Partners - Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless

SPRING 2015
PARTNERS
A publication from Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH)
A Place to Call Home
Robert is a 64-year old man who had been homeless
for the past five years. He depended on the services
at our Sheridan Hollow Drop-In Center, a daytime
community center providing a variety of services
to both homeless and low-income individuals and
families.
Guests lined up each night to enter the Safe Haven Shelter
Once at the shelter, Robert began engaging in
In late 2014, Robert knew he wouldn’t be able to
case management services towards a goal of selfendure the incoming winter, and found a friend that
sufficiency and stability. Staff quickly connected
he paid to stay on a back porch. Although it wasn’t an
Robert with a Rapid Rehousing Program and he
ideal living situation,
was able to move into his
it provided
“I
just
wanted
to
say,
please
say
thank
you
to
whoever
very own apartment in early
some shelter from
is
responsible
for
opening
the
Safe
Haven
overnight
January. Robert has been
the elements.
shelter and letting women stay there too.
supported through continuous
It
really
helped
me.
I
really
had
nowhere
else
to
go.”
communication with IPH staff.
In an unfortunate
Quote
from
a
letter
sent
by
former
Safe
Haven
Client
after
series of events,
successfully obtaining housing.
Most recently, the Albany County
the building that
Bar Association has connected Robert with an
Robert was staying in was soon condemned by Code
attorney who successfully increased his monthly
Enforcement, leaving Robert with nowhere to go.
social security benefits, his only source of income,
from $50 per month to more than $400 per month.
The IPH Safe Haven Shelter, an overnight shelter for
homeless individuals during the cold of winter, was
Robert continues to stop by the Sheridan Hollow
not scheduled to open for another week. IPH staff
Drop-In Center to visit staff or share a joke, and he’s
provided blankets, a winter coat, and other warm
always quick to extend a handshake to thank the IPH
clothing to ensure Robert would stay safe and warm
staff for all of the care and support he’s received.
until the Safe Haven Shelter opened. Robert began
counting down the days and was one of the first
Like Robert, many clients depend on the services of
guests in line when the shelter opened on November
the Drop-In Center, and during the cold of winter,
17, 2014.
the addition of the Safe Haven Shelter provides
warmth and a place to call home for those who need
it most.
Safe Haven Shelter Season 2014-2015
•
•
•
•
Dates Operated: November 17, 2014 - March 31, 2015
306 total individuals served (26 couples, 254 singles)
25% female, 75% male
65% reported having no income
•
•
•
•
•
8% identified as veterans
Ages ranged from 18-71, with an average age of 41-50
35% reported having a disabling condition
68 persons engaged in case management services
30 persons moved into permanent living situations
#GetOffYourDonkey
By Brandon Scarincio, Intern
Christ’s Church Albany recently launched a #GetOffYourDonkey
campaign to promote community engagement and service to others.
Two members of the church, Jenna and Jason (pictured right), embraced
this challenge and decided to start a personal hygiene item drive. After
reaching out to friends and family, Jenna and Jason also utilized social
media to promote this drive. The response was incredible and they were
able to get donations from as far as California and Texas. A snowball
effect led to a whole office participating and the involvement of an
entire middle school to promote and support the drive. When the drive
ended, Jenna and Jason were able to donate 3,000 personal hygiene
items to IPH. They should be proud of their work and ability to spread
their passion for helping others amongst friends and family. Christ’s
Jenna and Jason from Christ’s Church Albany
Church Albany supports IPH all year round through meal donations and drop off more than 3,000 personal hygiene item
donations to the IPH Albany Emergency Shelter.
activities with our Summer Youth Program.
support IPH in various capacities, we
hosted a celebration to recognize
their tremendous efforts and
the impact on our programs and
services. We are truly thankful and
proud of all those who choose to
volunteer at IPH.
We Are Thankful
Without volunteers, our
organization would not be able to
serve the hundreds of individuals
and families that we do each
year. As a small thank you to just
a fraction of the volunteers who
Be a Part of It
Do you love Interfaith Partnership
for the Homeless (IPH)? Make your
commitment to the continued
growth of IPH and join the circle of
monthly donors who, together,
have an extraordinary impact on
the lives of the individuals and
families we serve.
Sign up online or give us at call to
learn more about being A Part of It.
Schedule a tour to learn more
about how you can get involved.
Contact our Outreach & Volunteer
Coordinator Clarice Nichols at
518-434-8021 x108 or
[email protected].
$10
$25
$50
per month
per month
per month
=
=
=
$120
$300
$600
Provides 100 bus
passes for guests
to use for job
transportation
and medical
appointments
Sponsors a series
of special events
for the children
of our Summer
Youth Program
Covers cost of
medical supplies
for our Health
& Wellness
Program for an
entire year
per year
per year
per year
PRESENTED BY
DIAMOND GOBLET
Wells Fargo
GOLD PLATE
Hoffman Car Wash
Jiffy Lube
Tri City Rentals
SILVER SPOON
Good to
the last bite!
#TOAturns10
April 30, 2015
A Taste of Albany is a culinary showcase of Capital Region restaurants and benefit
for Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH). This year marked the 10th annual
A Taste of Albany and we celebrated with red carpet entrance, entertainment by the
Grand Central Station Trio, live and silent auctions, and great views from the NYS
Museum Terrace Gallery.
