Real Life Stories—from the SUNY Upstate Community

LaSonya Griggs supports OnPoint For College

LaSonya Griggs was working at a community college when she first encountered the unique students served by Syracuse’s OnPoint for College, a grassroots college access program. Griggs helped OnPoint enroll five young political refugees from Cuba in an English as a Second Language program. She remembers asking herself, “How are they going to make it in this country? They don’t speak or read English. They have no money. They’re cut off from their parents.”

With the aid of OnPoint, all five graduated from college and one is now in medical school. “There are many programs to assist traditional students, but OnPoint serves those who don’t fit the mold,” explains Griggs. OnPoint has helped 1800 students enroll in 170 colleges and universities. Ninety-eight percent of these students are the first in their families to attend college.

“And nothing makes me prouder,” Griggs says, “than to meet the OnPoint students who are studying or working at Upstate.”

Elinor Spring-Mills PhD supports Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse

"I am a Literacy Volunteer because I believe that literacy provides vital keys to self-sufficiency and personal fulfillment. I've tutored both adults with basic literacy needs and speakers of other languages. I enjoy my volunteer work so much that I sometimes think the pleasure has been all mine. I hope that more people will decide to support this organization. It doesn't take much to change a life forever."

Literacy Volunteers of Greater Syracuse (LVGS) helps adults in our community who read at or below a 6th grade level and those who are speakers of other languages. Unfortunately, the waiting list for language instruction is long. There aren't enough tutors and funding has decreased as our economy has declined.

In 1962, Ruth Colvin founded Literacy Volunteers here in Syracuse! In 2006, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Her learner-centered model is used in more than 1,200 literacy programs in the United States, India, China, Haiti and Africa.

Joseph Domachowske MD supports Young Life

“We take high school students on volunteer trips to help people in developing countries get basic necessities. Recently, the youth andI worked in a rural area of El Salvador with no electricity, plumbing or clean drinking water. We brought school and medical supplies, built chicken coops and painted the school. I also volunteer at the medical clinic –cleaning wounds and dispensing medications to people who have rarely seen a nurse or doctor. As Young Life volunteers, we pay our own expenses and donate our time. Young Life uses the donations it receives to buy supplies that make our volunteer work possible.”

Mary Jensen MSW supports the March of Dimes

“My son might not be alive today if it weren’t for research funded by the March of Dimes. He was born four weeks premature, with complications. Obviously, I am very, very grateful. At Upstate–thanks to grant support from the March of Dimes –we’ve begun a new program to help reduce the incidence of premature and low-birth-weight babies, and to lower infant mortality in Onondaga County. We provide education and support to at-risk pregnant women who are in the Syracuse Community Treatment Court, and to their children up to to age one. The program is so valued that a judge turned over his office to our program!”

Gustavo de la Roza MD supports the Patricia J. Numann Endowed Chair In Surgery

“To continue to grow in size and stature, ourUniversity needs to increase our endowed chairs, fellowships and scholarships. These programs, and our new facilities, will enableSUNY Upstate to attract –and retain –the best and brightest. These funds also give us the opportunity to honor colleagues –like Dr. Numann –who are nationally prominent and have shaped the clinical and education missions of Upstate Medical University.”

Tree Carter supports the American Heart Association

“The Heart Association’s mission –to support research and education to combat heart disease and stroke –is near and dear to my heart. I lost my beloved mother to congestive heart failure and beloved sister to stroke, both at age 47. I do my best to stay healthy. I eat healthy, exercise and keep my weight in check. I am a team captain for the annual Heart Walk –it’s an opportunity to exercise and to provide financial support for an important cause. It’s important for me to stay healthy,and beat high blood pressure, so I can be here for my children and grandchildren.”

Susan Shaw RN PNP supports Francis House

“I have volunteered at Francis House for ten years. It is a wonderful home where people can experience unconditional love and die with dignity, surrounded by family and friends. I never leave there sad. It is always an enriching experience. Thanks to the time, talent and money of many wonderful people, Francis House has doubled in size and been modernized throughout the facility. It is reaffirming to see the wealth of dedication.”

