In the heart of Syracuse there is a neighborhood rich with incredible diversity. People from all around the world with stories, recipes and cultures few of us have ever encountered now call Syracuse home. These new neighbors are from the dozens of resettled refugee communities that fled their homelands due to war and fear for their lives, and now seek to start again. While many are incredibly grateful for this change, they long for home and often times struggle to do the seemingly simple things of life due to language and cultural barriers. The children, who learn English quicker in most cases, often times are forced to play a larger role in the families in aiding their parents with translation and the like while wrestling through their own trauma healing and cultural adjustment challenges.

Right in the heart of the neighborhood where the majority of these new neighbors reside is a home which opens its doors and lives to families, Hopeprint. Hopeprint, along with its dedicated team of people, seeks to empower Syracuse's resettled refugees through practicing hospitality, personalized mentorship and community collaboration. Perhaps, most importantly, they extend a sincere and lasting imprint of hope to every individual who comes to their door.

Believing that music is a powerful way to communicate universally and express oneself, I (Jeff) have a personal passion to see the children able to play musical instruments. Many of these refugee children come from countries where music is an extremely valued and important form of expression, yet without the opportunity, it can easily be lost along the way. I'd like your help in putting instruments in the hands of these children for those songs to be sung and played again.

I am raffling off a single prize worth $200 in gift certificates to help raise money for Hopeprint to buy musical instruments for the refugee children. My goal is to raise $1000 towards this endeavor, which would be enough to buy some guitars, drums, and other small instruments. For only a dollar you have a chance to win $200 in gift certificates as well as the opportunity to help support this wonderful organization by gifting musical equipment for refugee children to learn and play together.

Thank You for your support!