With the support from our generous sponsors, restaurants, and supporters, more
than $130,000 was raised for the programs and services of IPH.
Thank you to everyone who was a part of the 10th Annual A Taste of Albany!
Berkshire Bank
CDPHP
Crisafulli Brothers
RBC Capital Markets
FLAVOR
Albany Pump Station
Brown’s Brewing Co.
CAYP
KeyBank
Paul & Patricia Gioia
Pulse Entertainment
Rex-Goliath
ShopRite Supermarkets
Upstate Wine & Spirits, Co.
BRONZE POT
Arthur J. Gallagher and Company
Atsco Products
Buckley, Gent, MacDonald & Cary, P.C.
Capital Bank
CDTA
DePaula Chevrolet
HP
NYS Museum
Nigro Companies
M.M. Hayes Co., Inc.
Rose and Kiernan, Inc.
St. Mary’s Healthcare
The Jandreau Investment Group of Wells
Fargo Advisors, LLC
COPPER KETTLE
RESTAURANTS
Albany Pump Station
Grandma Millie’s Bakery
Angelo's 677 Prime
Healthy Café Catering Co.
Brown's Brewing Co.
The Honest Weight Food Co-op
Barcelona Restaurant
The Merry Monk
The Barrelhouse
Milano
Cider Belly Doughnuts
New World Bistro Bar
Creo
No Scone Unturned
Crisan Bakery
Old Daley Catering
El Mariachi Mexican Restaurant
One Six Five at
Normanside Country Club
Grappa '72
SEE EVENT
PICTURES AT
Pasta Pane
Provence
Roma Foods
The Ruck
Scrimshaw at the Desmond Hotel
Soul Kitchen
Stacks Espresso Bar
Texas de Brazil
Umana Restaurant & Wine Bar
Villa Italia Bakery
We Do Fondue
Yono's
www.atasteofalbany.com
Albany.com
Best Cleaners
First Light
Kelly Family Cuidiú Foundation
Metro Ford Sales, Inc.
National Center for Excellence in Human
Services
Northco Products, Inc.
Sunmark Federal Credit Union
IN-KIND
New York State Museum
The Mailworks
Morgan Linen Service, Inc.
Webvalve
MEDIA
Albany Business Review
Digital X-Press
News Channel 13
Prost, Inc.
Voices of Hope 2015
By Brandon Scarincio, Intern
For more than 20 years, the Voices of Hope concert and benefit for the
children’s program of IPH has been a successful event. This year,
The First United Methodist Church in Delmar hosted the concert,
and it didn’t disappoint! Performers at the event included the Capital
District Youth Chorale, The Music Studio of Albany Pianists and
“Offchestra”, SUNY Albany Chamber Singers, and the Chancel Choir of
Delmar Methodist. More than $3,801 was raised for the IPH Summer
Youth Program, supporting the children of Arbor Hill and Sheridan
Hollow neighborhoods for ten weeks during the summer.
The event also recognized Pamela Clark Robbins, CEO of Policy
Research Associates, and Thelma Seifridsberger, a successful IPH
client now living in a supportive housing environment, for the Norm
Elfeldt Award 2015, an award given in memory of the former church
member’s commitment to IPH.
Double Your Donation
We are asking for your support to help us continue our work AND
participate in an anonymous matching gift opportunity.
An anonymous donor will make a donation for IPH’s Safe Haven
Shelter if an equivalent amount can be raised. The matching
donations must be new money, meaning they are from brand new
donors or are increased donations from existing donors. Our goal
is to raise $20,000, which will be matched by the donor for a total
of $40,000 towards IPH’s Safe Haven Shelter.
Help us introduce a new friend to IPH. Any size donation from a
new donor will help us get closer to the matching opportunity.
(Need some information? We can provide information for friends, family, colleagues,
or other contacts that you have).
Review your donation made to IPH during 2014. An increased
amount that you choose to contribute this year will help us get
closer to the matching opportunity.
(Need a reminder? We can share details on your 2014 donation so that you can
make an informed decision).
PARTNERS
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH)
176 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
P: (518) 434-8021 F: (518) 432-7148
www.interfaithpartnership.com
ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Janine Robitaille Christine McDonough
Executive Director Director of Finance &
Operations
Kristen Giroux
Bonnie St. Onge
Assistant Director Director of Development
Mark Your Calendar
Save the date! Promotions for each event to
follow in the coming weeks.
JUN
24
AUG
21
AUG
26
NOV
1
DEC
1
Breakfast Tour | 8:00 a.m.
IPH Albany Emergency Shelter
Burger21 Fundraiser | All Day
Burger21, Latham
Breakfast Tour | 8:00 a.m.
IPH Albany Emergency Shelter
Homelessness Awareness
Month
All Month Long
#GivingTuesday | All Day
Make your donation to IPH
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Gardam - President
Amanda Avery - Vice President
Heather Larkin, Ph.D. - Secretary
John Puig - Treasurer
John Bryan
Carrie Hoffman
Eric R. Hardiman, Ph.D.
John Prividera
Bernie Ramos
Paul Schroeder
Paul W. Thurston, Jr., Ph.D.
Printing of this
newsletter is
generously
donated by