City Mission of Schenectady
City Mission offers many services to people in need in our local community of Schenectady, NY. We serve over 500 meals each day and provide shelter to approximately 90 men, women and children each night.
In addition to meals and shelter, City Mission provides free clothing such as warm winter wear – hats, coats, mittens, scarves and gloves – all through the cold, winter months to anyone in need; other clothing such as daily wear and professional wear are distributed throughout the year as needed to our residents and to people in the community.
City Mission also offers an annual Back to School Boost program where we distribute donated school supplies among local families in need. We also work with teachers in the local school districts to help them reach children and families that might not come directly to the Mission.
For men and women that come to the shelters seeking life change, City Mission offers Bridges to Freedom, a discipleship and recovery program. During their time in Bridges to Freedom, men and women are given the opportunity to take classes in everything from the most basic life skills, such as time management and personal hygiene, to educational classes and career building.
Bridges to Freedom is tailored to each individual’s unique needs, giving them the opportunity to really focus on the problems and issues that brought them to their state of crisis. The goal is that by the time an individual graduates from Bridges to Freedom they will have reached a level of sustainability and a place where they have a desire to give back to the community out of gratitude for what they have received.
There are many more services and outreach opportunities at City Mission! You may read more specific details below and contact us with further questions.
Year 2013 Statistics
Meals Served: 191,867
Beds Provided: 32,620
Food Services Program
Housed in the Wallace M. Campbell Dining Center, the Food Services Team provides three meals a day to City Mission residents and dinner meals for the community. Bagged meals are available 24/7 at the Men’s Shelter.Contact: Lloyd Noland (518) 346-2275 ext. 334
Community Outreach
The Community Outreach (COR) Department assists individuals and families in the community with basic needs of food, clothing and household items. The COR department also offers other resources and referrals to other agencies in the community when necessary, to help an individual or family get the resources they need. Community Outreach hosts the annual “Coats for Kids”, Christmas Toy Store, and Back 2 School Boost events.
COR also includes an outreach program to the low-income elderly residing at the Ten Eyck Apartments.
The annual Summer Youth Adventure offers recreation, field trips, arts & crafts, camping, and educational activities for local children.
Contact: David Lederer (518) 346-2275 ext. 317
Men’s Program
Emergency Shelter
Our 76-bed dormitory provides emergency shelter and other basic needs for homeless men. “Powerline Connection” offers opportunities for personal and spiritual growth.
Contact the Men’s Desk (518) 346-2275 ext. 312 or Tom McCrossan (518) 346-2275 ext. 339
Bridges to Freedom (Discipleship & Recovery Programs)
Both one year and 90-day rehabilitation programs include counseling, Bible study, Chapel, vocational training, job readiness and life skills training.
Contact: Denise Cokes (518) 346-2275 ext. 321
Women and Children’s Program
Family Life Center
The Family Life Center is a 37-bed facility which offers a Discipleship Program for women and children, and an Emergency Shelter for women. Provides a place of refuge for those in need, as well as opportunities for life change.
Life Skills Training Center
Training in essential life skills for City Mission residents. Includes the Home Management Center, Learning and Resource Center, Phoebe’s Place (clothing boutique), and workshops in nutrition, parenting, and workplace readiness (among others).
Contact: Denise Cokes (518) 346-2275 ext. 321
Transitional Housing
Our Neighborhood Revitalization Program has resulted in the acquisition and renovation of 24 apartments adjacent to the Mission campus.
The Transitional Housing Program provides City Mission graduates with an opportunity to continue their growth amidst the supportive environment of the City Mission campus. Assigned Life Coaches assist clients in their transition to full independence and sustainability.
Contact: David Lederer (518) 346-2275 ext. 317
Schenectady Works at the Career Training Center
Schenectady Works is a job training, retention and career advancement program. Our purpose is to equip people for long-term success in the workplace by helping them move to lives of sustainability.
We provide educational tutoring and computer classes. We also assist with resume writing, job searches and improving job skills.
To learn more, please visit www.schenectadyworks.com.
Contact: Nathan Mandsager (518) 346-2275 ext. 341
Chapel
Provides spiritual nourishment for residents through Jesus Christ by offering Friday mornin
g and Sunday evening services, as well as morning devotions.
Contact & Prayer Requests: Tyrone Lynch (518) 346-2275 ext. 316
Clothing/Thrift & Distribution Center
Thrift Store, located at 416 Saratoga Rd. (Route 50), Glenville, sells furniture, clothing, housewares, shoes, books, and a variety of other items to support the ministries of the Mission. Gift certificates are made available for those in need.
18,000 sq. ft. Distribution Center processes donated items, as well as providing vocational training and employment opportunities.
Donated items are processed for use in Community Outreach, the Thrift Store and clothing repurpose/reuse operation.
For clothing pickups call: (518) 346-2275 ext. 301
Red Donation Boxes
Donation boxes, fully owned and operated by City Mission, are placed throughout the community to make it more convenient for those who wish to donate clothing, shoes, blankets and towels to City Mission. All proceeds go to meeting needs in our local community. For box locations click here.
To place a box at your church or business call: Dan Cragan (518) 346-2275 ext. 381
Medical Clinic
Physicians from Ellis Medicine’s McClellan Campus provide free medical care on Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the Wallace M. Campbell Dining Center.
Contact: Chris Silipigno (518) 346-2275 ext. 306
Volunteer Participation
Volunteers help year round within a variety of capacities: Serving meals, preparing food, mentoring, tutoring, and assisting with special events are just a few of the fulfilling volunteer opportunities available.
Contact: Nicole Amedore (518) 346-2275 ext. 311