Community Voices

Hear from Chayna Short, founder of Women Overcoming Obstacles Together, about how her transformative experiences with The Leadership Classroom (TLC) and our Participatory Grantmaking project provided her with guidance to develop, strengthen and grow her organization.

Hear from Jamie Hagenbuch, program manager, Mental Health First Aid at the Madison County Rural Health Council, as she shares how Mental Health First Aid training is enhancing support for youth in rural communities facing mental health challenges.

Katie Weaver, director of development of A Tiny Home for Good, explains how A Tiny Home for Good contributes to neighborhood revitalization through a housing solution that addresses the pressing need for affordable homes in the City of Syracuse’s distressed neighborhoods.

Monu Chhetri, founder & CEO of Deaf New American Advocacy, Inc. explains how her participation in Resilia has been crucial to the success of her organization.

Mike Nash, president at KS&R and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how he saw the positive impact of Book Buddies after only a few month volunteering for the program.

Jacob Gedetsis, founder and director of Write Out and lecturer and coordinator of the Writing Resource Center at SUNY ESF, chronicles his transformative journey through The Leadership Classroom.

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her experience reading to children in the Syracuse City School District has become the best part of her week.