CAPTAIN Community Human Services (CHS) is proud to announce the expansion of homeless services for youth and adults, including the grand opening of a full-time Gloversville office – all thanks to funding from the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA).
The ribbon cutting for the new office will be held at 10:00am on November 6th, at the office’s location inside the First Congregational United Church of Christ (31 E. Fulton Street, Gloversville). The building is fully handicapped accessible. State and local officials and supporters are scheduled to attend, including NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Michael Hein, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, Assemblyman Robert Smullen, Fulton County Department of Social Services Commissioner Anne Solar, Montgomery County Department of Social Services Commissioner Mike McMahon, Amsterdam Mayor Michael Villa, and Gloversville Mayor Vincent DeSantis, along with a representative from US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s office and the Fulton-Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, among others.
“CAPTAIN CHS has long provided services for homeless and at-risk-of-becoming-homeless youth in Fulton and Montgomery Counties, but this grant allows us to expand from a once-weekly Youth Drop-in Center to a fulltime office,” said Associate Executive Director Andy Gilpin. “We’re also proud to expand our Solutions to End Homelessness Program into Fulton and Montgomery County, which allows us to work with youth, individuals, and families who are truly homeless so that they can secure permanent housing and have hope for a new future.”
The new funding, being announced as part of CAPTAIN CHS’ commemoration of National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, allows two full-time staff dedicated to an on-the-street presence to find, connect with, and provide services to runaway and homeless youth ages 13-24 to help resolve their homeless situation, leave the streets, and find permanent housing. Another part-time staff member will work specifically on STEHP Rapid Rehousing services.
The Solutions to End Homelessness Program (STEHP) provides assistance for individuals and families to remain in or obtain permanent housing, and assistance with supportive services during their experience of homelessness, the eviction process, and housing stabilization. Federal funds allocated from the Department of Housing and Urban Development combined with New York State homeless assistance funds comprise STEHP funding. CAPTAIN CHS was awarded $162,955 annually for 5 years by OTDA to support our expanded homeless services. With this funding, CAPTAIN CHS can have a dedicated presence in the communities within Fulton and Montgomery Counties and make a significant impact on preventing and ending homelessness.
“Our community partnerships are what helped make this expansion possible, including the generous support of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Gloversville and the 100 Women Who Care of the Adirondack Foothills,” continued Gilpin. “Working together, we can lift people up and build brighter futures in Fulton and Montgomery Counties.”
CAPTAIN CHS’ Gloversville office is located in the First Congregational United Church of Christ at 31 East Fulton Street in Gloversville which has a long history of community service. The Church generously provides the space and church members assist in coordinating volunteers for the weekly Drop-In Center and aid the program by collecting goods and items to support the youth.
The 100 Women Who Care of the Adirondack Foothills chose CAPTAIN CHS’ Street Outreach Project as the recipient of their third quarter donation, enabling CAPTAIN CHS to purchase a van dedicated to connecting with homeless and at-risk-of-becoming-homeless youth in Fulton and Montgomery Counties. The 100 Women Who Care’s leadership will be presenting a check at the event, in front of the new van.
CAPTAIN CHS’ Street Outreach Project team makes meaningful connections with displaced, homeless, exploited and trafficked youth to gain their trust and help them move beyond their current situations on the streets. The Rapid Rehousing Program is focused on helping homeless individuals and families secure permanent housing. For more information, call 518-371-1185 or visit our website at www.captaincares.org.
