Syracuse, NY--The Determination Center, an after school program for children and teens, has seen an outpouring of food, money and warm words of encouragement, since the community learned of a devastating burglary there last weekend. The outpouring from friends and strangers has overwhelmed her, center President and Chief Executive Bettie Graham said this morning. The center leases space from Catholic...
Syracuse, NY--The Determination Center, an after school program for children and teens, has seen an outpouring of food, money and warm words of encouragement, since the community learned of a devastating burglary there last weekend.
The outpouring from friends and strangers has overwhelmed her, center President and Chief Executive Bettie Graham said this morning.
The center leases space from Catholic Charities of Onondaga County. Sometime between 12:30 p.m. Sunday and 4 p.m. Monday, thieves broke into the Catholic Charities at 1654 W. Onondaga St. They ransacked offices there before entering The Determination Center through a connecting hallway.
Once inside the center thieves ransacked offices. They stole food from two freezers, canned goods and snacks Graham uses to feed dinner to the 78 children who attend the after school program run by the not-for-profit. The center also serves about 100 teens in the evening.
Thieves also stole money from the children's fundraiser, petty cash, a camera, craft supplies, paper plates and cups, and a sound system among other things.
Syracuse police continue to investigate the burglary there and at Catholic Charities.
Graham was devastated and wiping away tears after discovering the burglaries Tuesday.
When word of the burglaries hit the community that day neighbors showed up at the center with food and money, she said. Graham said she hasn’t added it all up yet.
A man she only knows as Bob brought food that first day. Another from Manlius and others dropped by with money. The Gifford Foundation made a donation. And the answering machine is filled with words of encouragement and good wishes, she said.
“It’s a new day and I’m grateful for all the support from the community. They’ve really shown that they care,” Graham said. “That’s made me determined to go on and press forward and do what I have to do for the kids.”