News
May 4, 2023Ribbon-cutting Celebrates Grand Opening of Catholic Charities’ Hilltowns Community Resource Center
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany has expanded and centralized their presence in the Hilltowns through a newly renovated building donated by Hannay Reels. With additional support from Broadview Federal Credit Union, CDPHP and Nigro Retail Properties, the new resource center can expand their service footprint and conduct a full range of services from one location. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 3, at 10:00 at Hilltowns Community Resource Center in Westerlo, NY.
The presentation includes brief remarks from:
- Jenn Hyde, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services
- Elaine Hannay Gruener, C.O.O., Hannay Reels, Inc.
- Kathy Lanni, Chief Community Officer, Broadview Federal Credit Union
- Brian O’Grady, President, Health Plan Markets, CDPHP
- Matt Kryzak, Westerlo Town Supervisor
- Sister Betsy Van Deusen, CSJ, CEO of Catholic Charities
The Hilltowns Community Resource Center, a program of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services is located in the town of Westerlo, NY and serves the communities of Berne, Knox, Westerlo, and Rensselaerville since 1981. They currently serve on average over 261 individuals per month in the Hilltowns, providing individuals and families of low socio-economic levels with food, clothing, supplies, and emergency assistance to fulfill basic fundamental needs and to enhance the quality of their lives.
Jenn Hyde, Executive Director of Catholic Charities Tri-County Services, said: “It’s literally a dream come true for Catholic Charities. You have provided a place where people can go to connect with others, to get assistance with basic needs, to get the food that is needed just to help them make ends meet at the end of the month, to get assistance with their utilities, to access support services, to access the Internet.”
In 2021, Catholic Charities provided services to 862 households and 2,456 individuals across the Hilltowns. In 2022, that number has increased over 27%, with 975 households and 3,135 individuals receiving support in the communities of Berne, Knox, Westerlo, and Rensselaerville. The organization anticipates the need will remain high as cost of living continues to burden residents.
Elaine Hannay Gruener, C.O.O., Hannay Reels, Inc. said ”If you grew up in the Hilltowns, you know everything’s 45 minutes away, doctors, grocery stores, life, civilization. If you don’t have transportation or you don’t have gas money or you don’t have all those things, this is it. This is what people rely on and depend on. And thank God they’re here.”
Kathy Lanni, C.C.O., Broadview Federal Credit Union, said ” Catholic Charities does what Catholic Charities does. They make it work. They work tirelessly to help individuals in need to fill gaps, to make sure they have not just their basic needs met, but they treat every individual with dignity and with love… Coming here today and seeing the transformation of this space is unbelievable. This is a house built with love, every bit of it was built with love. And I know that the individuals served here will be treated with love every single day and that warms my heart.”
Brian O’Grady, President, Health Plan Markets, CDPHP said ”I couldn’t be happier to be here on behalf of CDPHP. I think our crew has done an amazing job and I know I’m speaking on behalf of all of our employees that we’re so proud to be involved in this project and projects like this that truly make a community, projects like this that are so core to our mission, because our mission is to improve the health of our communities, not just keep members, but our entire communities.”
Matt Kryzak, Westerlo Town Supervisor said ”To have this resource in the town of Westerlo is absolutely priceless, to be able to offer this to the residents, to be able to offer this to surrounding communities is a feather in our cap. We’re proud to have you guys here. Driving by here throughout the project, it just made me feel like I had a purpose in what I do for the town. It really brings purpose to have you guys here, I can’t say thank you enough.”
Sister Betsy Van Deusen, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany, said: “This wouldn’t have happened truly without the people who are gathered in this room to make it happen. This center is a testament to community, to our community saying we care, we are here, we will help and we will make a difference. Our blessings and thanks to all of you, from all of us at Catholic Charities for all you do every day to make a little difference and a big difference.”
