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August 29, 2007
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Major investment will help more students achieve high school graduation
SCSD, Wegmans, and Excellus BCBS invest in combined Hillside and Syracuse Choice programs.
Syracuse, NY–August 29, 2007 - Two well-known local companies and the Syracuse City School District today announced they are investing $300,000 to boost fundraising efforts that will aid the expansion of the newly combined Syracuse Choice and Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection programs.
The two programs, which have a similar mission to provide support services to students at risk of dropping out of high school, will serve 180 students from the city school district during the upcoming school year.
To lead this expansion effort, Hillside Family of Agencies President and CEO, Dennis M. Richardson announced that former Syracuse Choice Executive Director Wayne O’Connor has been appointed Executive Director of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection-Syracuse. In this role, he will leverage the experience of both programs to improve the city’s high school graduation rates.
“Wayne O’Connor is the ideal choice to lead these programs. Since 1996, when Hillside assumed the management responsibility for what was Wegmans Work-Scholarship Connection, we have been proud to honor their legacy by continuing to invest significant resources in the lives of SCSD students and their families. Wayne will play the key leadership role in continuing to manage our resources.”
“Choice and HW-SC models are very similar. Both have a strong history of success within the Syracuse City School District, and both employ school-based youth advocates who work closely with their students to help them overcome challenges and graduate,” says O’Connor.
The majority of the new funding ($200,000) is coming from the Syracuse City School District, and Excellus BlueCrossBlueShield is initially adding $20,000, while Wegmans has already been supplying $80,000 annually. Additionally, The Gifford Foundation has previously contributed $20,000.
“These significant investments build upon the foundation firmly established by Congressman James Walsh in 2006 when he committed $300,000 to support Syracuse Choice,” says O’Connor.
According to Syracuse City School Superintendent Dan Lowengard, the two programs have been “successful in reducing our serious dropout rates. New funding is critical for program expansion. Both programs have a proven track record and by working together they will reach more students in an effective and efficient manner.”
The success of the programs in turning around the city’s dropout rate has proven a good investment for businesses.
“We are making a wise business decision to invest in programs that result in graduation. As a legacy supporter of Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, Wegmans has provided part-time jobs and funds since its inception in 1993,” says Shari Constantine, Wegmans Vice President of the Syracuse Division.
Marianne Ferris, Community & Regional Affairs Director of Excellus BlueCrossBlueShield stated “For us, this is an ideal partnership. We are investing in the futures of inner city students and increasing the likelihood of a qualified workforce for the future.”
According to O’Connor, an additional $150,000 needs to be raised from the private sector to generate further expansion.
Local commercial real estate executive, Gary Pickard, will lead the fundraising efforts.
About Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection
Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, founded in 1987 by Robert and Danny Wegman,
is an affiliate of Hillside Family of Agencies. Hillside is a family and
children services organization that provides child welfare, mental health, youth
development, juvenile justice, special education, and developmental disabilities
services across Central and Western New York.
Hillside Family of Agencies is comprised of affiliates Crestwood Children’s Center, Crestwood Children’s Foundation, Hillside Children’s Center, Hillside Children’s Foundation, and Snell Farm Children’s Center.
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