Help Restore the Hayden House

Last year the Hayden family suffered a severe fire that damaged their home and made it uninhabitable.   After 50 plus years of living at 912 Midland Avenue and raising four kids, Geneva and Al Hayden had to move out of the house and the neighborhood that they love.  


Not only does this house have the significance of being the Hayden family home, but it is also where Mrs. Hayden started out helping children in the neighborhood. She used her living room as a library and children could check out books and get help with their homework.  This led to her creating Communities United to Rebuild Neighborhoods (CURN), a block-by-block program that engaged parents and children in neighborhood pride. From there she helped launched our program, Light a Candle for Literacy, a volunteer-run afterschool and summer literacy program. 

For over 40 years, Mrs. Hayden has served the Southside community faithfully.  At the age of 83, she still helps the youth to this day, and there are dozens if not hundreds of youth who are now adults who have been impacted by her dedication.  

To honor Mrs. Hayden and her profound legacy, we are seeking to raise $125,000 to restore the Hayden House and turn it into the home of the Light A Candle For Literacy program.  

The entire renovation will include a youth-friendly kitchen to teach kids how to cook and prepare healthy meals; a library where they can read and check out books; a computer room; and a playroom for games and activities. Programming will include Mommy & Me classes, Saturday enrichment activities, Girl Scouts, and community events.  

We hope that you will join us in our efforts to restore the Hayden House and leave a lasting legacy for a woman that has done so much for the Syracuse community.   

All donations are valued and greatly appreciated!

--Team LACFL