COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Community Programs: Saint Stephen’s is privileged to be able to provide financial and volunteer assistance to many worthy social service and educational programs throughout Schenectady County. In recognition of their outstanding work, Saint Stephen’s has supported some of these programs for years. A number are located reasonably near Saint Stephen’s, and they are recommended to parishioners for volunteer service. Parishioners are encouraged to consider these programs and to contact the organizations directly to volunteer their time and talents.
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The Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) is a coalition of 52 Christian congregations which pool people and resources of member churches to act as a focus for social action in the Schenectady area.
Activities: Volunteers help in office when needed with: Copying, Collating, Mailings (Especially Newsletter Mailings) and Answering telephones. Volunteers with special skills review the financial aspects/develop budgets etc.
Further information on SICM: see Overview of 2001
Contact: Phil Grigsby O: 374-2683
Visit the SICM website.
Jobs etc, a consortium with SICM as lead under the direction of David Coplon, placed 189 participants in jobs. Staff increased outreach through regular visits to the SICM Food Pantry, the county Department of Social Services and the jail. Jobs launched a program of the state Labor Department to recruit and place -individuals in job training, placement, and job retention. Staff developed a community resources booklet for participants to help overcome barriers to employment. The center remains a recruitment site for Catholic Charities' Wheels for Work program.
Contact: David Koplon 347-2562
Emergency Food Program ( SICM ) gives emergency groceries to people in need. Saint Stephen's collects food each Sunday morning in baskets in the narthex (entrance way). The food is carried up to the altar as an offering to God, and is taken to the pantry later in the week.
The Emergency Food Program, located in the First United Methodist Church and directed by Patricia Obrecht and Nancy LaTulippe, served 23,438 individuals (duplicated number; recipients receive assistance up to four times/year). October saw the highest demand in the history of the program. Generous donors and a state grant enabled the program to keep providing food. The program continued ways of serving growing ethnic communities, such as Latinos, Muslims and Russians.
Activities: Volunteers interview people seeking our help (2 hours training, with updating 3-4 times/year); interact at the counter with people the program serves concerning their dietary restrictions, baby food, etc.); pack food bags, repack bulk items and sort food; help load and unload food pickup and commodities; drive for food; order pickup from grocery stores. Drive to Food Bank for bread and other food, weekly, or occasionally; and help with food pickup.
Off Site volunteer opportunities include serving on the Task Force (meets 8 times a year on Thursday a.m.), scheduling volunteers (6 month rotation, 2 sets of 2 people needed), speaking to groups, gleaning (go to farms/orchards to pick produce for pantry distribution), compiling statistics and results of surveys.
Contact Pat Obrecht 374-2683
The Housing Task Force (SICM) focuses on housing concerns and issues, especially by lending financial aid to non-public assistance families for security deposits.
The Housing Task Force, chaired by Eric Dahl, approved 33 security deposit loans (administered through the County Human Rights Commission), providing housing for 71 individuals. The task force celebrated the opening of a SEFCU branch in the spring. The task force encouraged congregations and individuals to open accounts, since membership is open to any who live, work or worship in the city.
Activities: It meets at lunch time monthly except summer, manages the SICM security deposit program, coordinates various housing related efforts, takes positions and addresses housing issues, and promotes and supports various related initiatives. The Task Force currently is focusing on developing and supporting affordable housing efforts, monitoring Code Enforcement efforts, Community Reinvestment Act, and Community Development Block Grants priorities. In addition to attending Task Force meeting volunteers can work on rehabilitation or new building projects.
Contact: Eric Dahl 372-6469
Phil Grigsby 374-2683
Haven - a private not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide support through its professional staff and trained volunteers to people experiencing grief from bereavement and life-threatening illness. Haven also conducts educational workshops that promote public understanding of needs of the bereaved and seriously ill. Ninety percent of its funding comes from contributions. (Information taken from "HAVEN Happenings", Winter, 1997.) Phone: (518) 370-1666. Pat Herman, 370-1666
Home Furnishings - In 1973, while driving in Schenectady, two ministers' wives noticed that a large number of chairs, sofas, etc., were being regularly discarded. They decided to collect the usable items and distribute them to needy people in our area. "Home Furnishings", which began in a garage, now has warehouse on Center Street, and an office in a church on Albany Street. The Home Furnishings Truck picks up and delivers beds, furniture, glassware, and other necessary items to those in need. There is always a need for volunteers. If you can help or have items you are willing to donate, please call (518) 346-2444.
