Our nonprofits are rising to meet nearly impossible challenges, adapting to change, and serving their clients under increased pressure. Whether it’s through virtual meetings, meal delivery service, or COVID-19 cleanups, these Community Loan Fund borrowers continue to provide vital services even in the midst of this pandemic.
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Albany Community Land Trust specializes in acquiring and rehabilitating vacant properties for sale to first time homebuyers or to retain as permanently affordable rental housing. Their mission is to develop affordable housing opportunities for low-income people, preserve housing affordability for future generations, combat community deterioration by promoting economic opportunities in low-income neighborhoods, and educate the general public about ongoing and innovative methods of community development.
The Arts Center of the Capital Region is presenting a series of online art classes, to help individuals and families stay creative during their quarantine. Funded by the Troy Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, the workshops are led by artist Kim Tateo who guides viewers through fun projects that you can do with supplies you find around the house. The workshops are presented as a six-week series and include tutorials on printmaking and DIY Tempura paint. Stay tuned on their Facebook page for more great workshops!
Battenkill Community Services is providing meal delivery services for shut-ins who are at high-risk of developing the virus. The team is providing safe meal transport across the community, delivering to students in Greenwich Central School District. They continue their collaboration with their local food pantry by transporting all of their food orders from the Regional Food Bank in Latham, to Greenwich. Located in Greenwich, Battenkill Community Services helps adults with developmental disabilities and their families with a day program, respite care, and supportive employment. During the COVID crisis they have launched an online version of their day program to keep clients connected with one another and engaged.
Habitat for Humanity is able to convert vacant buildings into homes for families, and turn once-blighted areas into family-friendly neighborhoods that meet a community’s growing need for affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity builds homes with homebuyers—not for them—as equal partners. Habitat homeowners build alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage and other regular expenses that come with owning a home. Homeownership builds strength, stability, independence and opportunity for families and communities.
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless provides services and case management to 2,000 homeless individuals each year. As a result of their aid, hundreds of homeless individuals and families have obtained housing, and hundreds more have successfully remained housed. At IPH, guests meet with case managers and attend life skill classes and healthy activities. They can also receive additional support to help them focus on improved health, employment, and housing stability.
Living Resources was founded in 1983 to provide people with disabilities a small home where they could develop more fully as individuals. Today, the agency includes group residences serving 250 individuals, 800+ employees, and supports more than 2,000 individuals and their families in an expansive array of services. Living Resources includes day programs, after-school programs, employment training, art studios, and the College Experience Program, which provides individuals with developmental disabilities and brain injury survivors, a college education and job skills training.
The Palace Theatre first opened its doors on October 23, 1931 with a screening of Devotion, starring Anne Howard and Leslie Howard. Since 2007, the theater has hosted live music, stage, comedy performances and screened films. It also holds annual screenings of Rocky Horror Picture Show, It’s A Wonderful Life, and The Three Stooges Film Festival. It also is home to Grammy Award-winning Albany Symphony Orchestra. Buy tickets for an upcoming show or a gift certificate. Your support will be greatly appreciated by this landmark theatre. The Palace has been closed since March due to COVID, but intends to reopen this spring. You can also purchase gift memberships or donate to the theatre in someone’s name. For more information about gift certificates, call the Palace Box Office at 518-465-4663.
The Refugee Welcome Center provides housing and supportive services to refugees living in Albany’s West Hill. With the COVID-19 health crisis, many of the refugees in this community have been laid off and are having difficulty making ends meet. To assist, volunteers from CrossFIT donated fresh eggs, volunteers from Redeemer Church donated fresh fruits and vegetables, and several local restaurants donated surplus food. The families, which often include small children, have been grateful for the assistance.
SEAT Center has transformed their relational based education model to virtual in just a matter of weeks. The SEAT Center provides training and education programs for underrepresented populations, businesses and communities. The program combines high school education with job training and community service projects so that graduates emerge with employable skills and experience. During the COVID crisis, all their classes are continuing virtually, and to keep young people engaged they’re offering online meetings and activities, including game nights. The organization’s leadership also continues to do regular wellness checks with their clients and their staff.
Second Chance Opportunities is on the front lines of keeping public spaces clean during this pandemic. The agency, which employs people who are in recovery from substance abuse disorders, has janitorial crews cleaning and sanitizing rest sites along the highway as well as the new SUNY COVID-19 testing site. Second Chance also helps people in recovery remain sober through virtual meetings and other online resources.
Troy Savings Bank Music Hall was established by the Troy Savings Bank in 1870 as a gift of appreciation to the citizens of Troy. The music hall was constructed on the upper floor of the bank’s headquarters, and musical talent the world over has performed on its stage. In fact, prior to World War II, few musical acts came to the U.S. without making an appearance at the bank hall. Today, the music hall still welcomes some of the most prestigious names in classical, jazz, and contemporary music. The hall is world-renowned for its acoustics, making every seat a good seat. Buy tickets for an upcoming show or a gift certificate and you’ll be helping this legendary music hall survive COVID. You can also purchase gift memberships. Members enjoy a range of benefits including ticket discounts and exclusive events. Please call the box office at (518) 273-0038 to purchase.
