News
January 16, 2026YWCA NorthEastern NY Celebrates Ribbon Cutting & Open House of New Early Learning Center in Schenectady’s Stockade
YWCA NorthEastern New York will celebrate the opening of its new Early Learning Center with a ribbon cutting and community open house on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:30–5:30 PM at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 30 N. Ferry Street, in Schenectady’s historic Stockade neighborhood.
The ribbon cutting will take place in partnership with the Capital Region Chamber, followed by a brief program and guided tours of the newly renovated space. YWCA NENY wants to thank our visionary partners who have been or will be instrumental in the present and future projects for our Early learning Center expansion – GE Aerospace, MVP Health Care, Fenimore Asset Management, Neil Golub, The Little Foundation, The Schenectady Foundation and The Wright Family Foundation.
This Early Learning Center was created through a collaborative renovation partnership between YWCA NorthEastern NY, St. George’s Episcopal Church and Xenolith Partners LLC as part of the YWCA’s larger Harbor House Project at the main campus. Christa Construction was the amazing contractor completing construction between July and September 205 with the relocation happening in early November 2025. This is part of a bigger project for our Early Learning Program in the future as we work in partnership with Sequence Development to re-envision the old St. Clare’s McClellan Street Campus. This allowed construction to begin at the YWCA’s nearby 44 Washington Avenue campus, while ensuring uninterrupted early childhood education services for local families.
“This space represents both continuity and momentum,” said Kim Siciliano, CEO of YWCA NorthEastern NY. “While we invest in major improvements at our Washington Avenue campus, this partnership allows us to continue serving families now, without missing a beat, and to move closer to our long-term vision of expanding high-quality, affordable childcare in Schenectady.”
The new site reflects YWCA’s ongoing commitment to supporting working families and strengthening the community through accessible early learning opportunities. The project is one step in a broader plan to grow childcare capacity across the city and meet increasing demand from families.
During the open house, guests will also be invited to engage with a community tile mural, originally created by GE Aerospace employees during a volunteer event this past fall. Attendees will have the opportunity to paint and contribute a tile of their own, helping us create a welcome space for families and a space where kids can dream big!
Community members, partners, and media are encouraged to attend.
Event Details:
Location: St. George’s Episcopal Church, 30 N. Ferry Street, Schenectady (ELC Entrance on Green Street)
Date & Time: Thursday, January 29 | 4:30–5:30 PM
To donate to our Early Learning Center Expansion Campaign or learn more, visit https://www.ywca-neny.org/elc-expansion/
