Schenectady Community Action Program

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

🎨 Our young artists took center stage at SCAP's Early Learning Program Art Show! 🖌️

Last Friday, May 1st, all of our ELP sites transformed into galleries showcasing the incredible creativity of our students! Families and friends joined us to celebrate the masterpieces our children created throughout the year - from vibrant butterfly paintings to imaginative self-portraits, from recycled art projects to colorful abstract expressions!

The pride on these young faces says it all! Watching children point out their artwork to family members, explain their creative process, and beam with accomplishment is what early childhood education is all about. Art isn't just about making things - it's about building confidence, developing fine motor skills, expressing emotions, and learning to see the world in new ways! 🌈

From painting and sculpting to collaborative projects and environmental art, our students explored diverse materials and techniques while discovering their unique creative voices. The hallways were transformed into mini-museums filled with color, imagination, and pure joy!

Thank you to our incredible ELP teaching staff for nurturing creativity every single day, and to all the families who joined us to celebrate these budding artists! 💙

These are the moments that make memories and build foundations for lifelong learning!

Ready for your child to explore, create, and grow? SCAP's Early Learning Programs are enrolling now! Call 518-377-8539 to learn more.

Our SCAP team had a wonderful time at the Home Sweet Home fundraiser last week! 🏡

Thank you to the Leadership Capital Region Class of 2026 for hosting such a beautiful evening and for choosing Sojourn House as your service project. It was inspiring to see our community come together to support mothers and children experiencing homelessness.

We're grateful to everyone who attended, donated, and celebrated with us. Together, we're creating a welcoming, healing home for the families we serve.

📸 Photo credit: Brian L. Jones Photography

Every year, SCAP conducts a Community Needs Assessment to understand what Schenectady County residents are facing, and to make sure our programs are meeting real, documented needs.

The 2025 CNA is now available on our website. The data reflects what our community has been telling us: housing costs are burdening renters, mental health services can't keep up with demand, and too many families are one crisis away from instability. At the same time, 97% of SCAP customers showed improvement in at least one domain, proof that the work matters.

This report is public by design. It belongs to the community. Read it at www.scapny.org

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! 🎉