Board of Directors 2017 Mark F. Cass, President

Executive Director Northside Learning Center

Randy Wolken, Vice PresidentPresident MACNY

Howard Triche, Vice PresidentBrewing Technical Training

Manager at Anheuser-Busch

Linda F. McHugh, TreasurerVP Finance

CADimensions, Inc.

Andrew S. Lunetta, At LargeExecutive Director

A Tiny Home For Good, Inc.

Jim BarryOwner

James J. Barry, Jr., CPA

Hon. Julie CecileJudge

Onondaga County Family Court

Dr. James Duah-Ageyman Director of Office of Multicultural Affairs

Syracuse University

Eileen M. ClintonVP Risk Management

Brown and Brown of Empire State

Kevin T. FrankExecutive Director at BFC

Tim McCarthyBoard of Advisors

Jail Ministry

Louise PoindexterLong time neighborhood activist

Dan QueriOwner

DQ Consulting Services

Fr. John SchopferPastoral Director at BFC

Robert J. StreetProduct Line Manager

Anaren Microwave

Eunice WilliamsVP/ Chief Diversity Officer

Onondaga Community College

Brianna WrightAttorney

Hancock Estabrook, LLP

Spring 2017

404 South Avenue • Syracuse, NY 13204 • 315-472-9077 • bradyfaithcenter.org

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• The following Five Churches and family who provided gifts to individuals and families in our Christmas Gift Giving Ministry: Cathedral, Holy Family, Immaculate Conception, Most Holy Rosary, and St. James, Dennis and Mary Ann Brodey• Juanita Davis for sharing her spiritual gift of hospitality and joy-filled cleaning at the Center throughout the week and for her enthusiastic singing during Sunday Church• Julia Nosovitch, for your warm presence and wonderful cooking for people in our drop-in center and P 2 P program. • Bob Street and JoAnn Adjei for the exceptional leadership of our men’s and women’s weekly Bible Study.• Our great cooks from St. Michael - St. Peter Parish who prepare a delicious meal for our men’s group every week.• Beverly Vinnette and Chris Toomey and everyone who makes soup for Sunday Faith Formation and Service participants. Your healthy and delicious soups feed our spirits. • Janet Patrick who is always willing to be our fill-in cook due to cancellations or opening. You always provide us with “manna” from the heavens!• Patrick Coyne and Jeff Martin for fixing bikes non-stop so we can keep riding bikes through the city as a community and giving them to our graduates!• Isaiah and Elaine Wolfe for farm videography• Dr. Carol Recker and the Upstate Physical Therapy Education program for farm work• Xumin Xu for building our Farm website• Darius Adjei for your reliable and timely assistance as the transportation minister for the women's group.• Beth and Roger Schafer for working with us to provide hospitality, good food, and clean-up for our Sacramental Retreat at Alverna Heights! Thanks so much for your friendship with us at Brady!• Thanks to The Lynch Family for installing a much appreciated playground set on Bellevue Ave. near to so many of our friends! It is being used by children regularly with great joy!

Thank You to...Brady Receives Racial Justice AwardInterfaith Works and the El-Hindi Center for Dialogue honored Brady Faith Center, along with three other individuals, at its 2017 Racial Justice Awards on Wed., March 1 by presenting the Organizational Racial Justice Award to the entire Brady community, staff and board. The award recogized Brady’s dedicated and tireless commitment to equal rights and service to Syracuse’s south side residents. Over 100 people gathered at Syracuse Stage for light refreshments and a ceremony prior to

the Stage’s production of Ain’t Misbehavin’. The award extends to you, our supporters, volunteers, and donors, as we recognize this as God’s work through the gifts of many. Thank you!

It took a while to have “regulars” at the Brady Faith Urban Farm stand last year, our first year. By September we began to notice familiar faces, and every week a few more would take the first step to stop, shop and learn. This is the story of one such man. This man was drawn to Brady’s farm stand to buy enough vegetables to feed his extended family during Sunday dinners. He became a regular because he felt our presence represents dedication to community, love, and stewardship of people and the land. Our conversation during his third

visit gives us continual hope and perseverance. He began talking about the upcoming presidential election. After we bantered a bit, he said “Clinton and Trump, they’ll never be here. They’ll never touch our lives. You and me here, that’s what matters. It doesn’t matter what your race is, and what color I am. You’re here selling vegetables on the corner, and I’m here buying them. You’re here doing this good work in the community, and I’m here supporting you. This election can’t

Year #2 at Brady's Urban Farm: Kinship, CSAs, and GrowthBy Jessi Lyons, Urban Farm Coordinator

