Syracuse United Neighbors (SUN) is a grassroots community organization, established in 1977 and dedicated to improving the lives of families living in the neighborhoods on the south, southwest and near-west sides of Syracuse, N.Y.
By organizing the residents of our neighborhoods into a group of active, knowledgeable and involved citizens, SUN will lead the fight for homes that are affordable and in good repair, for equal access to quality public services, for a crime and drug-free community and for an end to financial redlining and predatory loans.
The problems faced by residents in SUN’s neighborhoods require intense and sustained citizen action to be overcome. SUN members take the lead role in all of SUN’s activities–facilitating public meetings, testifying at government hearings and negotiating with representatives from private industry, government officials and executives of non-profit agencies. Our neighborhoods become stronger when its residents are able to advocate for themselves.
SUN is a member of the National People’s Action (NPA) organizing network, a coalition of neighborhood groups from over 30 states that work on changing national policies that have a direct effect on local neighborhoods.
The basic blueprint for community organizing was developed by Saul Alinsky who helped organize neighbors in the Back Of The Yards area of Chicago starting in the 1940’s. As the documentary film about Alinsky “The Democratic Promise” states:
A passionate believer that social justice could be achieved through American democracy, Saul Alinsky methodically showed the “have-nots” how to organize their communities, target the power brokers and politically out-maneuver them. The lessons he taught people about the nature of power, imparted dignity to the poor and helped create a backyard revolution in cities across America. His work influenced the struggle for civil rights and the farm workers movement, as well as the very nature of political protest.
More Information On Community Organizing: Basics of Organizing Introduction to the nuts and bolts of organizing–written by Shel Trapp the founding organizer of N.P.A.