Schenectady Home Furnishings Program with Executive Director, Nancy Gorgos, didn't lay, off for very long during the hot, humid days of summer. The furniture van was going out on a regular schedule during the month of July, under the sponsorship of the Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church. During August volunteers from St. Stephen's Episcopal Church and the Home Furnishings Program were doing donation pick-ups and deliveries.
The Home Furnishings office is still available for individuals and families to choose household items. Volunteers staff the office at Albany Street United Methodist Church for referred clients and to receive donations of household items.
Items that are especially needed include pots and pans; cookware (casseroles and baking pans); small appliances, such as coffee makers, toasters (toaster ovens), electric fry pans, etc.
Schenectady Damien Center
Activities: Living Room Volunteers perform a variety of tasks, including opening and closing the Center; listening and providing comfort and support to persons infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS; engaging guests in center activities such as playing cards, board games, and jigsaw puzzles, listening to music, watching TV and movies; preparing and serving light refreshments and meals; and maintaining the center. Dinner Committee Volunteers work at the Center's monthly dinner which is offered to guests, their friends, family members, and significant partners. Damien dinners are prepared and served by a variety of faith community and human services groups. At the dinners, volunteers open and close the dinner site and assist the dinner groups with hosting the dinner and provide clean up work. SCITT Volunteers work directly with the theater directors and teenagers in the areas of program development (such as training of health issues, theater skills, stage work, etc.), attend programs, and assist with directing and facilitating the program. HIV/AIDS training is provided for all volunteers.
Contact: Donna Stovall
Crop Walk
The CROP WALK, coordinated by
Marianne Comfort, raised $54,480 to fight hunger locally and overseas. Local
groups benefiting were the Sch'dy County Senior Meals Program (Catholic
Charities of Schenectady County), the Community Crisis Network and pantries run
by SICM and Sacred Heart/St. Columba's Church.
Activities: Volunteers recruit groups (congregations, businesses, etc.), promote the event, especially relating to the press, solicit for promotional expenses (t-shirts, etc.), enter data in the computer after the Walk, distribute various materials to walkers, help to register walkers, working with traffic/parking control, general help on the day of the walk.
Contact: Marianne Comfort O: 374-2683
Bethesda House (originated under SICM, is now independent) is a non-judgmental hospitality center serving the homeless and others in need of a safe haven or referral services.
Activities: Volunteers greet guests, listen while spending time with our guests, prepare and serve food, socialize with our guests (scrabble, cards, puzzles, chess, etc.), assist guests in placing phone calls, read with guests. Volunteers can work one on one to assist a guest with reading or writing skills, assist with referrals to other social service agencies, assist guest in filling out forms, applications, etc., and conduct a workshop or presentation talk. If volunteers cannot give of their time at the center they can donate food (especially nutritious snack items like sandwiches or soup) donate juice (especially citrus), coffee, tea, creamer, or sugar, make food pick-ups at BJ's or Price Chopper, organize a drive to collect personal hygiene products for our guests.
Contact: Peggy Anderton O: 374-7873 and see the Bethesda House WEB SITE.
Hill and Vale Neighborhoods Community Empowerment is a collection of groups which attempts to build powerful, effective local organizations which will become vehicles for leaders to participate in making decisions effecting their neighborhood.
Activities: Volunteers participate in the Hamilton Hill Neighborhood Association or the Block Association within the Vale neighborhood Volunteers help in planning for an ecumenical retreat in Hill and Vale for church members and neighborhood residents to reflect on what their faith is calling them to be and do within these neighborhoods. As time permits volunteers serve on committees or self-help programs such as the community gardens programs and support the development of a neighborhood community advisory board. Volunteers can also participate in the support of training and action for a congregational based community organizing effort in the neighborhoods.
Contact: Jim Murphy O: 346-6848
"The Communicator" is the Hill and Vale neighborhood newspaper.
