Building on last summer's success for Project Y.E.S. Senator Hoffmann has secured another $50,000 grant to help provide summer jobs for young people in Syracuse's inner city. The funding renewal was announced at the Southwest Community Center where the program is administered. |
Youth Employment Services connects qualified young people, ages 17 to 21, with private sector employers and nonprofit agencies in need of summer workers. Senator Hoffmann understands that for many of these young people this will be that all-important "first" job to gain some work experience. As part of the program Senator Hoffmann insisted on one requirement, that the young people interact with the Syracuse Police Department by participating in conflict resolution workshops and accompanying officers on patrol. |
Reverend Sherman Dunmore of the People's AME Zion Church participated in the news conference saying, "We must build our community for change and this means Social Capital must be given back to our youth ... Our friend Senator Hoffmann's commitment to the community is building Social Capital and making a difference for social change." Reverend Dunmore is President of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Ten Point Program to combat juvenile violence, a program which has also received a grant from Senator Hoffmann. For more information on the Ten Point Program call, 315-477-9749. |
"The City of Syracuse youth are fortunate to have Senator Hoffmann representing their needs. This funding will be added to the effort of the Mayor's Intervention Task Force work initiatives to provide needed jobs for youth this summer. Senator Hoffmann continues to be a strong and effective advocate for the City of Syracuse in Albany," said Syracuse Mayor Matthew Driscoll. Last summer the $50,000 grant for Project Y.E.S. was stretched by help from businesses in the community and 43 young people were placed in jobs. Many were invited to continue on in those jobs after the program ended. In one case, the owners of Gifford West Pharmacy helped their student employee with tuition at Onondaga Community College. STUDENT PERSPECTIVES |
Joshua Martin - "I would like to extend a very special thank you to Senator Hoffmann, Officer Fowler, Mr. Dowdell, Mayor Driscoll and everyone else who has made the Y.E.S Program possible! Senator Hoffmann's hard work has given the inner city youth of Syracuse the opportunity to gain work experience and also earn good money! I am very greatful for what she has done and she deserves a lot of credit as do the other names mentioned above for making her idea come true! I'm also greatful for the opportunity to be back again this year, I'm hoping to make this year even better than last year! The experience I gain from my everyday actions on the job are just a start for what I have planned for the future! Once again I want to say Thank You for allowing me to be involved and help make the Y.E.S Program a success!" |
Nyisha Carter (l)- "Working with the police academy is a great experience, it shows youth that police can be there for you not just to protect you but just there. It gives you and insight of how things are done and what police officers go through every day. Another resource program for the youth should be working with the judicial system to see how the law really works." Carshena Williams (r) - "I want to thank Senator Hoffmann for her care and concern for the community youth. Her help has given African American youth the opportunity for success. This program has helped my analytical, communication, and etiquette skills. This job has also enhanced my inner person to be well rounded by taking on a job as an Administrative Assistant with a degree in science. Thank you for the opportunity." |
"Project Y.E.S. is about jobs and responsible citizenship. I am pleased that Sgt. Frank Fowler leads the police interaction with the young people to teach them responsible citizenship. His workshops are exciting to watch as he draws the young men and women into various scenarios showing them how quickly innocent reactions can lead to potential violence. He also arranges a "ride along" for each young person through officers in CAMP 415 so they see what the police have to deal with in Syracuse communities," said Senator Hoffmann. CAMP 415 stands for Community Association of Minority Police and 415 honors the memory of slain Syracuse Police Officer Wallie Howard. It was his badge number. |
Chanel Hicks, a Y.E.S. particpant, also participated in Senator Hoffmann's 2003 Civil Rights Connection Trip to Mississippi and Louisiana to learn first hand how the strategy of non-violence brought about major social change in the United States. |
(l-r) Senator Hoffmann, Mayor Matthew Driscoll, Southwest Community Center CEO Jesse Dowdell. |
(l-r) Dave White, Senator Hoffmann's staff; Reporter Allessandra Mesore, WSYR Radio; and Videographer Craig McDowell, WSTM Channel 3. |
Michael Benny of WTVH 5 interviewed Senator Hoffmann after the news conference at the Southwest Community Center. Benny worked at WBNG-TV in Binghamton prior to coming to Syracuse. He studied journalism at American University in Washington D.C. |
The Southwest Community Center offers a variety of programs and services to the surrounding community. A gymnasium, computer lab and swimming pool are all avaliable for public use. |
Other services and programs offered by the Southwest Community Center are: homework club, basketball leagues for all ages, swimming lessons, arts and crafts, playground, and much more. For more information call 474-6823. |