Special Section: Making the Difference – Spotlighting the important ways nonprofits impact our communities

SPECIAL SECTION – With many nonprofits struggling because of the pandemic, we’re turning the spotlight on them and the people who are fostering a sense of community throughout the Capital Region.

In these stories, we feature stories on a wide range of local organizations, including the Bus Stop Club, which supports the siblings and families of children with critical illnesses and developmental disabilities; and Wellspring, which aids survivors of relationship and sexual abuse.

We’ve also highlighted the leaders and volunteers who are the backbones of these organizations, like Miki and Rachel Conn, a mother-daughter duo who have both led the Hamilton Hill Arts Center over the years; and Shane Bargy, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady.

Read below for the stories of the Animal Protective Foundation in Glenville to Saratoga County’s Wellspring.

Nonprofits 2021

• Despite the pandemic and other obstacles, Animal Protective Foundation carries on strong 90-year tradition
• On a roll in the Saratoga Springs: Bikeatoga organization provides bikes to get people up on two wheels
• A fun place to grow; Boys & Girls Clubs of Schenectady still working ‘with the kids who need us most’
• Boys & Girls Clubs’ leader is a longtime proponent
• Being kids: Bus Stop Club offers support for siblings of children dealing with chronic illness
• Camp Stomping Ground hopes to inspire ‘radical empathy’ in home at former Boyhaven site
• ‘We stand up for them’; CASA advocates for children when they need it most
• ‘They do it with their heart’: Centro Civico staff continues work to lift Amsterdam community
• Bringing starry skies into focus: Dudley Observatory a source of learning for 165 years and counting
• Shining a light on local artists: Electric City Barn remained a creative ‘escape’ in pandemic
• Farm to School table: Fresh food to classrooms, communities and local school cafeterias
• Peck leads Glove City Coalition aimed at reducing youth substance use
• Hamilton Hill Arts Center still molds young lives: Facility continues to educate community on African culture
• Heritage Foundation helps to preserve landmarks in Stockade and throughout Schenectady County
• Making art a part of wellness; Living Resources serves students with wide range of disabilities
• Empowering young women: MoonCatcher Project group aims to remove barriers for girls worldwide
• One home, one family at a time: Rebuilding Together makes houses safe, habitable for those in need
• Help you can Bank on: Nicol steps in, steps up as new CEO of Regional Food Bank
• Group’s goals: repair, prepare: SALT mobilizes volunteers to return Schoharie County from disaster
• ‘Light, laughter, creativity’: Leader aims to make Saratoga Arts ‘hub’ of Saratoga Springs arts scene
• Healthy outlook: Schenectady City Mission keeps evolving, serving
• Professional staff, volunteers combine to help Schenectady County Historical Society thrive
• Inside the box: Schenectady Greenmarket prioritizing access to healthy food
• Schoharie River Center offers students opportunity to conduct important research, learn unique skills
• Building skills for a SEAT at the table; Center provides bridge to workforce for young adults
• ‘For the sake of food access’: SiCM continues work to provide food options for local community
• Sowing the seeds of equity: Soul Fire Farm works at ending food apartheid, boosting the number of Black and Latinx farmers
• Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga provides aftercare for retired horses, utilizes them in therapy work
• Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation saves thoroughbreds from neglect, abuse, slaughter after they can no longer compete
• One handy – and dandy – idea: Umbrella makes aging in place easier by connecting local seniors
• ‘Creating change to end abuse’: New Wellspring facility brings greater visibility, expansion of services

Categories: Life and Arts, News, Nonprofits 2021