Our signature fundraising event, An Evening of Unity: A Cocktail Party with Purpose, on October 23, 2025, will honor Carol Gardner, Pat Harrington, and Tracie Killar, each exceptional individuals who helps make life better.

Founders Award: Carol Gardner and Pat Harrington

Pat and Carol have been friends since they met at nursing school in the 1960s. They each married and settled down in Wynantskill, where they became mothers and worked part-time as nurses at Troy’s St. Mary’s Hospital, now part of St. Peter’s Health Partners.

At that time, Unity House was just a seed of an idea for our founders, the late Mary Jane Smith, the late Peter Callaghan, and Regis Obijiski. Pat and Carol met Mary Jane at the bloodmobile parked at St. Jude’s School, where then-Sister Mary Jane Smith was the principal.

By 1971, the seed of an idea had blossomed into Unity House, founded on 8th Street in Troy, where Pat and Carol were among the first volunteers. Pat, Carol, and other volunteers helped clean and prepare the building, bringing a decrepit structure back to life.

The women put their public health skills to good use; Pat worked with young mothers, and Carol helped pioneer Unity House’s Mental Health programs. She and another early volunteer, Dr. Paul Bryon, were among the early employees of Unity House, creating Park House, the first mental health group home for Unity House. At a time when the state was moving to de-institutionalize people living with persistent mental illness, Carol recalls driving to a state facility and moving residents into Park House. Living in the community, clients can have greater autonomy while receiving assistance with medication in an environment that respects their dignity.

Both women were drawn to Unity House’s mission of treating people with respect and meeting them where they are. At the time, Unity House’s founders’ commitment to living among people experiencing poverty and asking them what they needed was revolutionary, a strict departure from the system of the time. Too often, Pat and Carol saw how people, especially young women and mothers, were treated by the public health system. For women who lacked resources and privilege, the treatment was startling. Both Pat and Carol recall a visit to the Public Health Department to discuss Unity House’s Outreach Program. As they sat in a waiting area, they heard staff refer to them as “the VD girls,” assuming they were there for the treatment of venereal disease, now commonly called sexually transmitted infections or STIs.

Throughout the 1970s and beyond, Pat and Carol stayed involved, often as a family affair. Carol hosted a boy in her home who was recovering from surgery and needed skilled nursing, and Mary Jane often called upon Pat to check in on a struggling family. They each did this volunteer work as working mothers. Both women have each served on the Unity House board of directors, volunteering their time and expertise. Pat recalls an early fellow board member, Kenny, a client who was asked by Mary Jane to join the board. Pat was the secretary on the board, a title that Kenny took quite literally. Thinking Pat was his personal secretary, Kenny called Pat for all sorts of secretarial work!

While both Pat and Carol have retired from full-time work, they remain public nurses at heart, working as advocates for marginalized individuals. Pat volunteers with refugee families, and Carol maintains a nursing practice dedicated to helping women. They are each steadfast supporters of Unity House, often our Traveling Summer Camp, which they started. In the summer, they would pile children in their station wagons and head to Grafton Lake, a place beyond the reach of most inner-city Troy youth of the time.

Pat Harrington and Carol Gardner each exemplify the spirit of the Unity House Founders Award, serving as inspiring examples and mentors. We are thrilled to present the Unity House Founders Award to Pat Harrington and Carol Gardner.

Community Hero: Tracie Killar, South End Children’s Cafe

Tracie Killar is the founder and director of the South End Children’s Cafe, where she leads with compassion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of children and families in Albany. A proud graduate of Albany High School (Cla

ss of 1981) and The College of Saint Rose (Class of 1986), Tracie has dedicated her entire career to the nonprofit sector.

Under her leadership, the South End Children’s Cafe has experienced tremendous growth and impact. Working alongside a devoted team of staff, an engaged Board of Directors, and passionate volunteers, the organization has served over 350,000 healthy meals and groceries to children and their families, while fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Tracie’s work has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Woman of Distinction Award, Women United Perfect Pitch Award, Vaughan Family Changemaker Award, SEFCU Why I Care Award, PBS Extraordinary Neighbor recognition, Rotary People of Action Award, Albany High School Alumni Award and the 2016 Jefferson Award Medalist. Most recently, Tracie shared the mission and impact of the Children’s Cafe on national television as a guest on The Kelly Clarkson Show.

Along with her Children’s Cafe family, Tracie is also the mom of six and grandmom of 7.

Tracie is deeply grateful for the nonprofit leaders and community members—past and present—who have paved the way and who continue to work tirelessly to make the world a better place to live for all.

We are thrilled to present Tracie Killar with Unity House’s Community Hero Award.

RSVP

Join the honorary committee, step up for sponsorship, or purchase tickets via this secure link.
Questions? Please call events coordinator, Moira Geracitano, at (518) 274-2607 x4135 or reach out at mgeracitano@unityhouseny.org