Blog
Salvage and Shine Partners with St. Paul’s Center
Salvage & Shine is a boutique jewelry store whose goal is to showcase innovation and creativity by creating wearable art jewelry. Â Each piece is handmade with love and combines the unexpected in a glamorous way by sourcing salvaged, recycled, and ethically sourced materials from all over the world. Alessandra's second goal is to...
The Dangers of a Heatwave
The Dangers of a Summer Heatwave: How you can help those experiencing homelessnessExcessive heat causes more weather-related deaths in the United States than hurricanes, flooding and tornadoes combined. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC),...
February 2022 Newsletter
In our February newsletter we acknowledge local school children who are making a difference, learn about our Women’s Empowerment program, and share exciting news about 2022 event, “For the Love of Bags and Bling”.
Winter 2022 Newsletter
Executive Director's Report Celebrating our Sweet Sixteen Sweet sixteen parties were not in fashion back in the stone age when I was 16 and looking back at it, that was a shame. It’s not that I wanted a party but it’s more that I really like what comes from a sweet sixteen party. It’s an opportunity to celebrate who...
Preparing to Move Forward with a GED
The Center is proud to provide more than just shelter to the mothers and children we serve. In the past three years, 40% of the women sheltered at the Center have less than a high school diploma. The lack of education is a significant barrier to finding employment and moving toward financial independence. Earning a GED is a difficult task that takes determination, focus, and the right...
Volunteer Spotlight: Fuerza Latina
Like many other nonprofits around the Country, our volunteer programs were forced to shift as a result of the public health crisis. We're so thankful to volunteer groups like UAlbany's Fuerza Latina who have continued to reach out and provide support to our families throughout these uncertain times. Earlier this...
Faces of Homelessness: The Davis’ Story
When COVID-19 began spreading early last year, we knew that the families we serve would be among those hit hardest. Unfortunately, we were right, and in a time when we should be pulling together, landlords across the Capital Region continue to...
Women’s Empowerment Program: Using Empowerment as a Catalyst for Long-Term Housing Success
At St. Paul's Center we're proud to provide more than just shelter to the mothers and children we serve. Through our work with families experiencing homelessness we've seen just how impactful holistic support services can be in fostering a family's long-term stability when transitioning from...
Winter 2021 E-Newsletter
Executive Director's Report Housing and health have always been intimately linked– but never has that been more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic. At a time when key prevention measures are to stay home, wear a mask, and practice good hygiene, almost 600,000 men, women and children are experiencing homelessness. These individuals and families have no home to stay in, often don’t have...
Volunteer Spotlight: Cindy Harrington
Like many of our housing programs, our volunteer programs have been forced to adapt as a result of the spread of COVID-19. To ensure the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and the families we served many of these programs have been suspended, but that hasn’t stopped Cindy, one of our long-standing Special Events...
Homelessness in America: Racial Inequities and the Black Community
We know that most racial minority groups experience homelessness disproportionately to their white counterparts; however, the Black community is particularly affected by this disparity.¹ Nationwide, while only 13% of people are Black, this community makes up a shocking 40% of the homeless population at any given time.¹ This...
Summer E-Newsletter
Executive Director's Report These are crazy times we’re in and it’s forced me to take a good look at myself. Like many others, the spread of COVID-19 has brought out the clean freak in me - although you wouldn’t realize it looking at my office. In the past, germs never really bothered me nor did...
The Silent Effects of Distance Learning on Homeless Youth
With all New York State schools closed for the remainder of the academic year, families across the State are adjusting to distance learning. Nevertheless, students experiencing homelessness who often lack access to a computer, reliable internet, or even a quiet space to study are working to overcome more...
Spring 2020 Newsletter
Executive Director's Report The Financial Reality for Families Across America It’s easy to dismiss the challenges that face families experiencing homelessness by assuming it won’t ever happen to you or your family; however, new reports show that not only is it possible, but more Americans than ever are at...
Affordable Housing is Headed Your Way | Lee Dyer Family Apartments Virtual Tour
After years of hard work, sweat, and a few tears, renovations are finally coming to a close on our new Lee Dyer Family Apartments. The first of two buildings located in downtown Rensselaer will provide permanent supportive housing to four families with a history of homelessness. In addition to stable...
Volunteer Spotlight | Carley Starr
When Carley comes in for her volunteer shift each week, it's exciting to see how much the kids'Â faces light up - especially because Carley's arrival means its homework time at the Center. As a Homework Helper, Carley provides the one-on-one attention many homeless children crave, all while helping students...
Improving Outcomes: Using Social Determinants of Health to Address Healthcare Disparities
In recent years, health care disparities have become an important issue facing individuals and families across the United States. Â Historically, funding has focused on the development of technological advances to improve health outcomes for Americans; however, there has been much less focus on increasing...
What Living in Poverty Means in the Wake of COVID-19
With cases of COVID-19 continuing to rise and well over 120,000 confirmed cases in New York State alone, making up roughly half of all cases in the United States, public health officials continue to recommend social distancing in order to slow the spread of the virus. While older adults and individuals with...