Schenectady Nonprofits and Charities

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I have taken care of my Aunt and Uncle and special-needs cousin since 2018. At that time my Uncle, 99, fell to the floor with pneumonia and my Aunt, 92, trying to lift him, cracked her pelvis. Both ended up incapacitated; Uncle Warren went to the hospital; he went from being able to walk and drive a car to confined to a wheel chair; Aunt Austra could no longer go grocery shopping or even get out of bed to go to the bathroom without severe pain. Their son, Cousin Kevin, 54, schizophrenic since age 18, was used to them driving him to doctor's appointments and grocery stores. Suddenly, the household came to an abrupt stop. No food in the kitchen. No bills being paid. No relatives or friends nearby. As one of their only retired relatives, I stepped in to help. I live in Oklahoma and they live in Schenectady, NY. You can imagine there were some challenges. One of the amazing things Austra said to me when I flew in to get things organized was "One thing you need to do is get a trash pick up service." - Uncle Warren had been driving all trash and recyclables to a pickup station every week - at age 99!<br><br>Umbrella has been instrumental in meeting one significant challenge: allowing all three of them to stay in their home. Umbrella assessed the home situation and recommended safety upgrades and maintenance at a very reasonable price. One of their employees has been able to take Kevin to get food and pick up medications whenever he needs. The head of Umbrella even came to the house to coach Austra, who was very hard of hearing, on how to use a tablet to communicate.<br><br>Certainly there were other challenges such as getting an in-home doctor and care givers to look after Warren and Austra. Warren made it to 102, passing in 2020. And Austra died at 97 last year, 2023. Kevin is still living in the family house, learning a few new skills (still doesn't drive, use a cell phone, or internet), and relying on Umbrella recently to fix a broken sliverware drawer and kitchen faucet. <br><br>I think Umbrella of the Capital District provides an outstanding service. The NY Capital District is lucky to have this organization. I don't know of any other area that has anything like this personal service.<br><br>Beth Rooney, Tulsa, Oklahoma

I am a HUGE fan of Special Olympics New York!!! I'm a business leader in the Albany, NY region. Several years ago, I volunteered to participate in an SO leadership council where I was able to mentor an athlete in the areas of public speaking and presenting her incredible story. It was the beginning of a friendship. Special Olympics paired me up with a gymnast, which is also a sport I have a lot of interest and experience in. I learned about Maddie's life story and we had so much fun creating a presentation that she can give others about why the organization is so meaningful to her life. Over the years, I have kept in touch with Maddie and cheered her on from the sidelines. My daughter and I even went to Florida to watch her compete! Maddie has taught me so much. She is not only a talented athlete and leader, she is a wonderful and caring person who has an impact on everyone she meets. I am so thankful to Special Olympics for all they do!

We first began to follow them on their Facebook page where they have posted some of the most heart-wrenching photos of the many cats and kittens they are trying to help... to save. They are always in need of financing because their vet bill are gigantic, yet they never turn away a cat/kitten in need.

We will become the world's preferred supply chain logistics applying insight, service quality, and invocation to create sustainable growth for business and society. <br> <br> <br>We strongly believe that we will meet each customer’s needs and preferences by providing quality service, logistics competencies, high ethical standards, and a friendly experienced team while also creating consistent value for our shareholders.

I was looking for volunteer opportunities in my area and happened across Whispering Willow. They were immediately friendly, motivated to get me started, and incredibly receptive to new ideas.

I am so grateful that I have been able to help Sherain Rivera Founder of Raindrops Closet For Homeless Families. She is herself and her 6 children were homeless a few years ago. Because of the help she received , getting back on her feet, she decided to give back and created Raindrops Closet.For Homeless Families.<br><br>Sherain is the most dedicated person i have ever met. She sets her goals and does not give up until she reaches them. She is very honest and trustworthy and treats everyone lie they are her family. <br><br>Please help her reach her goals and help get all of the homeless families off the streets and into their forever homes.They would just love to sleep in a nice warm bed, cook in their own kitchens and most all be able to use a bathroom in private.

Doctor is good nurse is good , others I won't say ... please change how the scripts are done ! Between the three secretary that are in there One of them should be able to write down a message for scripts ! I can't stand they make you talk to a machine for scripts! When I call my doctors office for me my husband or other 3 kids meds I talk to a person . One of the reason doctors have a secretary to put their patients at ease knowing that there concerns are being heard and what they need is being taken care of !

I am extremely impressed with the good work this organization provides to the residents of the City of Schenectady. It's leader, Rayn Boncie, is passionate and extremely dedicated to its on-going success. She is a very creative and resilient leader that has been able to overcome many obstacles to be able to provide an array of services to at-risk children and their families in abusive or neglectful situations. Things of My Very Own is truly a blessing for Schenectady.

I've been helping out at Quest for a little over a year now, and it has been an incredible experience. I was looking for a place to volunteer at and I met Judy Atchinson who started the after school program. I was inspired and wanted to help but didnt know how. I dont have experience with inner city children. Judy just said, go play with them, so I did, and have been helping out ever since. We have a blast, playing hide and go seek, dodgeball, tag, or even reading some books together. The children just want to be children and enjoy themselves, and Quest provides a safe, encouraging environment with free meals to help them grow.

I was very impressed with the attendance at the SkyWatch Lecture "Curiosity on Mars: Roving the Red Planet". Seeing pictures taken only the day before was astonishing. The speaker, Laurie Leshin, did an outstanding job! <br>

African Well Fund is the perfect example of how little it can take to make a meaningful, tangible impact on so many lives. With limited resourses at its disposal, what AWF has been able to accomplish in 10 years is inspiring and nothing short of remarkable.

The current administration of the Society has been following its By-Laws to the letter. All of the appropriate paper work has been sent to the IRS and NYS Regents. Sound accounting and fiscal practices are being meet by the Societies Board. ALL donations are being used for their intended purpose, the start up of the ALCO Heritage Museum. The Society is very sorry that the previous administration was not entirely successful with its accounting practices. They were learning how to administrate the correct procedures in various fiscal matters. The current administration is working very hard to perform all of their fiduciary duties according to the law.

Awful organization do not give them any money they exploit people with disabilities and profit off of them. They are defrauding NYS tax payers the people running this are con men.