News
December 15, 2016Chamber Members Commit to Raising Awareness, Dollars for Nonprofit Organizations
The Capital Region Chamber’s Women’s Business Council (WBC) has “adopted” two local nonprofit organizations for 2017 and 2018, respectively: Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center and the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region. Throughout each year, the WBC will collaborate with the nonprofits to raise awareness and funds for the organizations at its programs and its holiday fundraiser in December.
Since its inception in 2002, the Women’s Business Council’s Adopted Nonprofit Program has raised more than $50,000 for local nonprofits and has helped raise awareness about many worthy organizations in our region. The program began as a means provide volunteer opportunities for WBC members, and it proved to be such a rewarding experience for both the WBC members and the nonprofit that the program continued. A complete list of former Adopted Nonprofits is available at http://capitalregionchamber.com/networking/womens-business-council/adopted-nonprofit/.
The nonprofits were chosen from a large pool of worthy applicants. The recipient must be a Chamber member in good standing which has been established for five years or more, and a representative from the organization must regularly attend WBC programs at which funds are raised throughout the year.
“The WBC membership mobilized behind our mission in many impactful ways when we were the Adopted Nonprofit in 2015,” said Tracy Pitcher, Executive Director of St. Paul’s Center in Rensselaer. “The monthly raffles and the holiday party were effective in raising funds – but really, the benefits go beyond that. The longer-lasting impact came by way of Board member recruitment, ongoing committee participation, and increasing awareness.” Pitcher added, “Speaking at each WBC program and participating in shelter activities brought to life the impact of homelessness. And most importantly, each member understands the impact one person can make in changing the life of a homeless family.”
The Women’s Business Council of the Capital Region Chamber promotes the full participation and leadership of women at all levels in the workplace, the community and government. The WBC develops programs that provide opportunities for women to learn and network as well as share their expertise with each other and to address the unique issues of women in business.
The Capital Region Chamber represents 2,600 businesses and organizations from throughout the Capital Region – Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties and beyond – employing more than 150,000 area residents. The Capital Region Chamber’s goal is economic prosperity for our business members and our community.
About Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center, Inc.
Since 1971, Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center (WYH) has provided primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care to some of the most vulnerable and underserved populations in Capital Region communities. Through multiple medical and dental centers, including a brand new facility in Watervliet, school-based health centers, addictions programs, a mobile health unit, and numerous outreach programs, WYH serves more than 18,000 men, women and children annually who otherwise have limited access to health care. WYH takes its services directly to the people that need them the most. More than one-third of its patients live at or below the federal poverty level; approximately 19% do not have any health insurance; and 59% rely on Medicaid. Nearly half of its patients are children and adolescents.
WYH has been recognized three times by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Level 3 Patient-Centered Medical Home at both the Albany and Troy health centers. Additionally, WYH has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Ambulatory Health Care and Behavioral Health Care. For more information, please visit www.wmyhealth.org.
About the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc.
Since 1883 YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, Inc. has been meeting the needs of women in Troy and the surrounding communities. Today YWCA -GCR is one of the Greater Capital Region’s largest providers of supportive housing for both homeless single women and women with children.
YWCA-GCR’s ultimate goal is to surround all of its residents and program participants with 360º of Support – a range of services customized to meet each women’s individual needs. Women come to YWCA-GCR in times of crisis, for safe, affordable and supportive housing, food security, community re-entry, victim advocacy, help with addiction, job readiness training and career counseling, education development, TASC (formerly GED) preparation and case management. We give women and women with children a second chance and a fresh start by providing transitional and permanent housing combined with 360° of Support to empower them to achieve their goals as well as become and maintain self-sufficiency. Not all the residents’ need all of the available services, but there is one thing that Every Single Woman receives: HOPE. Our supportive services are available to and are utilized by community members through My Sister’s Closet, Jamison-Rounds Ready for Work Job Readiness Program, Jamison-Rounds Ready for School Program, Sally Caitlin Resource Center, our Food Pantry and Weekly Community Meal. In addition, we provide Homeless Prevention and case management services to Rensselaer County residents facing eviction.