A student proudly displays his hand-picked beet

From Rider to Bike Repairman

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whom live with him, and one on the way. The lovely woman in his life is working toward her GED, and has influenced Jeff to study for his GED as well. A man of all trades, Jeff has learned plumbing, landscaping, drywall, general construction and housing maintenance, however is out of steady work. At Brady, Jeff finds purpose and work. He helps with deliveries, picks up donations, shovels and fixes bikes. He became interested in fixing bikes after watching Patrick Coyne, a volunteer bike repairman for Pedals, fix his bike a few times. Now, after lessons and hands-on experience, Jeff repairs bikes alongside Patrick. “Getting approval to fix bikes at Pedals has been a great and exciting gift,” Jeff said with a can’t-hold-back smile. “It is a great feeling to be involved with fixing bikes and making quite a few friends!” The staff and community at Brady comforted and supported Jeff after he was hit by a car on Jan. 3 while riding his bike. Jeff thanks Brady for its presence through his injury, and for providing advocacy support and Christmas gifts. “Being at Brady taught me how to keep my cool, stay calm, be safe. Brady helps me with my problems. I don’t stress about food or other family necessities. At Brady, where there is a staff or volunteer, there is a way. Amen!” Jeff said. He plans on sending his boys to Brady’s kids programming, grateful for Brady’s efforts in keeping kids out of street gangs. Jeff reflects on his time at Brady with relief and pride. “My time at Brady is a good escape. It provides me with a safe environment. Brady is my little safe house,” he said. Brady Faith Center would like to thank Mr. Jeff Martin for his presence at Brady, his work at odd jobs around the center, and for volunteering as a bike repair specialist.

"Jeff" Cont’d

Jeff Martin remembers being around Brady Faith Center as a child, before it relocated to its present location. Now he is not only a regular Pedal to Possibilities rider, but one who moved from participant to helper to regular volunteer as a bike repair specialist. Jeff credits Father John for reigniting his relationship with Brady after many years. Father John noticed Jeff riding his bike often, so he told him about the Pedal Program. He connected him to another rider, and coincidentally a man from Jeff ’s past, Carlton Sheldon, now deceased, who raved about the program and encouraged Jeff to come down to South Ave. to ride. Jeff completed his 10 rides and graduated from Pedals on Nov. 16, 2016. “It was very affirming and rewarding to receive my t-shirt, lock, helmet, bike and certificate. I put the certificate in my safe VIP folder. Being at Pedals to Possibilities reassured me that I will keep my bike life alive,” he said. Having a bicycle has secured for Jeff a means of transportation, which he uses to get food for his family. He has four children: two daughters, ages 28 and 16, the latter in foster care, and two sons who reside with him. He also has three grandchildren, two of

P2P NeedsBrady appreciates all donations to Pedals to Possibilities. If you are connected with shops, rides or communities which could rally support for us we would greatly appreciate it!

We are always collecting bike parts including wires, inner tubes, tires, lubricants, bikes and/or bikes for parts, patch kits, and specialized tools.

Your time and energy to help us repair bikes is also always welcome and appreciated.

change that.” If it weren’t for the farm stand, I don’t know if I would have ever had the opportunity to talk to this man, or him to me. But the farm gave us a meeting place, and his kinship means the world to me. Stories like these will grow along with our crops and that is what makes this project so beautiful. Our update for you is exciting, and we encourage you to get involved as a buyer, volunteer or both. This spring we’ll start the Brady Farm CSA. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture, and is a way for consumers and farmers to better support each other. Small-

scale vegetable farming is risky. CSAs allow customers to buy a share of a farm, entitling them to a portion of what’s produced and a voice in what is grown. In turn, farmers get reliable income and help planning what to grow. The Brady Farm CSA will allow families to choose between a half or full share of produce, receive a discount for other products, and use food stamps to buy the share. In addition to the CSA, we’ll offer online ordering, two market stands, and low-income discounts. We will grow more of the food that people love and will partner with other local farms to offer more variety. Throughout the year you’ll witness construction of a new greenhouse, a packing shed, a fence, and twice the food planted as last year. We encourage you to come visit the farm, located at 150 Ford Ave., to witness, support and take part in the second year. The labor of love that we share with neighbors and volunteers will be evident through it all. . Our mission is lofty, and farming is hard work, but we know its value is far greater than the exchange of goods.

"Farm" Cont’d

• Families select 16 weeks to receive a box between June 18 – October 28. • A limited # of shares available at half cost for low-income eligible families. • Share holders can also add items to their weekly box at a discount.

