SMC History

WCNY PBS // CYCLE OF HEALTH Syracuse Memory Cafe

The Syracuse Memory Café meets once a month at Pebble Hill and provides an opportunity for people with memory changes and their care partners to make new friends, share stories, engage in activities, and enjoy refreshments. The first cafe was held on January 8, 2017. Each café includes a gathering time with coffee, songs, a funny ice breaker always provide a plenty of laughs, some type of activity or entertainment and then plenty of time to enjoy a light lunch and conversation.

How Did We Get Here
Our church has watched helplessly as fellow members, friends, and family have traveled the long “dementia journey”. A group of us wanted to try and do something to help others in the Syracuse community traveling a similar path.

We started by having the CNY Alzheimer’s Association run a series of educational sessions on Alzheimer’s and dementia and invited members of the community. Then a member read an article about memory cafés. We did some research, gathered as much information as possible, and visited a memory café that was meeting in Cortland at the time. In late 2016 we decided it was time to give it our best shot. We held our first Syracuse Memory Café in January 2017 with four couples attending. In January of 2022 we celebrated our 5th anniversary! And while we started the café with the mindset that we are helping the individual with memory changes we quickly realized the café is just as important to the caregivers. It gives both an opportunity to laugh, sing, and socialize with others in a similar situation.
The joy, friendships, and yes even sadness that the volunteer staff at the Syracuse Memory Café has experienced has been a blessing. We look forward to the cafe’s as much as our guests and invite any and all to join us.
– The Staff of the Syracuse Memory Café

Dementia Care Scholarships

Pebble Hill has also provided scholarships to the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Dementia Care conference for caregivers who cannot afford the entrance fee.

Learn More

Support Group

In addition, as part of Pebble Hill’s ministry to educate both the church and surrounding community on the signs of Alzheimer’s and the disease's various stages, we opened our doors to an early-stage support group that meets here on the third Wednesday of each month.

Syracuse Memory Care Anniversary Celebrations

In January 2017 Pebble Hill held its first Syracuse Memory Café.
On February 9, 2022 we celebrated our Covid delayed 5th anniversary.

Celebrations & Photo Gallery

Additional Information

Syracuse Memory Cafe