SCHENECTADY INNER CITY MINISTRY
OVERVIEW of 2001
Schenectady Inner City Ministry (SICM) celebrates the
partnership of 55 member congregations from 15 denominations/judicatories.
Congregations partner in ministries of
social service, social education, social witness and social action. The SICM
Newsletter and specific
financial/program information are available from SICM at
PUBLIC ISSUES MINISTRY
SICM focused on Welfare Reform through research, coalition building, and networking. SICM launched a Welfare Reform Advocacy Network to inform the upcoming debate over the reauthorization of TANF (Temmporary Assistance for Needy Families, the new name for welfare). SICM participated in a National Council of Churches welfare reform conference, which identified key issues.
SICM provided leadership for a Homeownership Initiative that implemented a "for proposal" process for homes acquired by the city due to delinquent taxes. SICM chaired a Mayor's Task Force on housing, which led to several recommendations for changes in the city's housing policies.
SICM's involvement with Police and community issues intensified with a campaign to change the civilian review board and related issues. The Social Justice Committee was appointed to the special task force on civilian review, until resigning in the fall. The committee withdrew when it became clear that no significant progress would be made. A major recommendation of the Committee, to appoint a police commissioner, was approved in a modified form by the Mayor and City Council, which called for creation of a public safety commissioner to oversee both the police and fire department.
Pat Obrecht of the Food Program provided leadership in the
updating of a countywide hunger study. The report found that 18 percent of
residents experience some level of food insecurity,
or uncertainty about the availability of safe and nutritious food, which
contrasts with an average of 10 percent across
RESPONSE TO 9/11
Shocked and stunned, SICM members mobilized on local responses. SICM provided leadership in several ecumenical and interfaith services, including a memorial service for former Commissioner Charles Mills. Members reached out directly to the local mosque. Congregations participated in a full-page ad in the Gazette, which expressed our hopes for respect in our communities.
NEW AND ONGOING MINISTRIES
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.
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.
Save and Share Food Buying Co-op, directed by Cindy Hofer, served an average of 311 each month. Transitions in the supplier led to regrouping with a new unit from the Niskayuna Food Coop, which with special units, led to growth in customers. Although open to all, the primary customers continued to be families just above the limits for various types of governmental assistance.
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.
Appliance Matching, coordinated by volunteer Susan Hawkes-Teeter, matches donors with those needing major appliances. In 2001, she placed 6 washing machines, 4 dryers, 9 refrigerators, 5 electric stoves, 4 gas stoves, 1 microwave oven, and 1 freezer.
Summer Food Program,
directed by Rachel Graham, served 20,694 lunches to youth at seven sites,
including a new
Youth Initiative, coordinated by Rachel Graham, provided support to existing church-based after school tutoring and mentoring programs and helped launch two others in the Vale and Central State Street neighborhoods. A Youth Ministry Task Force began looking at projects that will bring youth groups from various congregations together in service. A major focus was COCOA House (cf elsewhere).
COLLABORATIONS
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.
AmeriCorps
started a new year with a new sponsor based in
The Committee for Social Justice followed up a specific proposal to the City for an independent review board as well as other proposals to address police-community relations (cf above for detail). The committee's recommendation for accreditation was endorsed after vigorous debate.
The Community Crisis Network, which provides referrals and direct assistance to those in need who had been knocking on church doors for aid celebrated another year. The level of requests for rental assistance grew dramatically during the year and the network had to suspend assistance in this area pending more resources. The staff is located at the Schenectady Community Action Program and offers some evening hours.
Schenectady County Embraces Diversity engages community members (adults and youth) in study circles on racism and race relations. A pilot high school project was well received and SCED plans for a middle school project SCED sponsored a special forum on Islam and responses to terrorism in the wake of 9/11.
TRANSITIONS
SICM bade a farewell to Joan LaMonica, SICM's Finance Officer and Ken McHeard at JOBS. Tom Gilmartin rejoined SICM replacing Joan and Lisa Steagall. Thurman replaced Ken. Nancy LaTulippe started to assist Pat Obrecht as Food Program Director. SCITT (Schenectady Citizens In1provisational Teen Theater) performed its final presentation early in the year and members were invited to join other area theater troupes.
NEW MINISTRIES DEVELOPMENT
From the 2000 planning retreat, SICM continued to focus on new initiatives with youth and housing. COCOA (Children of Our Community Open to Achievement) House, an after school program on Steuben Street, became affiliated with SICM and embarked on a project to renovate a building to provide more space for children and programming. It is a program of Grace Temple Church of God in Christ. Several housing initiatives became reality through development of the "for proposal" process for city properties and the development of a city housing strategy.
CELEBRATlONS
SICM was honored to be chosen as part of a national
community ministries study by the Interfaith Community Ministry Network. A
researcher for the project, which was funded by the Annie E.Casey Foundation,
spent a couple of days in
DEVELOPMENT
The Rachel Fund,
SICM's endowed fund named for long-time SICM supporter Rachel Rowe, declared
success in meeting a challenge from a local foundation for a match. The fund
honored all donors at a reception in January, and announced a small initial
distribution to aid the
Support of SICM
comes from a wide variety of religious groups, private foundations, government
sources and thousands of individuals. SICM is grateful to all, including member
and non-member congregations, denominations, GE' s More Gifts. ..More Givers,
CFC (federal employees) and SEF A (state
Employees Federated Appeal). Special thanks to congregations that host SICM
programs: First United Methodist (Food Pantry), Sacred Heart.St. Columba's (