08/12/2026
Last week, Fired Up for Youth, Inc. proudly hosted its 3rd Annual Flames of Hope fundraiser at Harvey’s Garden! We extend a heartfelt thank you to Assemblywoman Pam Hunter for securing two $3,000 scholarships for our deserving seniors, Zani Brown and Jaylen Barnett-Hunter.
Congratulations to our distinguished awardees!
Tayonda Estrada received the “Spark of Support” award for her exceptional dedication as a Jet Blue Representative. Tayonda went above and beyond in assisting us with our flight arrangements, ensuring a smooth experience for everyone involved.
La’Tasha Luckie, honored as the “Courageous Contributor” and named Parent Volunteer of the Year, has been an invaluable asset to our organization. As the owner of Luckie Travel, La’Tasha played a crucial role in coordinating our travel arrangements, making everything easier for our team.
Niara McIntyre was recognized as the “Ember of Excellence” and awarded Mentor of the Year. Niara has generously volunteered her time to support the Fired Up for Youth program, stepping in as needed to guide and inspire our youth.
We are grateful for the contributions of these remarkable individuals and their commitment to our mission!
This summer, each student participating in our internship program earned up to a $550 stipend and received a custom book bag filled with essential school supplies. Additionally, all graduating seniors were awarded an extra $500 scholarship!
These achievements were made possible by the dedication of our students and the generous support of our sponsors. Our popcorn fundraiser was a tremendous success, generating nearly $20,000 in sales. We celebrated our top ten sellers with gift cards and medals for their outstanding efforts.
Lastly, we would like to express our gratitude to our sponsors: Harvey’s Garden, CNY Community Foundation, Syracuse Housing Authority, Syracuse EOC, and the parents of Fired Up for Youth. Thank you for your continued support in empowering our youth!
