Community & Education
• Home | • Watch Online | • Data and Resources | • Connect
Community Partners and Resources
Learn more about work being done by community and school programs in our region to support student success. Click the partner names below for more information.
• AmeriCorps Week March 10 - 16, 2013
• The Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican Hispanic/Youth Leadership Institute
• Black Child Development Institute (BCDI) - Albany High School Mentoring Program
• Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School
• Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany, SUNY
• Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) - NYS Education Department
• Make A Play (MAP)
• National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) at Albany High School
• The NET Project-Center for Women in Government and Civil Society
• New Leadership New York-Center for Women in Government and Civil Society
• Schenectady Smart Scholars Early College High School
• Strive Thru Sports
• S.T.A.R.S. Peer Education Program, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
• Tamarac Elementary Pre-K Program, Brunswick (Brittonkill) Central Schools
• Teen Empowerment and Mentoring (TEAM) Program, Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady
• Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc.
• United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region
• Uptown Summer Youth Employment Program, North Troy Environmental Consortium
If you would like to feature information about the work your program or organization is doing on the WMHT American Graduate web page, contact Amanda Lester, Community Engagement Coordinator.
AmeriCorps Week March 10 - 16, 2013
Contact Information:
Carolyn Holthausen | (518) 782-6963
Program Summary:
AmeriCorps Week hosted at Siena College aims to connect AmeriCorps members and Alums to feel they are part of a nationwide effort, and to communicate the AmeriCorps powerful impact on critical problems and on the lives of its members and alums. Everyday AmeriCorps members are tackling problems in these areas: Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, Veterans and Military Families. The theme is AmeriCorps Works which provides an overarching framework to communicate AmeriCorps triple bottom line return on investment -- for the recipients of service, the people who serve, and the larger community and nation.
Target Population Served by the Program:
All Ages – From elementary to seniors
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Check back for information regarding an upcoming service day.
The Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican Hispanic/Youth Leadership Institute
Contact Information:
Dr. Gladys I. Cruz, State Coordinator or Lisette Lopez, Assistant Coordinator | (518) 479-6833
Program Summary:
• Develop leadership skills
• Gain an understanding of the NYS legislative process by participation in research and the development of legislative proposals
• Gain an understanding of responsible citizenship
• Create opportunities for interaction with positive role models such as elected officials and other adult professionals
• Promote a dialogue between youth and community leaders concerning issues that affect Hispanic youth
Target Population Served by the Program:
Hispanic/Latino Population
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
www.prhyli.org
Black Child Development Institute (BCDI) - Albany, NY Mentoring Program at Albany High School
Contact Information:
John Harris | (518) 937-4120
Program Summary:
The BCDI Mentoring Program serves as a support system and a resource for students at Albany High School. The end goal is to maximize their levels of achievement at Albany High School and beyond. We offer students and volunteers the opportunity to develop positive and personal relationships which can ultimately lead to lifelong friendships. This program utilizes team mentoring to allow the students to interact with their peers. Team mentoring allows the students to create a learning environment that encourages the sharing of knowledge, experiences and insight.
Target Population Served by the Program:
All Albany High School students in grades 9-12
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or would like to refer a student to the BCDI Mentoring Program, please contact John Harris.
Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School
Contact Information:
Terry Swett, Director of Career and Technical Education | (518) 862-4000
Program Summary:
The Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical School provides more than 40 courses of study for high school and adult students, including career education, college-credit-bearing and honors-level study, an alternative high school, adult education including GED, ESL and Health Careers, and programs for students with Individualized Education Programs. Classes are offered at our campuses in Albany (Colonie) and Schoharie, and off campus
Target Population Served by the Program:
Learners of all ages from throughout the greater Capital Region
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Click here to learn more about the programs at Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical School
Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities, University at Albany, SUNY
Contact Information:
Wilma Alvarado-Little, MA, MSW | (518) 442-5976
Director of the Community Engagement/Outreach Core
Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities
University at Albany, SUNY
AS 237
1400 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12222
518-442-4563 (FAX)
Program Summary:
CEMHD is a collaborative effort focusing on minority health disparities in the smaller cities and towns of New York. We work toward eliminating health disparities by developing capacity in faculty at the University at Albany and by partnering with community groups to identify community health concerns and sources of disparities, plan strategies to alleviate them, and then test their effectiveness.
Target Population Served by the Program:
The Center for the Elimination of Minority Health Disparities (CEMHD) is a partnership between the State of New York, community groups, hospitals, county health departments, and University at Albany
Clcik here for information about Young Moms on a Mission (YMOM).
Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) - NYS Education Department
Contact Information:
Sean Brown | (518) 486-5202
Program Summary:
The Liberty Partnerships Program (LPP) is a collaborative pre-collegiate/school dropout prevention programs that support at-risk youth in completing secondary school and prepare those students for successful transition into postsecondary education or onto a career path.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Services youth in Urban, Rural and Suburban communities of Western New York, Finger Lakes, Central New York, Southern Tier, North Country, Mohawk Valley, Capital District, Mid-Hudson Valley, NYC and Long Island.
