Two abandoned
apartments and four thousand dollars are scant resources to launch
an ambitious venture to help the poor. But 1971 was a time of
idealism and hope, and the founders of Unity House saw too much
need all around them to be deterred.
In July,
1971 a nun, Mary Jane Smith, and two Franciscan friars,
Regis Obijiski and Peter Callaghan, opened the
doors of a dilapidated building on Eighth Street that was to be
the base of their effort to reach out to the community.
According to
Mary Jane Smith, "We tried to be everything to every man, woman
and child who walked through the door."
They worked
with people to cut through the red tape of the welfare system,
prodded landlords to maintain housing for poor people and sought
jobs for people with limited skills.
During those
exciting first years, Unity House grew simply by responding to whatever
need seemed to present itself, from collecting and distributing
food and furniture to providing shelter for victims of domestic
violence.
Since its
inception in 1971, Unity House has grown to meet the increasing
needs of those living in Rensselaer County and surrounding communities.
Providing crisis intervention, advocacy, skills teaching, information,
resources, encouragement and support, Unity House continues to
help disadvantaged residents lead productive and healthy lives.
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