In an effort to move closer to the community, Say Yes to Education Syracuse has relocated off campus into offices at the Lincoln Supply Building.

‘Say Yes is a representative of our entire community, and it’s really important that we are easily accessible to the city of Syracuse and our community,’ said Rachael Gazdick, executive director of Say Yes.

Say Yes is a collaboration by the Syracuse City School District, Syracuse University, Say Yes to Education Inc., and several other local and national organizations working to help students in the city attend college. SU students participate in the program through tutoring and participating in various after-school programs.

The Say Yes offices moved onto the second floor of the Lincoln Supply Building last Thursday, Gazdick said. The move was announced Friday on the Say Yes website, and anyone interested was encouraged to stop by the new office space on the 100 block of Otisco Street.

The program’s offices were previously located above SU Health Services at 111 Waverly Ave. because space was available there when Say Yes moved in three years ago, Gazdick said. She said it has been her understanding that the program would eventually move into its own space.

The Lincoln Supply Building is a warehouse that has been under construction for the past year. The new office space provides room to conduct events, such as computer training and community meetings. Say Yes has 12 offices, a computer lab, classroom space and a conference room in the building.

The Lincoln Supply Building is part of the larger Near Westside Initiative, a collaborative project between SU and the city to revitalize the West Side of Syracuse.

There are more than 500 community members volunteering for Say Yes, Gazdick said. Gazdick said Say Yes has several SU students working as interns and that she expects community participation to continue.

Gazdick said it makes sense for the citywide initiative to be located closer to the people it serves. The new building is located along the Connective Corridor as well, so people should have no trouble getting there, Gazdick said. She said she does not think the move away from campus will mean fewer SU students will volunteer.

Said Gazdick: ‘It’s a way for students to engage in the community.’

dkmcbrid@syr.edu

Published on April 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Dara: dkmcbrid@syr.edu | @daramcbride