Rearch shows that early education provides short-term and long-term benefits for children It’s time to register your 4-year-old for pre-kindergarten in Syracuse. The Syracuse City School District has received a $1.6 million grant to expand pre-K offerings this coming school year. Two new classrooms are being added to this year’s pre-K budget so more 4-year-olds in the city will have …

South Side native Lazarus Sims strives to restore quality of parks For some on the South Side, a local park is a lot more than a playground. Syracuse has 52 parks across the city, but the South Side is home to Syracuse’s three most spacious parks, including Kirk Park. Funding and resources for the city’s parks have increased in the …

Musician Jeffrey Houston passes away after leading a life filled with love It is said sometimes that the heart is where love resides, but sometimes I think it could be the other way around. “Love is where the heart resides.” I say that because when one heartbeat stopped — the heartbeat of my good friend and musical brother Jeffrey Houston …

The role fatherhood plays in one South Sider’s life

In this Summer Issue, we feature a number of stories that take a look at a comprehensive report published last fall by CNY Fair Housing on the state of housing in Syracuse and Onondaga County. In a special report on a dedicated website — MyHousingMatters.com — students in the Urban Affairs reporting class at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public …

I was so excited to read the first article in the African-American Fathers Series! I commend The Stand for highlighting the black dads of the South Side, many of whom are involved in their children’s lives — or want to be. I am the Family Court Mediator for Onondaga County. My employer, New Justice Conflict Resolution Services, is a not-for-profit …

Following death of wife, South Side man takes on role of single father

‘Tiny’ programs hope to have big impacts Andrew Lunetta couldn’t look more comfortable. He roams the tiny Brady Faith Center, with a cup of coffee in his hand. He greets each person with a smile and when someone starts a conversation, his eyes focus with a look of genuine interest. Lunetta is easily the youngest there, wearing a navy blue …

South Side Newspaper Project Reflects on Five Years

Workers describe difficulties making ends meet on minimum wages When Cherese Mildrew was a minimum-wage worker in California, she shared a two-bedroom apartment with four other people just to afford rent. At 22, when she moved back to Syracuse, she worked four jobs just to make ends meet. One day she would be restocking shelves at Price Chopper, and the …