Family Share Regular Share Sponsor (Family+/Regular+) (8-14 items/week) (6-12 items/week) 8-14/6-12 items/week $400/season $320/season +$80 donates goods to a family in need

* Family and Regular Shares can be fully sponsored as well

Contact Jessi Lyons at jlyonsbfc@gmail.com for more.Keep in touch on Facebook @BradyFaithFarm

Brady Farm CSA Quick Facts

We’ve got it all as cyclists in Syracuse. Flat and smooth to the North. Rolling and scenic to the East. Hilly and challenging to the South. And a bit of everything to the West. But we tend to overlook the roads right under our wheels. Too often the City of Syracuse is just an obstacle we need to “power through” before arriving to “the ride.” It’s a shame. The roads, neighborhoods, and people that make up our city are treasures. However, there is a cycling group that gets in their miles riding the city streets. Departing from the Brady Faith Center, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the riders of Pedal to Possibilities wind their way through the Southside, the Valley, Sedgewick, and every neighborhood in between. I have been a proud member of Pedal to Possibilities since 2011. Here are three reasons why. One, there is no set of criteria to ride with Pedal to Possibilities. All are welcome. A typical ride at Pedal to Possibilities is made up of individuals facing homelessness, local community members, students, suburbanites, and whoever is feeling a ride that particular morning. There are very few activities out there that have zero barriers to entry. Pedal to Possibilities is one. Two, I love riding my bicycle in the city. Red lights become a nice rest break, not a patience testing hassle; so I smile more. I travel at a pace where I can recognize others walking and biking; so I wave more. And when on the bike, I don’t autopilot the journey; so I see more. Pedal to Possibilities affords the opportunity to smile, wave, and see. And three, I love the people of Pedal to Possibilities. It is exciting to meet people who are so insightful due to ample life experience and diverse in every way. I always, without fail, leave Pedal to Possibilities in a better mood than when I arrived. Pedal to Possibilities has opened my eyes to the roads, neighborhoods, and people – the hidden treasures - that the City of Syracuse has to offer. Why not get a taste of those treasures too? Mark Sunday, June 4 on your calendar. Be a part of the 4th Annual Bike and Walk for Brady and come experience the treasures that exist right below our tires and shoes.

Come, Ride with UsBy Andrew Lunetta, founder of Pedals and Director of Tiny Home for Good, Inc

Bike for Brady (and Walk, too!)Riders and walkers alike are looking forward to celebrating with us at our fourth annual community bike ride and walk. This important ride/walk brings people together while rais-ing awareness and support of our Brady Programs, includ-ing Pedal to Possibilities.

A new 3K walk has been added to this year’s event so that everybody can join this year’s healthy celebration! The Bike for Brady (and Walk too!) is scheduled for June 4. The day is filled with new and different bike rides, 10, 20 and 40 miles long through the streets and neighborhoods of our city. This year you will be able to register online through our website. Registration is $25 per person for the bike and walk events, and last year over 150 riders participated.

This year’s event is co-chaired by Arnie Artessa, David Philippone and Bob Dougherty, dedicated riders and sup-porters of the Brady Faith Center. They are planning on making this year’s event the best ever. The festivities will begin and end at the Brady Farm which is located at 150 Ford Ave. We will enjoy spreading out on the 6 acres of land and enjoying the food and celebration, which end this one of a kind event.

So grab your bike helmet and walking shoes and remember to save the date, Sunday, June 4, to celebrate with us at the fourth annual Bike for Brady (and Walk too!)

“Joining P to P has helped me in a lot of ways! The spiritual and faith part of my life has grown because of the fel-lowship at Brady. At the lowest points in my life, in my time of need, people at Brady are there for me. Ever since I started riding with the team and earned my bicycle, my physical health has improved. Both my heart and arthritis are better, I don’t need to take cholesterol pills and I’m in good shape. Before P to P I had to depend on others for my transportation needs. Now, I have my independence, wherever a car can go, I can go. I thank God for Brady and the positive atmosphere it provides, it’s the place I choose to be." -Juanita Davis

Sponsorship LevelsNaming Sponsor - $5,000Pedal to Peace - $2,500+Pedal to Hope - $1,000+ Pedal to Justice - $500+

Sponsors in each category receive recognition on the

event t-shirt, in the printed program, on our website,

and in our 1,600 subscriber newsletter, plus highlighted

recognition at the event.

Consider Sponsoring Bike for Brady (and Walk, too!)

As in years past the Brady Faith Center is asking for corporate and individual contributions. Interested individuals can call Kevin Frank for more information at 315.472.9077.