Elmcrest Children's Center

01/09/2026

Elmcrest would like to sincerely thank Anthony, a member of Journeys, for his generosity and dedication to our community. Anthony organized a fundraiser and toy drive in Syracuse, providing both a cash donation and toys to help bring joy to the children we serve.

As an engineering student in his final year, Anthony continues to give back through service and community involvement, and we are truly grateful for his efforts and his connection with Journeys that helped make this possible. Thank you for making a meaningful impact!

01/05/2026

Aaron, a youth in our residential program, has a big heart, and a love for cooking for others.

Recently, he hosted a pancake breakfast for staff, where tips were collected to help purchase items for Golisano Children’s Hospital.

From planning the menu to serving breakfast, Aaron was all in and so proud to be giving back. Experiences like this allow our youth to build confidence, learn generosity, and spread kindness in meaningful ways.

We couldn’t be more proud of Aaron and the compassion he shared with our community.

01/02/2026

01/01/2026

As we welcome the New Year, all of us at Elmcrest Children’s Center want to wish our community a happy, healthy, and hopeful year ahead.

Thank you to the children and families we are honored to serve, whose strength and resilience inspire us every day. Thank you to our incredible staff, whose compassion, dedication, and care make healing and growth possible. We are deeply grateful to our Board of Directors and advisors for their leadership and guidance, and to our generous supporters and partners who stand beside us and believe in our mission.

For more than 180 years, Elmcrest has been changing lives, because of you. As we reflect with gratitude on the past and look ahead with purpose, we remain committed to creating brighter futures for the children and families who count on us.

Thank you for being part of our story, then, now, and in the years to come. Happy New Year from all of us at Elmcrest.

12/29/2025

Elmcrest is incredibly grateful to Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists for their generosity this holiday season. Their thoughtful toy drive donation helped bring joy, comfort, and a sense of celebration to the children and youth we serve.

Acts of kindness like this remind our young people that they are cared for and supported by their community.

12/24/2025

Happy Holidays from all of us at Elmcrest! 🎄

This season, we’re grateful for the moments that bring us together. Staff, residential youth, board members, and our extended Elmcrest family came together for our annual Tree Lighting, sharing light, joy, and connection.

Thank you for being part of the community that makes Elmcrest a place of care, hope, and belonging.

12/23/2025

Elmcrest extends our heartfelt thanks to Regan's Acts of Kindness for their incredible generosity.

We were so grateful to receive 300 beautifully made ornaments, each one a meaningful reminder of care, compassion, and community. Thoughtful gestures like this help make our environment brighter and remind the children and youth we serve that they are supported and valued.

Thank you, Regan’s Acts of Kindness, for spreading joy and kindness in such a meaningful way. Your support truly makes a difference.

12/18/2025

Elmcrest would like to thank INFICON for their generous donation of a beautiful collection of classic books to our library.

These timeless stories will help spark imagination, encourage learning, and create meaningful moments for the children and youth we serve. Thoughtful gifts like this make a lasting impact, and we truly appreciate INFICON’s continued support of our mission.

Thank you for helping us turn pages into possibilities.

12/17/2025

Elmcrest is proud and honored to be a recipient of Romano Toyota Holiday Hope Project.

This generous support will help strengthen our Transition to Independence Program, which serves residential youth aging out of foster care by providing work readiness, vocational training, mentoring, life skills development, and aftercare support. These resources play a critical role in helping young people build confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for adulthood.

We are deeply grateful to Romano Toyota for believing in our mission and investing in the futures of the youth we serve. Partnerships like this create real, lasting impact for the children and families in our care.

12/11/2025

🎁✨ Did you know? ✨🎁

Many companies offer employer gift matching, which means your donation to Elmcrest could be matched dollar-for-dollar to help children and families thrive! 💖

If you or someone you know works for one of these generous companies, your gift can go twice as far this holiday season:

🌟 Corning Incorporated Friends
🌟 M&T Bank
🌟 IBM
🌟 JPMorganChase
🌟 Bank of America
🌟 American Express
🌟 MetLife
🌟 Goldman Sachs
🌟 Microsoft
🌟 Google
🌟 PepsiCo
🌟 Pfizer
🌟 Wegmans
🌟 Verizon
🌟 Disney
🌟 Johnson & Johnson
🌟 Starbucks
🌟 The Home Depot
…and many more!

Every matched donation helps brighten a child’s future, one smile at a time. 💙

Double your impact, double the joy! Make your gift today: https://elmcrest.org/donate/

12/10/2025

When Matthew came to Elmcrest, he was just a child who had already endured more pain than most face in a lifetime. Angry and scared, he was sure no one could love him, until Elmcrest saw more than a “case file.” We saw him, a boy who deserved to heal, grow, and believe in himself again.

Through caring staff and programs like our Family Support Center and Residential Services, Matthew found safety, stability, and hope. Today, he’s 29, owns a home, has two amazing dogs, and is studying Marriage and Family Therapy, determined to give back the way Elmcrest gave to him.

Help save the next Matthew. Read his full story and make your gift today https://elmcrest.org/you-saved-me-a-letter-from-matthew-to-elmcrest/

12/08/2025

Watch our recent appearance on Bridge Street to hear from Renee Hagar-Smith, Elmcrest Board Member, and Helen Kelley, Agency Development Officer. They share how you can help bring hope and joy to the children and teens at Elmcrest through our holiday gift drive.

Many of our youth have faced trauma, family separation, or difficult circumstances. Your generosity can make their holidays feel brighter, warmer, and full of care.

How you can help:

Donate toys and gifts for Elmcrest’s residential youth

Drop off donations through December 19 at:
Elmcrest Children’s Center
960 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse

View the full gift list and drop-off details here: elmcrest.org/elmcrest-elves

Watch the Bridge Street segment here: https://www.localsyr.com/bridge-street/elmcrest-childrens-center-seeking-toy-donations-for-youth/

Toys make every child’s Christmas a little bit brighter, but that’s especially true for those going through treatment. That’s why Elmcrest Children’s Center is asking commun…