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Pre-Collegiate Preparation Programs and Scholarships Unit
New York State Education Department
Room 967, Education Building Addition
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 486-5202
E-mail
Contact Information:
Sean Brown | (518) 330-0992
Program Summary:
Make A Play aims to transform youth and their communities in the Capital District (Albany) New York, by providing comprehensive academic and athletic programs to better their personal, academic and professional goals. As students move from dependence, independence to interdependence MAP meets students where they are and prepares them to be leaders, and active participants in a democratic society: when you learn to play, you learn to live.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Boys and girls ages 10-18 throughout the Capital District, Albany, NY
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Make A Play welcomes support from the community in order to maintain the best possible experience for MAP’s youth and families. For more information about how you can support Make A Play call (518) 330-0992 or E-mail
National Coalition Building Insititute (NCBI) at Albany High School
Contact Information:
Coming soon
Program Summary:
The National Coalition Building Institute is an international non-profit leadership development network dedicated to the elimination of racism and other forms of oppression. Rooted in an understanding of individual, community, and systemic change, NCBI leaders work with public and private organizations to further:
• Cultural competence,
• Collaboration and partnerships,
• Effective relationships within and across group identities.
In collaboration with NCBI, work at Albany High School has taken place through a series of one day workshops, train-the-trainer models and by working directly into classrooms to address topics related to bullying and peer-based issues.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Students within the Albany High School Community
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
For more information about the National Coalition Building Institute’s work, click here.
The NET Project-Center for Women in Government and Civil Society
Contact Information:
Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, University at Albany | (518) 442-3900
Program Summary:
The NET project is committed to preparing students for the 21st century workforce through the promotion of gender neutral educational strategies and practices.
The NET (Nontraditional Employment & Training) Project provides statewide technical assistance to Career and Technical Education institutions that sponsor Carl D. Perkins funded programs for nontraditional career options. The web site is designed to provide timely and useful resources to support the mission of building a nontraditional workforce through expanded educational and career opportunities for students.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Middle school and high school girls in the community.
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Visit this webpage to learn more about non-traditional education and training programs designed to encourage and promote exploration of STEM and nontraditional careers for girls in middle school and high school.
New Leadership New York-Center for Women in Government and Civil Society
Contact Information:
Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, University at Albany | (518) 442-3900
Program Summary:
NEW Leadership™ New York strengthens policy knowledge and skills of undergraduate women, while positioning them to become advocates for change. This intensive week-long summer program fosters the principles of leadership through action, and guides participants’ community/campus action projects.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Women in undergraduate programs.
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
For more information, click here or read the program brochure.
Schenectady Smart Scholars Early College High School
Contact Information:
Valerie Smith, Team Leader | (518) 925-0282
Program Summary:
The intent is to establish a collaborative learning and teaching environment for a select group of incoming ninth graders. The goal is for each student to have the opportunity to earn a Regents diploma and successfully transition into college with at least 20 college credit hours. The program and its partners are committed to facilitating positive transformational changes by providing a successful and wide-reaching program targeting a student population that is traditionally underrepresented in college. Click here for more information.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Email Valerie Smith or call (518) 925-0282 for more information.
S.T.A.R.S. Peer Education Program, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
Contact Information:
Meaghan Carroll, Director of Education | (518) 512-9042
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood
Program Summary:
Teen pregnancy has been directly correlated to high drop-out rates among teens in rural and urban schools. One proven technique for reaching students with information and guidance on sexual health and responsibility is that of peer education. The approach recognizes that teens will often refrain from asking parents or other adults critical questions about sex, and will instead look for advice from media, the web or their peers.
The S.T.A.R.S. (Seriously Talking About Responsible Sex) Peer Education Program has engaged local high school students for over a decade in intensive training programs on issues of sexual health and responsibility. The goal of S.T.A.R.S. is for each program graduate to return to school and become an important and trusted source of factual information on sexual health for his or her peers. Each student receives at least 20 hours of training on a wide range of sexual health topics. Participants are taught public speaking, group facilitation, and active listening skills and learn to work with teens from different backgrounds and perspectives. They attend college tours, host parent-youth movie nights, visit local museums, and participate in a wide range of community events. Students also serve as staff assistants for the UHPP teen drop-in clinics that take place on Thursday afternoons, at the UHPP Albany and Hudson health centers.
Over 100 students from Albany and Columbia Counties have now graduated from the S.T.A.R.S. program.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Adolescent youth living in Albany and Columbia Counties.
Ways the You can Support the Work of this Program:
To learn more about the S.T.A.R.S. Peer Education Program click here.
To find out how you can become a S.T.A.R.S. peer educator, and to request a peer educator application, call the Albany Youth Program Facilitator at (518) 434-5678 ext. 138, or the Hudson Youth Program Facilitator at (518) 828-7818.
