About 50 college students are spending part of their summer trying to make a difference on some real issues and problems facing Syracuse. Mercy Works runs the Synergy program using the students' energy and ideas to help the city's most needy. Students hold five events Friday based on needs that came up in the United Way's annual report
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
- “Back On Track”: Hosted by Synergy’s Yellow Dynasty Team. Designed to help Syracuse’s homeless, ages 16-24. This team will be offering workshops that provide the necessary resources to gain independence and employability. Event will run from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at the Educational Opportunity Center, 100 New Street in Syracuse.
- “Digital Divide”: Hosted by Synergy’s Innovative Orange Team. Bringing awareness and relief to communities where children are at an academic disadvantage due to inaccessibility to technology. Event will run from 10:00am to 4:00pm at the South West Community Center, 401 South Ave in Syracuse. Event include a day full of computer training games, science experiments, math basketball, raffles and more; for children ages 8-10.
- “Walk the Stage”: Hosted by Synergy’s Mega Nine Team. This movement addresses the declining graduation rates among high school students in Syracuse. Workshops include guest speakers that will counsel students and secure a plan that will ensure their success! Event will run from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central, 258 E. Adams Street in Syracuse.
- “It Takes a Village To Raise A Child”: Hosted by Synergy’s Bluetooth Team. This team’s goal is to raise awareness of child care options for working parents in Syracuse. Keynote speakers include: Headstart, Child Care Solutions, Contact Community Services, and the Boys and Girls Club. Activities include: sack race, tug of war and much more! Event will run from 11:00am to 3:00pm at Bellevue Heights United Methodist Church, 2112 S. Geddes Street in Syracuse.
- “Syntrification Through Vision”: Hosted by Synergy’s Green Team. Addressing depression among our at-risk youth is Syntrification’s goal! Realizing that in many cases depression leads to self-harm this full day event will offer healthy alternatives like music therapy, art therapy, yoga and culinary therapy at the North East Community Center, 716 Hawley Avenue in Syracuse and will run from 12:00pm to 5:00pm.
Mercy Works takes applications for the Synergy program, trying to focus on kids that came from Syracuse high schools. The also try and find high achievers who have earned a GPA in college of at least 2.8.