Dr. Pamela Gramet supports Enable

Enable is a tremendous gift to our community. The agency is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for people with developmental and physical disabilities. They provide services to more than 2,000 Central New Yorkers. One of Enable's greatest strengths is that everyone works hard to help each person achieve his or her highest level of functioning and independence. Unfortunately, funding decreases and cost increases are constant challenges. All around us, we can see that Enable is helping to change lives for the better. I am proud to support Enable and to have been associated with it for close to 30 years

Dr. Susan Stearns supports the Spanish Action League (La Liga)

"La Liga offers many valuable services—employment and housing assistance, for example—but its main mission is to help every Latino child in our community get the solid foundation of a good education. It’s a safe haven for children to play and learn. But, rising costs may challenge even basic services like field trips and safe transportation between La Liga’s programs and the children's homes. I’m proud that our medical students have volunteered at the agency, but we can do more to support La Liga's invaluable work".

Chris Monahan RN supports the Burn Fund for Patients

"People can lose everything to a fire. Our burn center patients have scars—inside and out—and this fund helps pay for "small" things that are a big help in their recovery and rebuilding. Our funds go directly where they are most needed—to pay for a phone card so a patient can stay in touch with loved ones, a conference so that a widowed survivor can connect with others who share her loss, and a safe water heater for a family whose child was accidentally scalded".

Robin Wensel—Supports the Burn Fund for Patients

Each summer, 20 to 25 of our burn survivor kids go to a camp especially for young burn patients. The fund helps ensure that every child who wants to go, goes... and that takes money. Our hospital staff volunteer at the camp and local firefighters help with transportation, meals and fundraising. The camp is a joyful, empowering place. Each one of these kids has endured greater hardship and pain than most anyone would experience in a lifetime. I am completely inspired to see these kids so happy and to see their confidence build. Everybody has some type of "scars but working with these amazing kids truly reminds us all that it's what's on the inside that matters.

Leola Rodgers—Supports OnPoint for College, Inc.

OnPoint for College helps local young people make the transition from street smart to college smart. In six years, OnPoint has worked with more than 800 students, and 75 percent of them are still in college or have graduated...that's better than national rates for "typical" college students, and most OnPoint students have faced a lot of obstacles. As a first-generation college student and the mother of a college student, I know what it takes to get into college, stay there and be successful. I'm proud to help OnPoint.

Sue Graham—Supports the Girl Scouts

It's gratifying when troops get together and girls from very different backgrounds meet each other and instantly "bond." Girl Scouts provides a safe haven and empowers young women.

Maxine Thompson—Supports the Dunbar Association

I grew up in the Dunbar Center. It was a safe, caring environment close to home. The services offered by Dunbar — child care, counseling, adoption, educational and recreational activities — have grown over the years and are increasingly important to African American families.

Just ask my family: four generation have enjoyed spending time at "their" Dunbar Center!

Mike Garver—Supports the YMCA

Today, not only does the YMCA provide an affordable fitness facility in our community, the YMCA offers values-centered family programming and provides shelter to those who cannot afford housing.

Lori Grabowski—Supports The CNY Children's Hospital at University Hospital

"As a pediatric nurse — and the mother of children with disabilities — I know how much our community needs The CNY Children's Hospital. We do a great job now, but to have the services in one place specially designed for kids will be a dream come true for thousands of caregivers, parents...and kids."

Ray Mingo—Supports the Rescue Mission

"Anyone can hit hard times. The Rescue Mission is here to help you get back on your feet. If you need food, they'll feed you; clothes, they'll clothe you; shelter, they'll give you a bed. The Mission will even get you back in school if you need to finish your education."

Gregory Canute, MD—Supports ARISE

"Our son was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a muscular disease which requires him to use a walker with braces or a wheelchair. With the services of ARISE, he enjoys skiing, swimming, horseback riding, baseball and much more."

Mike Sheldon—Supports Transitional Living Services

"I have a close family member who suffers from depression. Mental illness is a lifelong problem which often interferes with daily living. Transitional Living Services has helped us both in difficult times. TLS is a valuable resource that needs our support."

Judy Kishtok—Supports Francis House

"Francis House provides people with terminal illnesses a family-like setting filled with love, dignity and compassion. Francis House helps people when they need it the most. That is why they have my support and I ask for yours."

Maryann Fields—Supports the American Lung Association

"My mom was only 50 when she passed away from COPD ó a severe form of emphysema. I support the American Lung Association because they help others who would benefit from research, medical care and transplants. Your contribution is critical."

Jim Greenwald, MD—Supports the Rescue Mission Family Medicine

"As soon as I began practicing family medicine, I saw patients who were overwhelmed by life's difficulties. I hope to make a difference by volunteering at the Rescue Mission, and by increasing my campaign contribution every year."