ICAN announces its partnership with the Jon Diaz Community Center (JDCC) to operate a new community center in Nedrow, NY.

The Jon Diaz Community Center (JDCC) will provide a secure and accessible community health and well-being space. The center is inspired by Jon Diaz's life and legacy. It will be a hub of transformative opportunities, offering diversified community partners an opportunity to deliver crucial programs and resources that empower youth and families in the Village of Nedrow and the surrounding areas. 

The center will be a living legacy in honor of Jon Diaz, a dedicated community member, public servant, and family man. Jonathan “Jon” Diaz graduated from Onondaga Central High School and the State University of New York at Brockport, where he enjoyed playing sports, video games, and caring for animals. After college, he worked in group homes and as a substitute teacher in the Syracuse City School District. He had a desire to become a police officer and passed the police exam before he died in 2016. 

Founder Latavius Murray, an NFL running back and fellow Onondaga Central School Graduate, is committed to incorporating community involvement in the center's development, including planning and evaluation. As a youth, Murray traveled across the Syracuse area to access the athletics programs that paved the way for his career in the National Football League. The JDCC is committed to ensuring young people have access to programs and opportunities without having to leave the community.

"The Jon Diaz Community Center will be more than just a facility; it will be the beating heart of our community, a place where families come together to grow, thrive, and support one another. I’m proud to partner with ICAN on this important project in my hometown of Nedrow." Latavius Murray, JDCC Founder 

The JDCC will address the US Department of Health and Human Services social determinants of health and recommendations included in the Onondaga County Health Assessment and Improvement Plan. It will provide a collaborative space for economic opportunities, coordinated social services, health and wellness programs, and enrichment activities for people of all ages.

See renderings of the new Community Center here

ICAN, a unique home and community-based network that provides individualized and non-traditional services and care to high-risk individuals and families with social, emotional, mental health, and behavioral challenges, has been a mainstay in the Central New York community for over 25 years. ICAN is thrilled to partner with JDCC to provide operational support to the new community center and the children and families of Nedrow and surrounding areas. 

"We are excited to announce our partnership with the JDCC and expansion into Onondaga County, and we are dedicated to making a positive impact in the Nedrow community," said Steven Bulger, CEO/Executive Director at ICAN. "This expansion is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative supports and services where they are most needed. We look forward to more collaboration as we keep families together in every community we touch."

Left to right: ICAN CFO Chris Lambe, ICAN Development Manager Julian Galimo, JDCC president Latavius Murray and ICAN CEO/Executive Director Steven Bulger

The partnership will allow the JDCC staff and board to focus on the community center's development while ICAN focuses on the center's operational structure. Given ICAN's proven track record of managed service support, the Nedrow community will receive quality services and programs. ICAN’s commitment to growth and service following recent expansions, including the renovation of a new hub in Herkimer, an office in Amsterdam, the Family Resource Center on Memorial Parkway in Utica, the future all-new Utica Children’s Museum, and Elevate CNY in Westmoreland.

The 14,000-square-foot community center will feature an indoor athletic facility, a computer lab, a community gathering space, an esports lab, child care spaces, an indoor playground, a gym, and ICAN offices that will provide programming and service support. This center will provide important programs for the youth and families in the area. The JDCC will serve as a place for people to connect, collaborate, and create positive changes in the Nedrow community.

The JDCC is currently in the planning and development stages for the facility. A community meeting is scheduled for May 30, 2024 at 6pm at the Nedrow Fire Department to share more about the project. Further details will follow.