Where We Are:
Administrative Offices:
33 Second Street
Troy, NY 12180
Phone: (518) 274-2607
Fax: (518) 271-8502
Contacts:
Christopher
Burke
Chief Executive Officer
cburke@unityhouseny.org
Karla
Digirolamo
Chief Operating Officer
kdigirolamo@unityhouseny.org
Gretchen
Senez
Director of Employee & Technical Services
gsenez@unityhouseny.org
Brian
Schneider
Director of Finance
bschneider@unityhouseny.org
History:
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 continues to help disadvantaged people
lead productive and healthy lives.
Board
& Officers - Click to view
Mission
- Click to view
