Northeast Career Planning at Unity House: helping people overcome barriers to employment NYSID, the NY State Industries for the Disabled, works with Unity House’s career planning program to help people achieve their career goals. NYSID awards a candidate with the William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award, recognizing exceptional performance. The award and those nominated highlight… more
October 20th Ribbon Cutting about more than Purple October is Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention Month. The signature color is purple and Wear Purple Day is October 20th, a fitting day to cut the ribbon on the new home for Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services Program, which will operate out of a building at 6… more
Newsletter Available Online The Unity House Newsletter is now available online. You can view it here: Unity House Fall/Winter 2022 Newsletter If you would like a hard copy of the newsletter mailed to you, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (518) 274-2633 x4133.
In Tribute: Jean Cavallo (1932-2022) In 1978 Jean Cavallo came to work with Mary Jane Smith at Unity House. It was a challenging time for Jean: her husband had become disabled and she had four small children at home. Jean started as a bookkeeper, taking on tasks, doing whatever she could to support the mission…. more
Times Record newspaper article, August 4, 1973 By Mary Lou Sims, Lifestyle Editor From a 1973 Troy newspaper article we recently discovered: a piece on the late Mary Jane Smith who, along with the late Peter Callagahan and Regis Obijiski, founded Unity House in 1971. This article makes reference to the great needs at the… more
Annual holiday program helps over 1,500 children across Unity House programs There are toys, games, balls, books, boots, blankets, and jammies. With the help of many generous elves, Unity House’s Children’s Holiday Program helps children in need have a magical holiday. There are several ways to get involved: buys gifts or host a toy drive… more
Meet Unity House’s Assistant Director of the NYS Domestic and Sexual Assault Hotline and PREA Hotline Casey Helmer came to know Unity House when she accepted an internship in the Domestic Violence Services Program. A criminal justice major, Casey was interested in the intersection of intimate partner violence and the justice system. After receiving her… more
Advocate in Action Susan Shipherd came to know Unity House through her friendship with the late Mary Jane Smith and John Lyons. Susan believed in the social justice work the pair were engaged in. Susan and her husband Jim supported Unity House and other causes by attending events, volunteering, and asking others to support the… more
Rising Costs in Food & Fuel For families facing food insecurity, access to a food pantry and grab-and-go meals can be a lifeline. This is especially true when the impact of inflation has families making painful spending trade-offs: Do I pay the rent or fill the cupboards? Unity House is proud to partner with neighboring… more
Have you seen the Unity House Ambassadors in downtown Troy? Maybe you saw them helping out at Summer Square, the Troy Waterfront Farmer’s Market, or directing visitors on their way to the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. Ambassadors are young adults enrolled in Unity House’s Community Ambassador Program. It is paid work that offers a… more