Activities: Volunteers put together a monthly calendar of church and community events; solicit advertisers and subscribers ($15 annually for individuals - $60 for 5 copies- $100 for 10).
Contact: Jim Murphy O: 346-6848
Better Neighborhoods, Inc. rehabilitates homes in the inner-city of Schenectady for rent or sale to low to moderate-incomed families. Counseling in home ownership is also provided.
Activities: Volunteers assist directly with the rehabilitation of homes. They are involved in painting, carpentry and construction of all sorts.
Contact: Ed August O: 372-6469 and see their WEB SITE
Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical Christian ministry whose mission is to build simple decent, affordable houses for those unable to pursue home ownership in the conventional manner.
Activities: Volunteers work at housing sites rehabilitating homes and in the office as volunteer coordinator or with computer assistance.
Contact: Dick Marra H: 377-2071
Compass Mentoring Program is an in school, one on one tutoring program administered through the Business Education Foundation of the Chamber of Commerce.
Activities: Volunteers will be assigned to an individual student to assist him or her with their studies.
Contact: Mary Anderson O: 372-5656
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Their research based programs include She's on the Money (economic literacy), Operation SMART (Science, Math and Related Technology), Sports and Adventure, Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy, Youth Expressions theater and Career Exploration.
Activities: Volunteers can expect to work directly with girls in these afterschool and Saturday morning programs.
Contact: Kelly Koegel O: 374-9800 ext 100
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Schenectady provides children form single parent homes with adult companionship, friendship and guidance from community volunteers. Children are also given a crime prevention program and their parents are given parenting skills training.
Activities: Volunteers spend 4-6 hours each week with their assigned youth for an average of two years.
Contact: Alan Kreiger O: 374-4523
Boy Scouts of America & Girl Scout Council, Inc. provides youth activities, travel and camping for boys and girls, to instill values in young people and prepare them to make ethical choices. Scouting promotes in young people leadership skills, team work and independence.
Activities: Volunteers are trained to lead a scout troup. Troups meet once a week for 1 or 1 2 hours each week. Camping trip and travel time commitments vary with each troup. Volunteers can also be co-leaders in a troup.
Contact: Boy Scouts at 374-7733
Girl Scouts at 374-3345
AIDS Care Team support persons living with HIV/AIDS and their households. The program has enriched and changed many lives, including the team members and their home congregation.
Activities: Volunteers complete training programs, attend monthly meetings of the Team, complete required immunizations, and support each other in the Team context.
Contact: Jill Farnham O: 270-1355
Ellis Hospital Pastoral Care Department is an ecumenical group of trained volunteers who call on those in the hospital. They are trained in listening skills, confidentiality, how to make proper visits and in issues that they will meet in a hospital or nursing home setting.
Activities: Each chaplain aide receives 15 hours of special training at Ellis Hospital before being assigned to call on patients.
Contact: Ellis Hospital Pastoral Care Office 243-4000
Carver Community Center (click for their WEB site) is a neighborhood center, with sites in several schools, providing after school and remedial programs for students in grade 1 through 8. There is also evening and computer and math programing.
Activites: Volunteers can expect to help students with reading, study skill and homework.
Contact: Michael Henderson O: 374-8456
Ginny Vreeland O: 372-1825
City Mission (click for their WEB site) of Schenectady serves hot meals Monday - Friday at 6:00 pm and bag lunches from 3:15 - 4:15 pm. The Mission provides an opportunity for a man to work for his food and lodging in an established residence including structured living, counseling and spiritual guidance.
Activities: Volunteers can assist the cook in preparing and serving food.
Contact: Michael Saccacio O: 346-2275
Hospice of Schenectady
(click for their WEB site) provides health care and support services for terminally ill persons and their families.
Activities: Volunteers serve by listening, providing respite, running errands, helping
with chores, providing emotional support and as a link to the Hospice staff.
Contact: Sharon Hext O: 3 77-8846
Salvation Army Soup Kitchen is an evangelical part of the Universal Church whose message is based on the Bible, its ministry is motivated by the word of God, its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name without discrimination.
Activities: Volunteers can assist the cook in preparing and serving breakfast to 60 to 100 people.
Contact: Major Jones O: 346-0222
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