Strive Thru SportsContact Information:
Dwayne Beckford | (518) 588-7899
Program Summary:
Strive Thru Sports™ (STS) is a gateway to higher education and life-long success, providing youth with educational, athletic, and financial resource in one click. The STS web-site not only provides valuable resources, but also inspires youths to take a chance at their dreams and know that they can achieve.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Inner city youth, but open to everyone
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
For more information about how you can support Strive Thru Sports please E-mail
Tamarac Elementary Pre-K Program, Brunswick (Brittonkill) Central Schools
Contact Information:
Barb Baker | (518) 279-4600 x1001
Program Summary:
This program screens all children who are of Pre-K age using the Dial-4 and accepts the 20 lowest scoring children. They run a full day program that focus’ on language, motor and concepts needed in Kindergarten. The curriculum is based on NYS standard. Parental involvement is encouraged.
Target Population Served by the Program:
This program was designed to provide a vehicle for those children who come to school behind their peers and opportunity to catch up and enter Kindergarten on a level playing field.
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
This program has opportunities for people to donate via the program web page. The items under the wish list are updated on a regular basis. They also need volunteers to come in and read to the children. For more information visit them online.
Teen Empowerment and Mentoring (TEAM) Program, Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady
Contact Information:
Emily Martyn Garvilla, TEAM Program Coordinator | (518) 374-4714 x 29
Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady
Program Summary:
The Teen Empowerment and Mentoring (TEAM) Program serves students in Schenectady who are at-risk of dropping out of school. TEAM’s mission is to empower students to develop character, competence, and resilience through structured relationships with caring, positive adults and provides students with fun, positive activities, as well as college and career exploration field trips. In addition, TEAM utilizes an incentive program to encourage students to increase grades in core areas and to reduce incidences of tardiness, unexcused absences, and both in-school and out-of-school-suspensions.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Schenectady High School Students
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
The TEAM Program is currently seeking adult volunteers to serve mentors.
To learn more about the TEAM Program click here.
For more information about the program, or to become a mentor, contact Emily Martyn Garvilla, (518) 374-4714 x 29.
Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc.
Contact Information:
Johan Matthews | (518) 449-5155 x105
Program Summary:
To provide services to the community that will support and promote healthy families, adults and children. Trinity Alliance is dedicated to improving our neighborhood as a setting for family life, contributing to health and well-being, and promoting education and employment as a means of self-development.
Target Population Served by the Program:
All age groups
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Volunteer opportunities include: Food Pantry, reception desk, data entry, filing, community outreach, Albany Bike Rescue, Mass Mailings (on occasion), VITA tax preparation, Computer Help, Mentoring, after school care, fitness programs, etc.
More information can be found on their website.
Program Summary:
United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region is a free, confidential phone information and referral service that connects callers to health and human services in the Capital Region and surrounding counties. Callers with questions about food and nutrition programs, housing, employment, child care, health care, rent or utility payment assistance, mental health services and other issues can get help by simply dialing 2-1-1. Call specialists are certified professionals, culturally-sensitive advocates and compassionate problem solvers with access to a database of more than 1,500 agencies. United Way 2-1-1 Northeast Region is a program of United Way of the Greater Capital Region in partnership with United Way of Westchester and Putnam, with support from United Way of New York State.
Target Population Served by the Program:
Callers with questions about health and human services in the Greater Capital Region and surrounding counties of: Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.
More Information:
Visit United Way 2-1-1 online.
Uptown Summer Youth Employment Program,
North Troy Environmental Consortium
Consortium Partner Contact Information:
Collard City Growers
Abby Lublin
Youth Media Sanctuary
Branda Miller, Arts and Education Coordinator
Missing Link Street Ministries
Pastor Willie D. Bacote
Troy Bike Rescue
Program Summary:
The Uptown Summer Youth Employment Program is a grassroots collaborative effort, of the North Troy environment Education Consortium to provide out-of-school student support and opportunities to students in the City of Troy. The Consortium is comprised of four organizations: Troy Bike Rescue, Missing Link Street Ministries, Collard City Growers, and the Youth Media Sanctuary.
The organizations run a five-week Uptown Summer Youth Employment Program in North Central Troy, staffed by youth participants in Rensselaer County's Summer Youth Employment Program living in the North Troy neighborhood. "Uptown Summer" is an extension of the missions held by these organizations to engage youth in community-based education and services including bicycle maintenance and safety, urban gardening, media creation, and making and serving nutritious food. In addition to learning and practicing these skills for community resiliency, participants hone interpersonal and job skills and develop meaningful connections in their community, as well as supportive relationships with adults and peers.
Target Population Served by the Program:
High school aged youth in the City of Troy
Ways that You can Support the Work of this Program:
Contact any organization to learn more about how you can support their work. View photos and examples of youth media created through the Uptown Summer Youth Employment Program on the Media Sanctuary website and Media Sanctuary's You Tube channel.
Funding Provided By:
