Greater Syracuse HOPE

03/31/2021

It is with tremendous gratitude and pride that I write to share that Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E. is entering into its Fourth Phase. The current phase with my tenure as Executive Director ends March 31, 2021, and prepares the initiative to spend down any remaining Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative dollars.

Three years ago a stunning report named Syracuse as #1 in the U.S. in concentrated poverty among Blacks and Latinos. The community did not accept that narrative and galvanized. Each of us came together to support a grassroots movement that centered Syracuse residents in the fight against poverty.

Syracuse, thank you for your willingness and commitment to having challenging community conversations around concentrated poverty; identifying and working toward equitable and sustainable community partnerships; and coming back time and time again with the purpose of trying to reset the course for our community.

As the only executive director of the initiative, I knew coming in that this was an opportunity to do as much as we can as a city before the end date. The journey has left me with more pride in the people of our city and the work we have done. I am deeply proud of the participation of community members who courageously shared their experiences and stakeholders who were willing to listen and honestly admit to flaws within our systems of service. Although the initiative is closing out, the work continues.

Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E. was an important step in our community reimagining what Syracuse could become—a city that respects the lives, resilience, and stories of people experiencing poverty by moving barriers out of their way. We can never stop being hopeful. Therefore, my last request to all of you is to leave a comment below as to what you HOPE the future will bring for Syracuse.

I have learned a tremendous amount and will be forever changed because of this once in a lifetime experience!

Farewell and Best wishes,

Ocesa B. Keaton, L.M.S.W.

03/31/2021

Thank you to the Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E. community for your commitment to addressing concentrated poverty in our city.

Take a quick look back at some highlights of the initiative over the years:

03/30/2021

Poverty is a set of conditions that anyone at any time can experience. However, it is not the whole experience of a person.

If there is a moral failing to be identified within the discussion of poverty it is the moral failing of systems and not people who are experiencing the condition.

03/30/2021

03/30/2021

H.O.P.E.’s strategic interventions worked to impact systems and create opportunities. We’re grateful for the community that helped us create programs to address concentrated poverty in our city.

03/30/2021

Thank you to our former Community Engagement intern, Keturah Cochren-Albright!

03/30/2021

The thoughts and ideas of community members were crucial in charting the path forward. Every decision was made with community input…

03/30/2021

"...That's the driving factor of Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E.: The people of Syracuse."

Learn more about the vision of H.O.P.E.:

03/29/2021

Poverty is often a topic that is oversimplified and attempted to be addressed in a silo-style approach. Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E. used a multi-layered approach to tackle the ever-moving target of concentrated poverty.

03/29/2021

What was the original vision of H.O.P.E.?

Learn more about the vision and ideas behind the initiative:

03/28/2021

Thank you to Rasheada Caldwell, founder of Let Me Be Great #44, for your dedication to Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E. and your work creating opportunities for families and young people throughout our city.

03/28/2021

The work of healing communities starts and ends with the people who have experienced the harm.

Policies that are not centered around and not created with the voice of those impacted will always cause harm.