St. Paul's Center

The latest news is here with the release of our winter newsletter. In this issue we're discussing the importance of advocacy, sharing how you can get involved, celebrating volunteer Stacey Spilman, and walking you through a day in the life of one of our housing stability advocates. Check it out here: http://bit.ly/spcwinternews

In honor of the Biden/Harris inauguration, St Paul's Center is holding an inDOGuration to welcome President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the President's dogs, Champ and Major. Pets bring joy and comfort to many of us and for a number of years, Sam Jones did that for the shelter. Please join in the welcome by posting a pic of a pet that means so much to you.

Affordable housing stock has consistently declined over the past several years. Now this is affecting individuals and families living in poverty who have lost income as a result of COVID-19. We're excited to see this project come to fruition! https://www.timesunion.com//49-9-million-housing-project-b

Today we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who played a major role in the fight for fair housing and the passage of the Fair Housing Act in 1968. Throughout history, Black Americans have been subjected to housing discrimination and often barred from living in middle-class and predominantly white neighborhoods. Instead, the Black community has been forced to live in areas with substandard and unsafe housing conditions. Dr. King recognized that the fight for racial justice could not be separated from the fight for housing justice. With Black Americans representing only 13% of the general population but over 40% of individuals experiencing homelessness, we continue Dr. King's fight for racial and housing justice today.

We are so excited to announce that Shavina Richardson, our previous Director of Shelter Operations, has been promoted to Associate Executive Director. Join us in congratulating and celebrating this incredible woman in the comments below!

Evictions are happening throughout Rensselaer County! Please share to help folks at risk of eviction connect with resources to keep them healthy and housed throughout the coldest months of the year.

Our auction closes tomorrow morning at 7AM. Place your final bids on eBay to support local families experiencing homelessness this holiday season. SHOP: https://www.ebay.com/usr/stpaulscenter

Consider purchasing a handbag from our virtual auction this #GivingTuesday. For every $30 spent, a mother and child experiencing homelessness is provided with a night of shelter, food, and support services as they work to build a brighter future. Shop the auction here: https://www.ebay.com/usr/stpaulscenter

Today is #GivingTuesday an international day of giving to support our community's vulnerable populations. You have the power to make a difference and support local families in need. Join us in our fight to end homelessness by making a gift in support of St. Paul's Center and the homeless families we serve today!

Make this holiday season magical for a family experiencing homelessness by adopting a family! Adopters help local families in need and ensure that children and moms have gifts to unwrap this holiday season. If you'd like more information or to be matched a family, reach out to Jason at [email protected] or at 518-434-2910.

This #ThankfulThursday we're thanking Peter, Mark, and LaKisha at CDPHP for donating ten laptops to our Center. Many families experiencing homelessness are unable to access the technology needed for kids to stay current on schoolwork and for teens/parents to complete vocational training programs, apply for jobs and attend virtual job interviews. We're thrilled to eliminate this barrier for the families we serve moving forward. Thank you CDPHP for making this possible! #Miracleon3rdSt

It's not even Halloween and we're already thinking of the winter holidays here at the Center! From now until Friday, November 6th we're pre-selling fresh holiday wreaths to benefit the homeless families we serve. For just $25 each hand-crafted wreath is 22-24" wide, double-sided, and topped with a beautiful bow. Order online at bit.ly/2020wreathsale or by calling our Center at 518-434-2910 and asking for Charlee. PLEASE NOTE: due to the spread of COVID-19 wreaths will NOT be available for pick-up at our Center. Instead we're offering free, no-contact delivery to your local address once the wreaths have arrived.

Our second Lee Dyer Family Apartments building is coming along nicely! Big thank you to Lammon Architects, LLP for all their hard work on this project. #Miracleon3rdSt