A local organization focused on citizen engagement recently marked its 25th anniversary.
FOCUS Greater Syracuse works to facilitate, educate and elevate community voices, says program manager Alicia Ernest.
“It is all about the community. We are completely citizen-centered," Ernest said. "So everything that we do comes from the community and their input and the things that are most important to them."
FOCUS publishes reports based on this input. The organization, which stands for Forging Our Community’s United Strength, also provides monthly public forums and a Citizens Academy. And it celebrates leaders with its annual Wisdom Keeper Celebration. In October, Mary Nelson, president and CEO of the Mary Nelson Youth Center, along with Stan Linhorst, a former editor with Syracuse.com and The Post-Standard, will be honored.
The next FOCUS forum takes place noon Friday.
“It is with Mayor Ben Walsh," Ernest said. "And will be a conversation on the budget and how it's transforming the city.”
To register for the virtual conversation, click here.