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A Message From Our Executive Director:
Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. takes pride in the Syracuse community and in our role as a catalyst of change. Nearly 30 years ago, we embarked on a journey to reduce crime and blight while providing housing opportunities for low-moderate income families.
The outcome can be seen in the Southwest neighborhood, where we have installed more than 90 owner-occupied homes and attracted private and public investment within the community.
Join us in our mission to take the community to the next level. We can make it happen, but we can't do it without you!
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Sincerely,
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Walt
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Walter Dixie
Executive Director
Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc.
We believe that by educating our youth, providing workforce development opportunities and helping families become homeowners we can change our community for generations to come.
Our Mission
Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. is committed to revitalizing the Southwest side of Syracuse through affordable housing opportunities, workforce and entrepreneurship programming, economic development and youth development programing.
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide access to homeownership, economic growth and employment opportunities to the community to turn generational poverty into generational wealth in our community.
Meet The Team
Walter Dixie
Executive Director
Walt has served as Executive Director of Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. for over 35 years. As Executive Director he has overseen the construction and rehab over 100 properties on the City of Syracuse’s Southwest side utilizing the Time of Jubilee Community Land Trust, Jubilee Homes has been integral in rebuilding South Avenue, White Street, Tallman Avenue, Rich Street, Hudson Street and the surrounding area.
In addition to all Mr. Dixie’s work in housing development, he has also been instrumental in implementing other endeavors under the Jubilee Homes mission, which are the Southwest Economic Business Resource Center, Jubilee Homes Southwest Community Learning Farm (a project of Urban Delights/Farmstand program), and Jubilee Homes Supermarket project which created a partnership with Price Rite and open its store on South Ave in April of 2017. In addition to the tremendous work that has already been done, Mr. Dixie along with the Jubilee Homes staff, and agency partners were responsible for bringing the National YouthBuild Program to Syracuse, NY.
Walter is lifelong resident of Syracuse and a graduate of Ithaca College. He has two daughters and four grandchildren, whom he loves to spend his free time with.
Desaree Dixie
Associate Director
Desarée currently serves in the position of Associate Director at Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. She started with the agency as an Office Assistant and later as the Fiscal Manager. As she transitioned into her next role as Housing Development Coordinator, she became certified through Neighborworks, Inc. in Homebuyer Education. In her role as Program Director, Desarée has been instrumental in achieving great success of all of Jubilee Homes’ many wonderful programs and services from housing to workforce development. In 2015 she created the Build to Work Program (Workforce Development pre-employment training program) which has prepared over 400 individuals for employment and/or educational opportunities.
Desarée is a lifelong resident of Syracuse. She attended Henninger High School with a concentration in Health Careers and graduated from SUNY Albany with her Bachelor’s degree in English/Criminal Justice and Africana Studies. She is the proud mother of two and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Cherylene"Twiggy" Billue
Director of Workforce Initiatives
Twiggy has worked for Jubilee Homes for 7 years and is currently the Director of Workforce Initiatives. Twiggy continues to be a tireless advocate for our community for nearly 30 years. Twiggy also manages the Urban Delights Youth Development Program and the Urban Delights Community Learning Farm where local youth learn to grow and sell fresh produce. Twiggy was elected to the Syracuse City School Board in 2021.
Madea Holman
Build to Work Program Manager
Madea is a lifelong resident of Syracuse, NY. She attended Syracuse City Schools as well as Onondaga Community College and received an associate degree in Health Information Technology. A mom to a beautiful daughter and hairstylist by trade. Madea has been with the Jubilee Homes team for the past 6 years starting as Administrative Assistant, transitioning to the role Office Manager and looks forward to serving clients and the community in her new role as the Build to Work Program Manager.
Stacie Holloway
Business Support Specialist
Stacie Holloway has worked for Jubilee Homes of Syracuse for approximately 3 years.  She is currently the Business Support Specialist. In this role, Stacie supports small businesses in the community to ensure their success. Her tasks involve assisting small businesses with advice and opportunities to ensure compliance with laws and regulations, as well as informing them about available workshops and resources. Stacie is a mother and grandmother to three beautiful daughters and 3 gorgeous granddaughters. Stacie has been the owner of Behind the Chair beauty salon for over 15 years.
Luis Toledo-Garcia
Administrative Assistant
Luis currently serves as the Administrative Assistant at Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. Born in Puerto Rico but raised in Syracuse at the age of three, Luis graduated from Syracuse Academy of Science High School and attended Syracuse University for Business Management. He has a wide background in clinical and administrative duties. He enjoys cooking, spending time with his family and fur babies.
Quatese Funderburg
Transportation Coordinator
Quatese is currently the Transportation Coordinator at Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. As a Syracuse native she has served in the community for over 25 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant. As a mother of one daughter, Quatese’s passion and goal in life is to raise her daughter with the ability to navigate through this ever changing world boldly and fearlessly.
Se’Vaughn Harris
Van Driver
Se’Vaughn is one of the Van Drivers for the Transportation program at Jubilee Homes of Syracuse, Inc. He is a Syracuse native, raised in Liverpool, NY and graduated from Liverpool High School. He attended Onondaga Community College, and in his free time he enjoys the arts and is a fierce advocate for equality.
Charles Brown
House Project Manager
Consultants
Rita Paniagua
Small Business Consultant
Rita Paniagua was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and has been a resident in Syracuse since June of 2003. Her 40 years background in Business Administration, Fundraising and Public Relations has been instrumental to her success in Syracuse. Paniagua also brings with her experience in the field of performing arts, radio, and special events production. Since her arrival, she has been committed to serving the Syracuse community at all levels.
Aarick Knighton
Social Media/Marketing Consultant
Aarick Knighton is the Social Media and Marketing Consultant for Jubilee Homes. Born and raised in Syracuse, he is a proud graduate of Corcoran High School and Syracuse University, where he earned his degree in Information Management and Technology. Outside of work, Aarick enjoys spending time with his wife and their two dogs, and can often be found watching his favorite sports teams.
Carolyn Evans-Dean
Economic Development/Business Consultant
Carolyn retired as Onondaga County's Director of Workforce Development, and before that, she was the Deputy Director of Economic Development. As a former Jubilee Homes' employee and educator, she has a broad range of expertise, including economic development, community development, workforce development, grant writing, grant management, human resource management, employee training, safety compliance, and emergency management. With 25 years of experience in both the public and private sectors, she has dedicated her career to attracting, developing, and promoting education & STEM investment in underserved urban and rural communities.