News
December 20, 2019Rev. Phillip Grigsby to Retire from Schenectady Community Ministries
After 33 years of remarkable service, the Reverend Phillip Grigsby has announced his retirement from his position as Executive Director of Schenectady Community Ministries (founded and fondly known as Schenectady Inner City Ministry, SICM) effective December 31, 2019.
“The tenure of Rev. Grigsby’s work has spanned some of the most challenging years in Schenectady’s history. While the city faced increasing poverty, and sometimes-painful gaps in understanding, Rev. Grigsby led congregations in responding ecumenically to the increasing need and challenges. He has done so with non-sectarian programs that responded directly to hunger and food insecurity, particularly among Schenectady’s children. He also has been continuously involved in advocacy efforts, marked by coalition building. Rev. Grigsby has been direct in speaking out on crucial local concerns, even at times when that did not make him popular in all quarters. He leaves behind him not only the legacy of strong programs of direct service, and the echo of a clear voice of conscience, but also an organization that is today well-equipped to move into the future”, expressed Rev Peter J B Carman, SICM’s President.
During the past three decades of Rev. Grigsby’s leadership, SICM’s work expanded substantially. Rev. Grigsby provided leadership for the development of non-profit organizations including SAFE Inc. of Schenectady, Bethesda House, Schenectady Community Land Trust, the expansion of COCOA House. He was instrumental in the Committee for Social Justice’s initiative to address police and community relations, and developing the Schenectady County Embraces Diversity program to address challenging issues. During his tenure, SICM led coalitions to restore the school lunch program, initiate school breakfast, dramatically expand the SICM food pantry, initiate the Summer Food Service with mobile meals, start community gardens, enhance Jerry Burrell Park with Project SKIP, and other initiatives.
In recent months, Rev. Grigsby is leading planning and fundraising efforts to create a Community Resource Center and SICM Campus on Albany Street, with a renovated Food Pantry and new offices. In the first part of 2020 he will continue in a volunteer capacity as Honorary Chair of the fundraising effort.
A retirement party will be held for Rev. Grigsby on January 26 at 4:00 PM at College Park Hall on the campus of Union College. SICM is deeply grateful to Rev. Grigsby for his many years of visionary and faithful leadership and looks forward to welcoming members of the public to the event in his honor in January. He has asked that any donations be directed towards the SICM Capital Campaign. For more information, check the SICM website www.sicm.us. Contact information for Rev. Phillip Grigsby is 518-441-1390
Ms. Jo-Anne Rafalik will serve as Acting Director of SICM during the transition to a new Executive Director.
