Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award Recognition Dinner

November 12, 2026

Bellevue Country Club

The Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Award Recognition Dinner honors individuals and organizations making a difference in the lives of youth and families in Syracuse. This year's inaugural event will recognize two recipients of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, which  honors individuals, organizations, or businesses that have made significant contributions to expanding Scouting opportunities for youth in underrepresented communities. We will also present a North Star Award, which recognizes a community member for their outstanding leadership and dedication to community service. Read more about our honorees below. 

About Scouting in Syracuse

Scouting in Syracuse is a community outreach initiative of Scouting America Longhouse Council. Our objective is to work with community partners to engage youth and families and to extend Scouting programs and services in the City of Syracuse.

Scouting America's programs engage youth and their families in experiential learning and outdoor adventure that develop character, citizenship, and personal and mental fitness, giving them the tools to be prepared for life. 

Your support of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Service Awards Recognition Dinner empowers Scouting America to bring access to the Scouting movement to more youth and families in Syracuse. 

Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Honoree

Mark Cass

North Side Learning Center

Mark Cass was an integral member of the Syracuse community. He served as the Executive Director of the North Side Learning Center from January 2017 until his passing in August 2026. Prior to that appointment, he served as an NSLC board member and program volunteer since 2011. Mark was a native of Syracuse and worked in the nonprofit sector his entire career. The majority of his career was in the field of Adult Education and Literacy, both locally and nationally. He also engaged in a wide variety of social justice initiatives throughout his life. 

He served as the Executive Director of the Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (ACTS) prior to taking on leadership of the NSLC. Mark previously co-chaired the Education Task Force of ACTS. 

Cass was a member of the "design team" of Interfaith Works' Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism program at its inception; was trained as a facilitator for the Undoing Racism training of the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond; grassroots organizing against displacement of lower income renters in Salem, MA; and working on a range of neighborhood and community issues. 

He also served in a number of positions with community organizations, including as a member of the Managing Partners of the Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County and of its Adult Education Roundtable; member of the InterFaith Works Roundtable of Faith Leaders; board member of the Brady Faith Center; and previously on the board of the Spanish Action League of Onondaga County.  

Mark was a graduate of Onondaga Community College, and Syracuse University - earning a Bachelors degree in Social Work. He resided on the Southside of Syracuse and is the father of five children. He was active member of the Mosque of Jesus Son of Mary. 

In 2024, Mark was instrumental in the founding of Cub Scout Pack 44 at NSLC, the first new Cub Scout Pack of the Scouting in Syracuse initiative. As a great advocate for youth, Mark and NSLC have been vital partners in extending Scouting opportunities to families in Syracuse.

Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Honoree
 

Troop 1, Syracuse

Troop 1 was founded in 1914 at Erwin First United Methodist Church,. It is the longest-tenured Scouting program in Syracuse. For over 100 years, Troop 1 has served families on Syracuse's East Side and has produced many Eagle Scouts and other alumni that have benefited the communities. The current key leadership team consists of Terry Richmond, who has served as Scoutmaster since 1993, and Chris Devoe, who has served as Assistant Scoutmaster since 1983.

North Star Award Honoree

Assemblymember Pamela Hunter

Pamela J. Hunter grew up in Upstate New York and is a decorated, honorably discharged United States Army veteran. After her military service, Pamela received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Strayer College in Washington D.C., with concentrations in human resources and computer information systems. She has a professional certification in human resources and a Doctor of Humane Letters Honorary Degree from Le Moyne College. Assemblymember Hunter represents the 128th Assembly District, one of the most diverse districts in the state, which includes urban, suburban, and rural areas, as well as the Onondaga Nation. The district encompasses the southern, near west, and eastern portions of the City of Syracuse and the surrounding towns of Dewitt, Onondaga, and Salina.

Prior to her election to the New York State Assembly in 2015, Pamela served on the Syracuse Common Council for three years and chaired the Public Safety Committee. She also has broad professional experience, having held executive positions with nonprofit organizations and professional service firms. Her community service includes participation on various boards: AccessCNY, Catholic Charities, Meals on Wheels, Home Aides of Central New York, and the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency. Assemblymember Hunter's dedication to public service and advocacy has earned her numerous accolades, including, but not limited to the Community Advocate of the Year Award by Nosotros Radio, the Friend of Labor Award by the Greater Syracuse Labor Council-AFLCIO, the Susan B. Anthony Award by the National Organization for Women, the Distinguished Veteran of the Year Award by the Onondaga County Veterans Council, the NAACP President's Award, and the Legislator of the Year Award by the American Red Cross.

