Blog
Spring 2021 E-Newsletter
Executive Director's Report Raising the Nation's Youth Out of Poverty Research has long demonstrated the interconnectedness of homelessness and poor school performance; now, we’ve seen another factor added to the mix ― COVID-19. We know that for children to be able to focus and do well in school, their basic needs must be met. For those...
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,...
Call to Action: Advocate for Local Families in Need
Throughout my time serving as Board President, it has become my personal mission to advocate for families experiencing homelessness across Rensselaer County; however, this was not always the case. It was only when I became involved with St. Paul’s Center that I started to truly understand what it means to experience homelessness. While the stigma...
A Day in the Life: Jason Chaplin, Housing Stability Advocate
It’s safe to say that nonprofit professionals across sectors have seen their day-to-day change as a result of the spread of COVID-19. Things are no different here at St. Paul’s Center as our Housing Stability Advocates, who work with families living in community-based housing programs, face new challenges we couldn’t...
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 Volunteers. Cindy first became involved with St. Paul’s Center...
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 risk of...
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...
Volunteer Spotlight | Carley Starr
When Carley comes in for her volunteer shift each week, it's exciting to see how much the kids' 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...
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. 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 health equity to improve outcomes for individuals from different backgrounds.¹ If mortality...
St. Paul’s Center Goes Green: Reducing Energy Insecurity through Solar Power
With the affordable housing stock in the region continuing to shrink at rapid rates, families staying in our emergency shelter have had an increasingly difficult time finding apartments they can afford. Unfortunately, this is not a problem only being faced by the families we see coming through our doors; each year a shocking...
Volunteer Spotlight | Makaila Maier
At only 17 years old, Makaila Maier has already given so much to the families we serve at St. Paul’s Center. She was first introduced to us through a Board Member whose husband serves on the School District’s Board of Education where Makaila participates as a student representative. At the time, we were in need of all the help...
Faces of Homelessness: Camilla’s Story
Camilla came to St. Paul's Center earlier this year, pregnant with her first child after fleeing domestic violence. Although Camilla couldn't work as a result of a disabling condition, our staff was able to secure $807 per month in income made up of benefits Camilla didn't know she qualified for...
The Widespread Effects of Homelessness in Childhood
On a single night in the U.S. in 2018, more than 100,000 children were estimated to be homeless. On a cold January 2019 night in the three counties making up the Capital Region, there were 229 homeless children in families and another 45 who were unaccompanied. But that's not the whole picture. Those...
Volunteer Spotlight | Ginny O’Brien
At St. Paul’s Center, our dedicated volunteers are the backbone of our organization; donating their precious, and often limited, free time to give back to our community in a meaningful way. We are truly grateful for the homework helpers, sheltered hearts sitters, cooking instructors, and board members who...
Faces of Homelessness: Jeremiah’s Story
When Jeremiah came to St. Paul’s Center with his mother and two younger siblings it was clear that he needed our help. Somber and withdrawn, our staff knew that at only seven years old, Jeremiah was struggling to cope with the trauma he’d experienced throughout his childhood. After years of manipulation,...
Make a Difference this November | Homeless Youth Awareness Month
In 2007, November was first declared National Homeless Youth Awareness month. Since then, advocates take this time to spread awareness about the severity and long-term impacts of this widespread issue for youth and families. For many people, it’s difficult to imagine a child experiencing homelessness in the...
Stories of Survival: Shana’s Story
My name is Shana W. Gourdine and I am a three year survivor of domestic violence and abuse. This story begins in August of 2011, when my children’s father first put his hands on me. At the time, I was six months pregnant with my second daughter and terrified for my own life as well as that of my unborn...
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Volunteer Spotlight | Ginny O’Brien
At St. Paul’s Center, our dedicated volunteers are the backbone of our organization; donating their precious, and often limited, free time to give back to our community in a meaningful way. We are truly grateful for the homework helpers,...
Faces of Homelessness: Jeremiah’s Story
When Jeremiah came to St. Paul’s Center with his mother and two younger siblings it was clear that he needed our help. Somber and withdrawn, our staff knew that at only seven years old, Jeremiah was struggling to cope with the trauma he’d experienced throughout his childhood. After years of manipulation, name-calling, and...