Schenectady Community Action Program

Summer is about to get a lot more fun, Schenectady! 🍉

Join the Summer Meals Block Parties for FREE food and family-friendly activities at parks across the city, all summer long.

📅 Tuesday, June 30 | Noon-3 PM | Jerry Burrell Park (Kickoff Party!)
📅 Tuesday, July 14 | 4:30-6:30 PM | Central Park
📅 Tuesday, July 28 | 11 AM-1 PM | Steinmetz Park
📅 Tuesday, August 11 | 4:30-6:30 PM | Hillhurst Park
📅 Tuesday, August 25 | Noon-2 PM | Jerry Burrell Park

No registration, no cost, just good food and a good time. Bring the whole family.

More info: 518SummerMeals.org

Just another example of Schenectady and its many wonderful community partners, including United Way of the Greater Capital Region, committed to making sure no kid in this city goes hungry this summer.

We're so grateful to the Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region for their $15,000 grant to Project LAUNCH. This funding helps us provide mental health screenings, behavioral health services, and special education advocacy to families across Schenectady County who need it most.

In the past eight months alone, Project LAUNCH screened 150 individuals and supported 43 families navigating special education services. For families in our community where nearly 1 in 3 children live in poverty, these services make the difference between a child getting the support they need and falling through the cracks.

If you or a family you know needs help accessing mental health services or special education support, reach out. Project LAUNCH is here to help.

📞 (518) 374-9181
🌐 https://tinyurl.com/y6vch8rc

One week to go! 🏡

The Leadership Capital Region Class of 2026 is making a final push to reach their fundraising goal for the Sojourn House Transformation Project. They need about $1,000 more to complete the last few items and maximize the impact for the families we serve.

If you’ve been following this journey, please consider making a donation or sharing this with friends, family, and coworkers. Every dollar brings us closer to the finish line—and closer to creating a beautiful, welcoming home for mothers and children experiencing homelessness.

Donate: https://lnkd.in/en-jb5hV

Join us for the Ribbon Cutting:
📍 1567 Union Street, Schenectady
📅 Tuesday, June 9 at 1:30 PM

Thank you for believing in this mission! 💙

Sixty years ago, SCAP opened its doors in Schenectady County with a simple conviction: that people, given the right support, can build better lives for themselves and their families.

Today, that mission is alive in every classroom, every case file, every family we walk alongside. We're grateful to be part of something that has always mattered, and that matters now more than ever.

To our staff, our partners, and everyone who makes this work possible: thank you.

Tonight is the night! 🎉 Electric City SummerFest kicks off its 2026 season on North Broadway in downtown Schenectady, and SCAP is proud to be one of this year's charity partners.

Every Thursday starting at 5:30 PM, SummerFest brings live music, food and drinks, vendors, and free, all-ages fun to the heart of the Electric City. Tonight's entertainment features The Wheel, a Grateful Dead tribute band.

Here's the best part: a portion of tonight's proceeds goes directly to SCAP, helping us continue to serve children, families, and community members right here in Schenectady County.

Come out, enjoy the music, and know that your night out is making a difference. 🎶✨

📍 North Broadway, Schenectady
⏰ 5:30 PM | Free & All Ages

May is , and we're proud to be part of a national network of nearly 1,000 agencies working every day to help families move out of poverty.

Here's what that looks like in Schenectady County:
◆ Nearly 4,000 households served annually
◆ 97% of clients showed improvement in at least one life domain
◆ 500 children in our Early Learning programs
◆ 90¢ of every dollar goes directly to services

For 60 years, SCAP has been helping people help themselves. That's Community Action. That's our promise.

60 years ago, SCAP opened its doors to Schenectady County's youngest learners. We're still here!

Our 2025 Early Learning Program Annual Report is now available. This year, 295 children ages birth through five were enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnerships. And two alumni - Liala Kanan, now a Penn State graduate, and Kylea Tellis, now a licensed daycare provider and community leader - show what a strong foundation can build over a lifetime.

Read their stories and see the full impact at www.scapny.org/publications

Memorial Day Closure Notice

SCAP will be closed Monday, May 25th in observance of Memorial Day.

We'll reopen Tuesday, May 26th at 8:30 AM.

Today we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage and dedication will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

Need services while we're closed? Access our Customer Portal 24/7 at www.scapny.org

Our 2025 Annual Report is here - and what a year it was to celebrate.

In SCAP's 60th anniversary year, we served 7,000+ people across Schenectady County. 95% of families receiving housing services maintained stable housing. 95 individuals gained employment or developed new skills. 76 women and children found safety at Sojourn House. And one family's story - Jennifer, Jay, and CJ - shows what it looks like when the right support arrives at exactly the right moment.

Six decades of showing up. Read the full report at www.scapny.org/publications

SCAP is proud to be part of Elmer Gardens! 🏫➡️🏠

Yesterday, New York State Homes & Community Renewal joined Better Community Neighborhoods, Inc. (BCNI) and Home Leasing to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Elmer Gardens - a stunning $23 million transformation of the historic Elmer Avenue Elementary School into 51 affordable apartments for seniors aged 55+!

SCAP's Role: We're honored to provide on-site supportive services for 26 apartments dedicated to residents experiencing homelessness. Our team will deliver individualized assistance to help residents maintain stable housing and independent living - because everyone deserves a safe, supportive place to call home. 💙

Why this matters: Affordable senior housing allows older adults to remain in their community, close to family, friends, and the services they need. This $23 million project is part of the coordinated neighborhood revitalization efforts happening across Schenectady, creating opportunities for residents to age in place with dignity while preserving an important piece of our community's history. This is exactly the kind of neighborhood investment that strengthens Schenectady for all generations!

This project exemplifies the power of partnership - state agencies, local government, nonprofit developers, and community organizations working together to create housing solutions that change lives!

Congratulations to BCNI, Home Leasing, Schenectady Metroplex, the City and County of Schenectady, and all our partners on this incredible achievement! 🎉