News
September 24, 2019IPH Creates a Central Hub for Community Services
The Chamber was happy to partake in a ceremonial ribbon cutting on Tuesday, September 24 for the newly renovated St. Casimir’s School and Convent.
Once school children ran through the building attending classes, and neighbors filled the auditorium for community events – now after years of vacancy, IPH (formerly Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless) has revitalized and renewed St. Casimir’s School and Convent into a central hub for community services.
Men, women, and families can visit IPH’s new Hoffman Family Center’s Community Connections for a daily hot meal, laundry, showers, life skills classes, clothing and food pantries, and case management, as well as Healthy Connections sponsored by MVP Health Care next door for vital health services.
Hoffman Car Wash & Hoffman Jiffy Lube stepped forward quickly with financial support when they saw the scope of the project. “Their work to shelter, feed and help this population stabilize their lives is important to us as a family and business,” shared Carrie Hoffman, a member of the IPH Board of Directors.
“Over the last year and a half, the Hoffman Car Wash and Hoffman Jiffy Lube staff have adopted the “Practice Kindness” mantra and incorporate that mentality into our day-to-day philosophy. These programs represent another example of our commitment to practicing kindness and making an impact on the neighborhoods and areas we serve.”
“By relocating the Sister Maureen Joyce Food Pantry into the Hoffman Family Center, our clients will have access to a variety of programs and services, all in one place,” said Jenn Hyde, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services. “This new location will also allow Catholic Charities to fully transition the Sister Maureen Joyce Food Pantry into a client choice model, where clients who come to our doors can personally select nutritious foods that their families will enjoy. It really will make a huge impact on the lives of those we serve, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with IPH on the project.”
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Commissioner Mike Hein said, “This project reflects the needs of the community and provides safe, stable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, along with access to much-needed supportive services to help them stabilize their lives. We are proud to partner with Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless on these apartments and congratulate them on completion the Hoffman Family Center, which will greatly benefit the entire community.”
Janine Robitaille, Executive Director of IPH, “Over the last 6 years, we have worked to find the perfect location and build the perfect building. To be able to rehabilitate these historic buildings on our street and offer expanded services and housing in our neighborhood is a tremendous step forward for the community.”
In its 35th anniversary year, IPH is furthering its commitment to the neighborhood and those it serves with these beautiful buildings. Like IPH, the history of the buildings is preserved and they are revitalized to serve a changed community once again.
