Parents make a difference by getting involved with dance program For Akilah Cage, a former South Side resident who runs a dance program for youth citywide, support from the parents of her young students has made all the difference in the success of her work. “With parental involvement, it allows the kids to feel just as good as they do …

Viccarra Coker cares for mothers and their children in drug court Viccarra Coker, a 31-year-old licensed practical nurse from the South Side, says all she has ever wanted to do was help people in her community. So when a program began seeking someone who could link young mothers in drug court with medical services for their children, Coker knew the …

Central New York’s first free clinic to receive the state health authorities’ stamp of approval will open for patients on the South Side Nov. 3, its founders say. The Rahma Free Clinic, at 3100 S. Salina St., will initially be open two days a week, said Magda Bayoumi, who originated the idea for the project with her husband, Mohamed Khater. …

Educational Opportunity Center to benefit from grant that will provide digital services The Educational Opportunity Center, which teaches basic professional skills, may be “one of the best-kept secrets in Syracuse,” in the words of a Le Moyne College official who works there. But the center, at 100 New St., may soon become better known. Le Moyne will use half of …

Undergraduate staff reporter Tyler Greenawalt and graduate photography student Taylor Baucom worked together to contribute the Cover Story for the upcoming issue. Both appeared on WCNY’s “Reith” Show Tuesday, Oct. 30. November’s cover story spotlights Akilah Cage the creator of the Young and Talented Performing Arts Kompany. Her program works to bring parents and their children together.

Families Don Costumes for Beauchamp Library’s Fifth annual Halloween Spooktacular As the doors open to the second floor of Beauchamp Branch Library, groups of families dressed as superheroes, fairies and goblins quickly march through to see what’s waiting for them. One mother has two little hands tightly clutching her, the young boys obviously a combination of excited and nervous about …

One man takes his mission to end violence in his neighborhood to the corner of West Colvin Bernard Cannon is no stranger to violence. His mother was shot and murdered in front of him when he was 10 years old. In the 30 years since her death, he has witnessed many families torn apart by senseless violence. Watching adults peek …

National contest targets 10 regions across the U.S. The National Family Partnership (NFP) announces the national contest for its 27th annual Red Ribbon Week, Oct. 23-31. Red Ribbon Week is the oldest and largest drug prevention campaign in the country. In 1985 after the murder of a DEA agent, parents, youth and teachers in communities across the country began wearing …

Community theater provides family-friendly atmosphere for audience CJ Young, who returned in September as artistic director of Appleseed Productions, said the South Side theater company he helped found 19 years ago has gotten bigger and more ambitious. “It has changed a lot and grown considerably — the number of productions in production, the volunteer artists that act and design,” he …

This Saturday, The South Side Newspaper Project will offer a twist on the usual journalism workshop when we let readers go Behind the Scenes of The Stand. This free event is offered from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 20, at the South Side Communication Center located at 2331 S. Salina St. Syracuse University reporting students will share how they …