For the last four years, the Near Westside Initiative (NWSI), along with the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion at the Maxwell School, have been partnering together to improve community health outcomes in the Near Westside of Syracuse. Work has focused on community safety and the reactivation of Skiddy Park. To combat negative media attention and to get the community to take back ownership of the park, the NWSI and the Lerner Center teamed up with local grocer Paul Nojaim to hire five young adults from the neighborhood to work at Skiddy Park Monday through Friday, to engage neighborhood youth in physical activity and arts and crafts.
Originally published at SU News