City Hall—Syracuse, NY
Good evening. My name is Risa Cantu C’DeBaca. I am 28 year old student at Syracuse University, a worker,
an educator of children and teens with special needs, and a local community
activist. My husband Adam and I
have lived in Syracuse for three years and currently live in the Lower Comstock
area, near the university.
Although we have lived here for three years now, it was only
until I became involved in the Occupy Syracuse movement that I had learned
about the Ida Benderson Senior Center and its closing in early fall of last
year. I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know many of the seniors
affected by the closing of the center by being involved with the Ida Benderson
Senior Action Group since early November of 2011. We meet every Friday at
Plymouth Church and the seniors meet for various events around the community to
maintain the special relationships they formed at the Ida Benderson Center.
Many of these seniors had been going to the center for
decades and have been dedicated workers, teachers, parents, and proud citizens
of the Greater Syracuse community. It’s essential for all of us to remember
that one day most of us will be and/or are seniors—and that they must not be
forgotten.
That is why I urge you Common Council, to please consider
putting a new senior center in the new budget. A senior center that is
accessible for Syracuse seniors…one that is safe, clean, inviting, and
entertaining.
I want to thank you for your time. A special thanks to
Councilman Nader Maroun who has consistently been supportive of the Ida
Benderson Senior Action Group. Thank you.
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