Staff Spotlight: Walter Walker

Meet Walter K. Walker III, one of Mercy Works’ incredible program facilitators. Born in Syracuse, NY, 33-year-old Walter Walker graduated from Henninger High School and went on to receive his Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Onondaga Community College. Walter was called to bring his business-minded expertise to give back to his community and facilitate #FRESH (First Real Entrepreneurship Starts Here).

Walter grew up like every other kid in Syracuse, trying to avoid the pitfalls the city can have for you. “I believe that’s what called me to #FRESH – I was like most of our kids that signed up just looking for guidance and exposure to a better side of life.”

This summer, 31 high school students completed #FRESH. College students are not the only ones seeking substantial work experience and leadership training. #FRESH helps self-motivated high schoolers develop excellent work skills, fine-tune and build their resume, and develop great work etiquette. 


Walter led #FRESH students through discussions of personal development, financial literacy, mental health awareness, career path choices, and how to navigate today’s changing world. In the five years of #FRESH, the program has grown its size and curriculum to expose more and more young adults to new thoughts and ideas. Walter said, “We talk, we laugh, we learn, and we challenge our current mindsets. #FRESH is a family.”

You can learn more about #FRESH at https://www.vcsyracuse.com/fresh.

Now more than ever, we are looking for instructors to join Walter in shaping the young minds of our future leaders.  We are currently seeking facilitators for 2 programs in early 2024:

1) iCan Robotics

This 5-week interactive, project-based program offers students the opportunity to use educational robotics to develop motor and cognitive skills through robot building.

  • January 22, 2024 - February 28, 2024

  • Graduation March 1, 2024

  • Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  • Students 5th-8th grade

2) CSD Code

This 5-week course takes a wide lens on computer science inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, games, and physical computing devices. 

  • March 18, 2024 - April 17, 2024

  • Graduation April 19, 2024

  • Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30pm – 7:30pm

  • Students 5th-8th grade

Interested in learning more or applying as an instructor? Contact Mercy Works Program Director, Nati Torrence, at ncabrera@mercy-works.org.

Nati Torrence