Voices

Chief Executive Officer retiring in April from the Southwest Community Center Looking like an art museum, the office of Jesse Dowdell has a heavy African feel, fully decorated with wooden masks and delicate handcrafts. These record the places across Africa where he has traveled over the years. On the wall, pictures hang — full of happy faces. Downstairs, children run …

New WIC food packaging promotes healthy eating in Syracuse Community Sarah is Ashley Sprague’s second child. Her first, little Christopher, died during childbirth in 2010. She’s especially happy, then, to “spoil” Sarah — with healthy foods. “I’m so happy that I finally get to spoil someone,” Sprague said at her home. “I didn’t get a chance to do that with …

On Jan. 26, The Stand held a journalism workshop led by Prof. Steve Davis where two middle school students attended to gain tips and guidance on covering an event — specifically the annual Martin Luther King Community Celebration. Leasia Thompson and Kevin Brunson dedicated their Saturday to putting their new journalism skills to the test by covering this event, conducing …

The dream is alive with the sound of music, which reverberated in the early afternoon of Jan. 26 throughout the gymnasium of Frazer K-8 School at 741 Park Ave. on the Near West Side. About 200 city residents, who gathered for the 28th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration, were treated to an eclectic mix of music ranging from gospel, …

David Rabinowitz, a combat veteran, knew of hardships during his stint in the Army. But now he was on Syracuse’s South Side sleeping every night on a dusty hard floor, without even a blanket or sheet to protect him against the bitter cold. Neither he had a pillow to rest his weary head so he improvised his backpack as a …

For Lt. Keith Muhammad, learning about preventing fires is the best way to avoid injury. So, about 50 times a year, Muhammad goes to schools, senior centers and churches to teach people the basics of fire safety, which is especially crucial during the holidays. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there is an increased incidence of cooking fires on Thanksgiving, …

A high school student’s gift for performance and vocal ambition drive her to succeed The first time Tonaisa Hurt stood up to sing a solo in front of her church congregation, it was because her mother had slipped her $20 to do so. But her anxiety at performing in public fell by the wayside. Tonaisa has been singing and dancing …

South Side residents stop in to the Southwest Community Center this morning to vote in the 2012 Election.

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 …

Onondaga County probation officer holds annual 5K to raise money for infant burials With the desire and drive to help her community, Linda Donalson has raised money to help more than 200 families pay for the burial of children who die as infants. On Sept. 15, nearly 100 supporters gathered at Sawmill Creek Shelter at Onondaga Lake Park for a …