2023 Mercy Works Year-End Appeal

As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that have defined the past 12 months at Mercy Works. In the face of unprecedented events in our city and across the globe, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to create positive change and foster a brighter future for our next generation of leaders.

After almost five decades of economic and population decline, our region is now on the brink of immense investment and growth. Billions of dollars are being invested in projects that will drive the development of new technologies and bring thousands of jobs to our region:

  • Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo won a nationwide competition to become 1 of 31 national tech hubs eligible for a share of up to $10 billion in federal aid to stimulate investment in new technologies (Weiner, 2023).

  • Micron Technology plans to invest up to $100 billion over 20 years in computer chip manufacturing in Syracuse’s northern suburbs (Weiner, 2023).

  • Micron will employ up to 9,000 people and create up to 40,000 more supply-chain and related jobs (Weiner, 2023).

While this news is exciting, there are troubling realities. Students and families in Syracuse lack the resources to participate in the 21st-century economy. Decades of under-investment and economic disparity have left many neighborhoods in poverty, resulting in unemployment and youth violence. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, particularly impacting our poorest communities.

  • Syracuse has the worst child poverty in the nation among cities with at least 100,000 people at 47% (Tampone, 2022).

  • Syracuse’s child poverty rate of 47% is far higher than the National average of 17% (Tampone, 2022).

  • More than 14,000 children in Syracuse live below the poverty line, which means that nearly ½ of kids under the age of 18 are living in poverty (Moore, 2022).

We don't have to accept these facts as permanent realities. Together, we can change the trajectory of our city and build a future where every young person has the resources to experience their potential. 

For 25 years, at the Clarence Jordan Vision Center, we've worked in the heart of underserved neighborhoods. We've witnessed the incredible potential every young person has within them to succeed if given the resources to identify and develop an authentic vision for their future.

In 2023, our vision-based programs have seen remarkable results in the lives of 175 students. Our Synergy program, a workplace internship initiative for college-bound students, provided jobs and training to 44 students from challenged neighborhoods, demonstrating the power of strategic investment.

The end of the year is not just a time for reflection; it's a crucial moment to come together and make a lasting impact. Now is the time to build on these stories and ensure every young person can fully participate in the region's economic growth. With your year-end donation, we can fund our ambitious goals for 2024 and expand into year-round literacy and personal development programming.

Thank you for considering this crucial appeal. Be a beacon of hope for those who need it most and sign-up to become a monthly donor. Your support is pivotal in making a lasting impact on the lives of the youth in Syracuse. 

References:

Joelle Harleston