Currently, Ms. Hunter serves as Speaker Pro Tempore and presides over legislative session proceedings. Additionally, she is the only female veteran in the State Legislature and is a member of the Civil Air Patrol service for the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. She draws on these experiences, past and present, to guide her unique insight as the Chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Women Veterans. Pamela serves on several committees, including Insurance, Veterans Affairs, Ways and Means, and Rules, and is an active member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus, the Women's Caucus and the Black Task Force. Nationally, Pamela serves as the Immediate-Past President of the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL). In this role, she serves on the organization's Executive Committee and advances model laws for adoption in states across the country. 

Assemblymember Hunter has been a stalwart defender of human rights and has sponsored legislation to protect the most vulnerable residents of New York State. She has championed anti-poverty legislation, such as the Driver's License Suspension Reform Act, which ends the practice of suspending a driver's license for the nonpayment of fines, which had disproportionately impacted our poor and populations of color. Another of her enacted bills secured a property tax credit for low-income households required to carry flood insurance. 

Pamela Hunter lives in Syracuse with her husband and rescue dog.

Event Chair

Charles Garland

Charles E. Garland is a lifelong public servant, businessman, tradesman, community advocate, and social activist whose work has been deeply rooted in service to the people of Syracuse and Onondaga County. A proud father of three college-educated adult children, Garland has built his life and career around the belief that meaningful leadership means listening to others, bringing people together, and creating bridges across differences.

Since 1990, Garland has served as a third-generation owner, funeral director, and manager of Garland Bros. Funeral Home of Syracuse, Inc., an institution established in 1929 and recognized as the oldest minority-owned funeral home in the Northeast. Through his work in funeral service, Garland has supported generations of families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. His approach is grounded in compassion, empathy, professionalism, and a commitment to helping people navigate times of loss with dignity and care.

Garland's commitment to public service extends beyond his professional life. He currently serves as an Onondaga County Legislator representing the 16th District and chairs the County's Public Safety Committee. He also serves on the Environmental Protection Committee and the Onondaga Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Throughout his career, he has participated in numerous civic, nonprofit, educational, and community organizations, including the Dunbar Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, P.E.A.C.E., Inc., the Simmons Institute of Funeral Service, Vivian Teal Howard Nursing Home, Syracuse Gateway, the Juneteenth Planning Committee, the Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP Executive Board, and the Syracuse Developmental Board.

His dedication to community leadership is also reflected in his service as president of the Syracuse Inner City Rotary Club. He is a life member of the NAACP and the American Legion, and has been active with Bethany Baptist Church, Erving Lodge F&A Masons, and other civic and fraternal organizations. His involvement in community service and social activism reflects a longstanding belief that strong communities are built when people take responsibility for one another.

Charles is a US Navy Veteran and the father of three children.

Speaker

Dr. Warren Hilton, Ed.D

Dr. Warren M. Hilton is the ninth President of Onondaga Community College. He was selected following a nationwide search, and began in his current role July 1, 2022.

In his first year at OCC he welcomed the President of the United States to campus in conjunction with Micron's plan to invest $100 billion dollars in the region by building four chip fabs in Onondaga County. Under Dr. Hilton's leadership OCC is constructing a clean room simulation lab where future Micron technicians will be educated.

Prior to coming to OCC Dr. Hilton served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs at Kutztown University, the Dean of Enrollment Management at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), the Associate Dean for Student and External Affairs, and Assistant Professor at the Drexel University School of Public Health.
Dr. Hilton also worked at a number of higher education institutions including University of Maryland-College Park, Johns Hopkins University, Stevenson University, and Moravian College. His corporate experience includes working at Johnson and Johnson, DuPont, and Coretech Consulting.

Dr. Hilton is a thoughtful leader and sought-after speaker related to student success, enrollment management, and DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). He has authored numerous publications and presented at national and regional conferences, served as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved and the Journal of Career Development, and has secured multiple major grants and large donations. 
Dr. Hilton earned his Doctor of Education from Drexel University and his Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

He is a native of Philadelphia.