OUR STORY

Welcome to Rise Above Poverty Syracuse!

Hi, I’m Reggie Kelley and I am the Founder/Executive Director of Rise Above Poverty Syracuse. I want to share with you my community endeavor called Rise Above Poverty. After reading an article on Syracuse.com regarding the homeless rate in the Syracuse City School District, The Lord has compelled me to act on behalf of homeless youth in Syracuse.

I was horrified to learn that slightly more than 10% of the students in our district are homeless. There are several causes of homelessness, including high unemployment, low wages, domestic violence, and violence/crime-infested neighborhoods. These traumas, in addition to unstable housing, have a direct effect on children. At Delaware Primary, 98% of students live in poverty and 13% of the students are homeless.  These students do not have the essentials of life: a place to call home, a roof over their head, soap, deodorant, socks, and/or underwear. With so many disadvantages in life, how can they function and succeed academically?

I believe this is an opportunity for us to invest in those who don’t have the bare necessities of life.  Proverbs: 3:27  states: ”Do not withhold good…When it is in the power of your hand to do so.”  We often say, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I can’t think of a better opportunity to apply these principles than to the current situation for our youth. Let’s help these students “Rise Above Poverty.” Please help us provide some of their most basic needs. Please help them to focus on academics and not worry about where their next pair of socks or underwear are coming from!

So, I’m reaching out to YOU (the community) to join me in assisting Syracuse youth by helping them meet their most basic needs.

Thank you so much for allowing me to share this burden with you.