Volunteers support women throughout pregnancy, during birth and beyond Imagine sitting in a bed in a delivery room all alone. Maybe you don’t speak the same language as your doctors. Maybe you’re 18 years old and scared, giving birth to your first child with no one to support you. For too many women in Syracuse, this is a reality. “You …

Two business starters share their success stories Two entrepreneurs, from distinct walks of life, talked about their experiences starting their own businesses at the South Side Innovation Center Saturday, Nov. 21. Saquan Lewis, born and raised on Syracuse’s South Side, started his clothing line, Team Les Go, in order to fund his goal of turning his first novel, “Dangerous Hood …

Beauchamp Branch Library engages kids with educational activities

Organization wants to implement ‘conflict transformation’ initiative A South Side organization has decided on strong marching orders toward its ambitious goal of establishing systemic change to combat youth violence in Syracuse neighborhoods. Members of the organization — the ACTS Community Violence Task Force — say they want to move beyond merely resolving conflicts and instead focus on transforming the South …

One-on-one sessions strive to improve Seymour Academy students’ reading levels During Isaac Osei-Bobie’s first session as a Book Buddy, he had to chase 6-year-old Julio Pinet Jr. around the Seymour Dual Language Academy library and persuade him to settle down long enough to finish his lunch and complete reading his sight words. Although it was just the first session, Osei-Bobie …

Ardena Harvey decides to tell her story to help others and herself move forward in life

The November cover features King Nazir Leon — “Baby King” — who is in need of a bone marrow transplant. Several registry drives have been held, but still no match. The challenge? Race is a major factor in finding a match, and only 7 percent of registered donors are African-American. The Stand’s director Ashley Kang has been on the registry …

Community members rally for baby who needs a bone marrow donor

Community members of all ages work to revitalize a McKinley Park Children sank shovels into the earth and tossed dirt onto tarps. The sound of laughter and spattering soil filled the air. “You guys are doing great!” Diane Cooter, a member of a McKinley Park supporters group, yelled out as the children stomped dirt down at the base of freshly …

For the Eighth annual Halloween Spooktacular, Beauchamp Branch Library provided a safe environment for children to dress up, play games and take pictures. Christine Richie, a library staff member, was the coordinator for the Oct. 29 event, and said that this year she added a larger variety of games. Richie enlisted the help of friends and regular library patrons to …